Lot
870 
Hunter & Co.'s / Express, red company handstamp (HUN-100) on buff cover originating from Maine to Sacramento, Cal., postmarked "Waldoboro Me 9 Oct" cds with "10" manuscript rate marking; additional "Hunter & Co. Express" Running Pony oval (HUN-101) with routing to "Eldorado Slide" manuscript applied by Hunter's in Sacramento as well as "1.35" rate marking ($1.25 express fee plus 10¢ postage); cover silked with professional edge restoration, handsome Very Fine appearance.Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
THE ONLY REPORTED EXAMPLE OF THIS HUNTER'S HANDSTAMP IN RED (OTHERS KNOWN IN BLACK AND BLUE) AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE WITH THIS COMBINATION OF EXPRESS HANDSTAMPS.
Alexander Hunter was the principal proprietor of the first of the two Hunter & Co.'s Expresses, announced as a new express on Feb 5, 1851, serving the mining camps on the South, Middle, and North Forks of the American River. Hunter's connected with at first with Gregory's Express and later with Adams & Co.'s Express. Alexander Hunter left the firm in the spring of 1852 and departed for the Eastern States. The Jul 30, 1852 Sacramento Union noted Hunter's return from the East, but also stated that eight individuals (none from the original company) were co-partners under the name of Hunter & Co.'s Express. Alexander Hunter became their agent at Placerville, and was the de-factor Wells, Fargo & Co. agent there as well. Hunter & Co.'s Express sold out to Wells, Fargo & Co., as announced in the Jul 15, 1854 Placerville Mountain Democrat, effective Jul 1, 1854.
Realized: $1,300