Sale 62: Western Postal History

Lot 334    

(Eastern Sierra) Buckley's Express., Paid., blue boxed handstamp frank (BUK-100) at left of 1874, 3¢ green entire to San Francisco, entereed the mails with "Panamint, Cal, May 29" cds and quartered cork duplex, with black printed frank (WFE-030) at top, Very Fine, ex-Polland, Kramer and Myerson.
Scott No. U163    Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

ATTRACTIVE TO-THE-MAILS USAGE OF THE RARE BUCKLEY'S EXPRESS FRANK IN PANAMINT, CAL.

A scarce frank from this stage/express that ran between Bakersfield and the eastern Sierra Coso Mining District. They not only delivered the mails along the but deposited mail into the government system at stops along the route. Only two examples are recorded posted from the ghost town of Panamint, Inyo County.

Realized: $2,000

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Lot 335    

(Eastern Sierra) Esmeralda, Nev., cover to Sonora franked with 1861, 3¢ rose and tied by "Esmeralda, Nev, Jan 2, '66" cds and target duplex, carried from Big Pines, Inyo County (North of Independence, CA) by favor or local eastern Sierra Express, with enclosures; some cover corner wear, otherwise Very Fine.
Scott No. 65    Estimate $300 - 400.

Accompanied by two letters (Dec 28 & 30) enclosed from brother at Big Pine Saw Mill to Sonora, Cal. Great content in both letters, Mill is frozen due to weather, Christmas dance at Independence that had thirteen ladies, received your letter from Sonora, ten days in transit.

Realized: $400

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Lot 336    

(Eastern Sierra) Kenson's Owens River Express, Paid., black frank (KNS-001) at top center of cover to San Francisco, with "San Carlos Dist., Inyo" circular handstamp used by Kenson's Express (KNS-100), franked with 1861, 3¢ rose (tears) canceled by target handstamp and tied by "Esmeralda, N.T., Feb 24" where the cover entered the mails, manuscript "1398" which is believed to be the postal box for Mr. Doble; stamp and cover flaws including partial sideflap, tear at bottom left and small piece of corner restored at top left, none of which affect the express markings, F.-V.F. appearance, ex-Lichtenstein.
Scott No. 65    Estimate $5,000 - 7,500.

THE UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF THIS KENSON'S OWENS RIVER EXPRESS FRANK IN COMBINATION WITH THE SAN CARLOS DISTRICT HANDSTAMP.

Only one example from each of the two different frank types is known from this very rare Eastern Sierra/Nevada Express. This is considered to be the earlier example frank type of the two known and it is the only one that contains both the Kenson's Frank and Kenson hand stamp. The last time this item was offered in public was the Harmer Silver Sale of 1997. At that time this item sold for $4,250 plus commission. It is the key to any Inyo County Express Collection.

Realized: $8,500

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Lot 337    

(Eastern Sierra) Kenson's Owens River Express, Paid., red printed frank (KNS-002) at top of cover addressed to the Alta (newspaper) Office in San Francisco, franked with 1861, 3¢ rose (tears) canceled by "Esmeralda, Nev, Jul 20, '64" cds and target duplex where the cover entered the mails; stamp and cover flaws including edge wear, soiling and some toning, Fine appearance.
Scott No. 65    Estimate $5,000 - 7,500.

THE UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF THE RED KENSON'S OWENS RIVER EXPRESS PRINTED FRANK.

Only one example from each of the two different frank types is known from this very rare Eastern Sierra/Nevada Express.

Realized: $8,000

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Lot 338    

(Eastern Sierra) (Kenson's Owens River Pony Express.) San Carlos Dist., Inyo, Aug 15, 1863, black circular handstamp with pencil manuscript date (KNS-100) on 1861, 3¢ pink entire to San Francisco, blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express, Aurora" oval date stamp and black printed frank (type WFE-030) at top; some cover edge wear and small tears with partial backflap, F.-V.F.
Scott No. U35    Estimate $750 - 1,000.

