Sale 51: United States Postal History

Lot 1294    

Langton's Pioneer Express, Orleans Flat, greenish blue double-lined oval handstamp on 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire with black company frank, to Sacramento street address with request to "please deliver this immediately"; skillfully repaired at left & on part of top backflap, handsome Very Fine appearance, a very scarce usage from Orleans Flat.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Realized: $290

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Lot 1295    

Langton's Pioneer Express, Paid, black company frank on 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire to San Francisco, cancelled by blue oval "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express Nevada" handstamp, with additional "May 8" date stamp, Very Fine, a nice conjunctive usage.
Estimate    $100 - 150.

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Lot 1296    

Langton's Pioneer Express, San Juan, blue oval handstamp, with bold blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Nevada" dated handstamp, on 1861, 3¢ pink entire with black printed company frank, to San Francisco; bit reduced at left, otherwise Very Fine, a very rare conjunctive usage from San Juan.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $200

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Lot 1297    

Nichols & Co.'s Express, Paid., fancy illustrated printed frank on cover to San Francisco, franked with manuscript canceled 1857, 3¢ dull red additionally tied by red "Nichols & Co's Express, San Francisco" oval handstamp; minor tone spots, Very Fine, a very rare Nichols & Co.'s Express usage with only a few known bearing their San Francisco handstamp.
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

C. P. Nichols and Edward Ludlow started their express in the spring of 1858, carrying mail between San Francisco and San Jose, and eventually expanding their routes northward; their distinctive express frank pictures a dog guarding a safe, sailing schooner, steam vessel and railroad train, and it was printed on plain envelopes and on 3¢ entires. Nichols & Co. eventually sold out to American Express, who adopted the same woodcut frank.

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Lot 1298    

Overland Mail Co., Salt Lake, Utah, printed 3-line corner card on cover to Ohio, franked with grid cancelled 3¢ rose (pulled perf), matching clear "Salt Lake City U.T., Jan 8" cds; cover with reduction at sides and small tear at left, F.-V.F.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $210

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