Sale 1090 — United States, Possessions and Confederate States Stamps and Postal History
Sale Date — Wednesday-Friday, 17-19 December, 2014
Category — Fur Trade, Territorial, Western Mails & Expresses
(Alaska Fur Trade, 1831) "Brig Smyrna, laying Tongass (Russian Alaska) October 17th, 1831". Dateline on folded letter addressed to Charlestown (Boston) Mass., carried by ship to the U.S. east coast where it entered the mails with red "Nantucket Mass. May 9" oval datestamp with date in manuscript, matching "Ship" straightline handstamp and magenta "14 -1/2" rate, interesting content from Joseph Knox to his brother Henry related to his experience on the fur trade ship Smyrna and its captain "(who) has the name of being a great tyrant", discussion of the Northwest Coast (Alaska) and the Aleutian Islands, which he describes as a "dissipated place...They do not think it any disgrace to be seen drunk, and every other house is a grog shop or gambling house.", minor corner splitsVERY FINE. A RARE AND EARLY ALASKA COAST COVER TO THE UNITED STATES, SENT FROM A FUR TRADING VESSEL WHILE ALASKA WAS STILL A TERRITORY OF RUSSIA.
The Russian-American Company was chartered in 1799 to open new settlements in Alaska centered around the fur trade. As Russia struggled to supply the outposts and bring furs to market, American and British captains exploited the void and operated along the coast, often in fierce competition with one another. The American brig Smyrna was engaged in the sea otter fur trade during the period this letter was written. Sea otters were the main target of the trade until populations dramatically declined and the trade was forced to diversify.
Accompanied by transcript of letter and history of the fur trade and the Russian-American Company
Fort Towson Ark. Jun. 9. Clear strike of circular datestamp with manuscript "25" for over 400-miles rate on folded letter datelined "Folets Prairie, June 5, 1842" to Canton O., lengthy contents refer to the writer's location as 36 miles south of Fort Towson (where he posts his letters because it is "the nicest post office in the U.S."), across the Red River boundary of the Choctaw Nation, Very Fine early use posted in Indian Territory at Fort Towson which was situated near the confluence of the Kiamichi and Red Rivers and was renamed Doakesville in late 1847
"Natchez July 17th 1804". Manuscript pmk. with matching "Free" on folded letter to the postmaster at Vincennes Indian Territory, some slight splitting along folds expertly reinforced, Very Fine territorial marking
England to Wisconsin Territory via American Coffee House, 1836. Folded letter datelined "Aveley Dec. 1, 1836" in England and addressed "to the American Coffee House" in New York, red "New-York Ship Jan. 30" circular datestamp struck on arrival, redirected to Durango, Wisconsin Territory, where it was then redirected to St. Louis with "Dubuque W.T May 26" territorial circular datestamp on front and reverse, small faults incl. slight staining and splitting along folds, otherwise a Fine and scarce multi-directed cover to Wisconsin Territory
Original Orders to Outfit a Mormon Wagon Train, 1854-55. Group of 56 original documents, comprising 74 written pages involving the Perpetual Emigration Fund Co., a corporation established by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1849, to provide economic assistance to more than 30,000 individuals who sought to emigrate to Utah and surrounding regions, some expected age-related wear and faultsAN OUTSTANDING AND HISTORICAL GROUP OF DOCUMENTS REALTED TO THE PERPETUAL EMIGRATION FUND, DURING THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE MORMOM CHURCH.