ONE OF SIX EXAMPLES KNOWN OF THE KENSON'S SAN CARLOS DISTRICT CIRCULAR HANDSTAMP AND ONE OF TWO KNOWN IN CONJUNCTION WITH WELLS, FARGO & CO. EXPRESS.

All examples of this very rare hand stamp are known dating to the 1863-64 period. This cover was carried north by Kenson's pony rider from the area around Independence, Cal. to Aurora and placed in the hands of Wells Fargo for transportation to San Francisco.

Realized: $5,250

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Lot 339    

(Eastern Sierra) Keysville, Aug. 4 (Tulare), manuscript postmark (TUL-1460) on cover addressed to Vassalboro, Me., franked with manuscript canceled 1861, 10¢ green, carried from the "Owens River" Inyo Co. (July 27, 1862) by favor or local eastern Sierra Express, with original enclosure; small cover and stamp flaws, otherwise Very Fine.
Scott No. 68    Estimate $300 - 400.

Letter addressed to Father tells him that he is 300 miles from anyplace; I will come home when the War has ended. Very early, possibly the earliest posting from the Owens River, Inyo Co.

Realized: $600

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Lot 340    

(Eastern Sierra) Via Mohave & Keeler Stage Line, manuscript endorsement at bottom left of cover to Bishop, Cal., franked with 1899, 2¢ red tied by "San Fran. & Los Ang., R.P.O., Feb 14, 1900" duplex postmark, carried by stage to Bishop; slight cover reduction at left, Very Fine, a unique usage on this late letter stage line, ex-Polland.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

From Mohave the stage would run to Garlock, Randsburg and on to Keeler a distance of about 120 miles. At Keeler the letter would be place on the narrow gauge railroad and transported 75 miles North to Laws, from there it would move to Bishop which is about five miles distance.

Realized: $425

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Lot 341    

(Eastern Sierra) Panamint Pony Express via San Bernardino, Paid 25 Cents., black fancy pony rider frank (PAN-001) on 1870, 3¢ green entire addressed to Chester, Pa., entered the mails with blue "San Bernardino, Cal., Nov 5" cds and quartered cork handstamp canceling, reverse with printed "These Envelopes to be had" location notice which included Panamint, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and two locations in San Francisco; restored reduction at right slightly affecting indicia, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate    $2,000 - 3,000.

THE ONLY KNOWN USED EXAMPLE OF THE PANAMINT PONY EXPRESS FRANK ENTIRE.

It is believed that fewer than five unused examples of this frank are known. This express was the last pony service used in the old west. It was used to transport mail over a distance of 200 miles using six relays of horses between the ghost town of Darwin, Inyo County, thence over the Cajon Pass and on to San Bernardino, California.

Realized: $6,500

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Lot 342    

(Eastern Sierra) Silver Mountain, Cal., Cal., Aug 8 (Alpine), clear origin cds (ALP-230, R4) on 1868 cover to London, England, franked with 1861, 12¢ black canceled by cork handstamp, manuscript "Via overland to N.Y." routing endorsement, red "New York, Paid All, Aug 23" transit and red "London, Sp 7, 68" entry postmark, receiving backstamp, with original lengthy 3-page letter giving much information about many of the silver mines in the area and supplies a code for future letters, Very Fine.
Scott No. 69    Estimate $750 - 1,000.

Realized: $725

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Lot 343    

(Eastern Sierra) Telegraph Stage Company, Los Angelos, Jan 12, 1873, two strikes of cds (TEL-100) on reverse of 1870, 3¢ green entire to San Francisco, black "Telegraph Stage Line" boxed corner card used conjunctively with a vertical Wells, Fargo & Co. frank (WFE-020a) at left, January 15th receiving docketing on reverse, Very Fine.
Estimate    $1,500 - 2,000.

THE UNIQUE BLACK TELEGRAPH STAGE COMPANY CIRCULAR DATE STAMP ON ENTIRE BEARING THE ONLY KNOWN COMPANY CORNER CARD.

This corner card indicates that this service extended from Los Angeles to the back side of the Sierras into Lone Pine.

Realized: $4,500

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