Sale 1232 — United States Stamps and Postal History
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 30-31 March, 2021
Category — Local Posts and Independent Mails
Adams & Co.'s Express, Cal., 25c Black, "ICW" (Isaiah C. Woods) Initials in Black (1L2). Complete sheet of 40, unused (no gum), large margins all around, several stamps have slight wrinkles (very trivial)EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE FEW REMAINING INTACT SHEETS OF THE ADAMS & CO. CALIFORNIA EXPRESS STAMP -- INITIALLED BY ISAIAH C. WOODS, A PARTNER IN THE ADAMS FIRM. A TRULY REMARKABLE EXHIBITION ITEM.
The California branch of the Eastern express company founded by Alvin Adams was established late in 1849, following the discovery of gold that led to the great Gold Rush. Under the direction of Daniel H. Haskell, the Adams firm prospered as an express company and banking house in California. In 1855, in the midst of a national banking crisis, the firm was dissolved, and its express business was taken over by Freeman & Co. Isaiah C. Woods, whose name appears in the minute copyright inscriptions along the sides of the design, initialed each of the stamps in this sheet. Woods left for Australia after the Adams California branch folded. Haskell's portrait appears on the different Adams stamps, which were used to prepay express charges on letters carried by Adams & Co. Their rarity suggests that they were not issued until soon before the firm collapsed (the copyright is dated 1853).
Ex Boker and Golden. With 1973 P.F. certificate. Scott value $3,600.00 as blocks and singles
Adams & Co.'s Express, Cal., 25c Black on Pink Glazed Card (1L3). Complete sheet of 40 of the so-called "Poker Chip" stamp, Position 30 shows retouched flaw over bottom right "25", large margins, fresh and Extremely Fine, ex Golden, Scott value as blocks and singles
Adams & Co. Express, New York. Red shield corner card with "16 Wall St." address crossed out, on dark buff cover to "Purser of the steamer New Orleans, Care of Geo. W. Mouton Esqr., Adams & Co., Melbourne, Australia", routed "pr. Carrington", pencil receipt docketing indicates arrival in Sydney on Nov. 10, 1853, minor edgewear, Very Fine and rare Adams & Co. Express use to Australia office, ex Knapp and Golden
American Letter Mail Co., 5c Black, Reprint Plate Proof on Card (5L1P). Complete pane of 20, on 8-1/2 x 11 in. card, impression at left shows traces of corrosion on plate after cleaning, Very Fine and scarce card proof (probably by Holton), ex Golden
American Letter Mail Co., 5c Black (5L1, 5L2). Two covers, No. 5L1 with three huge margins, touched at bottom left, tied by typical ink smear on folded cover to Philadelphia, may have originated in Baltimore, undated and no other confirmation of origin, Fine, only a few American Letter Mail covers recorded from Baltimore, ex Kelly and Golden, second cover with No. 5L2, three large margins, touched at right, uncancelled and used on folded letter datelined Bangor Me. Dec. 10, 1844, to Boston with red Gilman's Express oval and American Letter Mail red oval handstamps, a Fine and scarce conjunctive use but 2000 P.F. certificate states stamp did not originate because it is affixed over a "Paid" handstamp -- we believe this opinion is in error -- the "Paid" handstamp was applied by Gilman to credit ALM, a genuine usage in our opinion
Barr's Penny Dispatch, Lancaster Pa., (unstated value) Red (8L1). Unused (no gum), ample to full margins, small faults, Very Fine appearance, the Red Barr's Penny Dispatch stamp is extremely rare, we have not offered another example since our 2006 sale of the Kuphal collection, ex Golden, with 2000 P.S.E. certificate
Bayonne City Dispatch, N.J., 1c Black (9L1). Large margins, slightly creased, tied by purple target with matching "Bayonne City, May, 9, 1883, Dispatch Paid" three-line datestamp on local cover, reduced one inch at left, still Fine, accompanied by an unused entire with purple impression of stamp, Very Fine, ex Golden, Scott value $750.00
Beesley's Express Post, Utica N.Y. Three-line handstamp "G. N. BEESELY'S/EXPRESS POST,/UTICA,N.Y." on beautifully illustrated bronze Valentine cover to local street address, with handwritten Valentine poem enclosure, very slight wear around edgesVERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THIS VALENTINE LOCAL POST IN UTICA, NEW YORK.
Another style of Beesely marking is pictured in the American Stampless Cover Catalog and was offered in our 2006 sale of the Kuphal collection. Both styles are very rare.
Ex Golden
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