This group was offered in a Siegel postal history sale in 1975. During a time when auction descriptions for even the most important items rarely took up more than three lines, we wrote a half-page description for this lot. It is quoted verbatim here.:
"This Fund financed an extensive Mormon Church directed program based on missionaries promising wondrous opportunities in Utah Territory; to poor European converts who would sign a bond promising repayment of emigration costs to the Church. Included are 43 different orders varying from $80 to $848 for delivery of oxen, wagons, and provisions for a wagon train leaving Atchison, Kansas Terr., on an 1855 Overland Trail trip to Salt Lake City. Several are A.L.S. by Erastus Snow, and eight are signed by him, including one shipping a yoke of cattle "if they live to go through" to his wife. Another has Snow's appendage relating to shipping "Doc Bernhisel's store and fixtures" on the wagon train. One is a scarce substitution order, another a rare receipt for team and provisions to be used as an order. Three orders provide for passage of lone women on the wagon train. Also four extensive lists of settlers indebted to the P. E. Fund showing wagon entry dates, those who married (several polygamous), etc. One long list of personal debts transferred to Brigham Young, Trustee, as a donation in 1860. Three estate records showing passage and freight emigration balances settled by transfer of decedent's clothing and sundries to the Fund. List of individuals payments not credited to Fund, 1862. List of 109 persons made by captain of wagon train in 1854, of indebtedness to Fund for flour supplied on the western trek. An 11 page trial balance sheet for P. E. Fund in 1857. And an 1871 letter soliciting funds for passage of federal law lowering emigration tax."
Extensive holdings of early original Mormon documents are seldom available, and this is a most unusual opportunity to acquire a well rounded group involving a fascinating and little known area of wagon train emigration to our western frontier
3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26). S.e. at right and rounded corner, tied by "San Francisco Cal. May ? 1860" circular datestamp on cover to Sacramento Cal., 4-Horse Stagecoach design with ms. lines thru "Per Overland Mail" and stamp positioned over "Via Los Angeles", Very Fine, rare intra-California use of this illustrated envelope, especially interesting with sender's obvious effort to change its meaning, ex Kutz
10c Green on Buff, Nesbitt entire (U18). Bold strike of "Placerville Cal. Dec. 11 (1858)" circular datestamp, addressed to New York with sender's directive "By Salt Lake", original enclosure written by the brother of the recipient referring to the newly built Salt Lake Stage Road (Chorpenning Route) and mentioning "we have a good wagon road over the dreaded Sierra Mountains to Carson Valley - constructed this season & is 85 miles long over which the mail from the States passes in a 4 horse coach or wagon weekly.", he goes onto say "I may send this by the Salt Lake Route so that it may pass over the same road that I did in coming out here...", and more, entire with piece of the backflap missing, Very Fine, incredibly fascinating historical content
Freeman & Co.'s California, Atlantic States and European Express. Printed frank (Haller FF7, Ty. 1) on 3c Red Nesbitt entire (U10) to Athens N.Y., uprated with 1c Blue, Ty. V and pair of 3c Dull Red, Ty. III (24, 26), tied by "San Francisco Cal. Apr. 11, 1861" circular datestamp, 3c stamps originally affixed over obsolete frank (lifted and hinged at lower left), Very Fine, by 1861 Freeman was out of business, but a few of the franked 3c entires were used in the Nichols correspondence (see Nathan p. 82 for another similar example), a fascinating use, with 1983 P.F. certificate
Langton & Bros. Express, French Corral. Ornately framed handstamp struck in blue on backflap of large part of greenish blue folded cover to the Surveyor General's Office in San Francisco, blue "Marysville Cal. 5 Jul. 19" integral-rate circular datestamp, no contemporary date but pencil note "1853" is probably accurate, Very Fine, this is an extremely rare Langton's marking, the town of French Corral was founded in 1849 and named for a Frenchman who built a corral for his mules, gold was later discovered there, accompanied by a letter from Mel Nathan noting that "this is one of the scarcest of all the Langton handstamps...4 I know of"
Henry Wells, William G. Fargo. Clear signatures as President and Secretary, on American Express stock certificate for 11 shares, dated March 19, 1863, blue handstamp "Authorized Capital 10,000 shares Feby 11th, 1863" struck twice, serial no. 1547, 5c Certificate (R24c) cancelled by "AE Co." handstamp, some minor edge nicks and faint toning, still Very Fine, an outstanding and rare signature combination from these two iconic express pioneers, American Express Co. was formed by the merger of the companies owned by Henry Wells (Wells & Co.), William G. Fargo (Livingston, Fargo & Co.) and John W. Butterfield (Wells, Butterfield & Co.), Wells and Fargo of course also founded Wells, Fargo & Co. in 1852
10c Green on Buff, Nesbitt entire (U18). Mostly clear strike of blue "Wells Fargo & Co. Express, San Francisco" oval handstamp with matching "Paid" in double-line oval at left, addressed to New York City with sender's "via Nicaragua" directive at top left, slightly toned, still Very Fine, carried outside the mails
10c Green on Buff, Nesbitt entire (U18). Red Wells Fargo & Co. printed frank, carried outside the mails to New York City and delivered by Metropolitan P.O. local post with its framed "C.O.D." handstamp, Fine and scarce, ex Dale-Lichtenstein
Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $1.00-$4.00 Horse & Rider Issues (143L1-143L5). Positions 16, 20, R5, 19 and 3 respectively, unused (no gum, a few h.r.), each with four margins incl. $1.00 Red with huge left margin, bright colors, $4.00 Green, $1.00 Red and $4.00 Black with tiny thin spots, Very Fine or appear so, the July 1, 1861 issue stamps (143L3-143L5) were issued under the terms of a government mail contract; therefore, they have semi-official status
Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $1.00-$4.00 Horse & Rider Issues (143L1-143L5). Positions 19, 19, R4, 4 and 3 respectively, unused (no gum, a few h.r.), each with four margins incl. couple quite large, fresh colors, $4.00 Green tiny corner crease, $1.00 Red slight bends, $2.00 Green thin spot, Very Fine or appear so, the July 1, 1861 issue stamps (143L3-143L5) were issued under the terms of a government mail contract; therefore, they have semi-official status
Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $1.00-$4.00 Horse & Rider Issues (143L1-143L5). Accumulation of 24 unused stamps (no gum), incl. one $2.00 Red, two $4.00 Green, 10 $1.00 Red incl. two pairs and one huge sheet margin single, six $2.00 Green incl. a pair, five $4.00 Black, mix of margins with many large and some touched, none cut in, few typical flaws incl. small thins, Fine-Very Fine with a number of attractive stamps
Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $2.00, $1.00 Horse & Rider Issues (143L1, 143L3). Each cancelled by blue San Francisco Running Pony oval datestamp, $1.00 faintly, clear margins to slightly in, both with thin spots, Fine appearing and attractive genuinely used examples
Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $2.00, $1.00 Horse & Rider Issues (143L1, 143L3). Each cancelled by blue San Francisco Running Pony oval datestamp, margins to cut in, faults incl. crease on first and small thins on second, scarce genuinely used
Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $1.00-$4.00 Horse & Rider Issues (143L3-143L5). Positions R17, 6 and 16 respectively, unused (no gum, a couple h.r.), each with ample to huge margins, bright colors, $1.00 Red slight margin crease, Extremely Fine set, these July 1, 1861 issue stamps were issued under the terms of a government mail contract; therefore, they have semi-official status
Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $1.00 Red, Broken Leg (143L3 var). Position R9, unused (no gum), large to ample margins, bright color, horizontal crease, Very Fine appearance and extremely rare, this is the most distinctive plate flaw found on any Pony Express stamp with only nine examples known to us (including four locked up in full sheets), with 2014 P.S.E. certificate (VG 50), undercatalogued in Scott
Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $2.00 Green (143L4). Clear margins to touched at right, strongly struck blue San Francisco Running Pony oval datestamp slightly indents stamp, manuscript offset on back from cover incl "Pony", Fine and rare, we have seen fewer than 10 genuinely used stamps plus the two recorded covers
Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express. ($1.00) Red Type II East-to-West Frank and “Agent of Pony Express, St. Joseph, Mo." on unused 10c Yellow Green entire (U40), also a clipped frank plus a second unused cover with the same Wells, Fargo frank alone, Very Fine and an affordable alternative to an East-to-West used Pony Express cover (the last one we sold realized $260,000), lot also incl. two express covers, 3c entire with "The Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company, Denver City K.T." oval (cover faulty) and 3c entire with Wells, Fargo frank and Forest City oval, small edge flaws, Fine
Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia City Pony Express, 10c Brown, 25c Blue, 25c Red (143L7-143L9). Small accumulation, four 10c Brown incl. one used single and unused pair, two 25c Blue, both used, six unused 25c Red incl. pair with large sheet margins from top row, couple small flaws, Fine-Very Fine, the 25c Red pair Extremely Fine
Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia City Pony Express, 10c Brown, 25c Blue, 25c Red (143L7-143L9). Complete set of the Virginia City issue, attractive margins just touched on a couple, each with blue Wells, Fargo double-circle datestamps, 10c Brown small tear at bottom, 25c Blue slight corner thins, still Fine appearing and attractive set
Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia City Pony Express, 10c Brown (143L7). Huge margin at left, ample to clear other sides, slight gum staining outside of edges, tied by blue Wells, Fargo oval datestamp on piece of 3c entire with printed frank, bleached by sunlight, otherwise Fine
Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia City Pony Express, 10c Brown (143L7). Large margins to just touching frameline at bottom left, stamp with trivial corner crease, tied by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co., Virginia City N.T., Sep. 23" oval datestamp with an additional strike at right on 3c Pink on Buff entire (U35) with printed frank to San Francisco, 1862 docketing at left, reduced at left, cover with opening tear at top rightVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND SCARCE COVER WTIH THE VIRGINIA CITY PONY EXPRESS 10-CENT BROWN.
The Virginia City Pony Express was established by Wells, Fargo and Co. in August 1862. This particular cover was taken by a rider to Placerville where it was taken by rail to Sacramento. From there, it was taken by steam boat to San Francisco. This reduced transit times from 44 hours to the advertised 24 hours.
Ex Moody and Risvold.
Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia City Pony Express, 25c Blue (143L8). Huge to large margins all around incl. part of adjoining stamps at top and bottom, tied by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co., Virginia City N.T., May 10" oval datestamp on 3c Pink on Buff entire (U35) with printed frank to San Francisco, reduced at leftEXTREMELY FINE AND ATTRACTIVE VIRGINIA CITY PONY EXPRESS COVER WITH THE 25-CENT BLUE HORSE & RIDER ISSUE.
Ex Risvold.
Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia City Pony Express, 25c Blue (143L8). Full to ample margins all around, tied by blue “Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia City. N.T. Sep. 7” oval datestamp on 3c Pink on Buff entire (U35) with Wells, Fargo & Co. printed frank to Sacramento, second strike over embossed stamp, backflap removed and reduced at top into frank but stamp is unaffected, Fine and attractive Virginia City Pony Express cover
Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia City Pony Express, 25c Blue (143L8). Full margins to just touched, tied by blue “Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia City. N.T. Jan. 19” oval datestamp on 3c Pink on Buff entire (U35) with Wells Fargo & Co. printed frank to San Francisco, second strike over embossed stamp which has been torn off, stamp with tiny toned spot, cover a bit rough but stamp is Fine, accompanied by second 3c entire with Wells Fargo frank to San Francisco
Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia City Pony Express, 25c Red (143L9). Large margins all around incl. frameline of adjoining stamp at right, bright color, blue Wells Fargo cancels, Extremely Fine, with 1991 A.P.S. certificate
Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia City Pony Express, 25c Red (143L9). Large margins to touched at top left and and upper right, tied by blue “Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia City. N.T. Apr. 12” oval datestamp on piece of 3c Pink on Buff entire (U35), Fine
Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia City Pony Express, 25c Red (143L9). Large margins to just touching frameline at left and bottom, tied by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co., Virginia City N.T., May 25" oval datestamp with an additional strike at right on 3c Pink on Buff entire (U35) with Wells, Fargo & Co. printed frank to San Francisco, cover with some opening faults incl. small piece reattached at rightFINE. A BEAUTIFUL 25-CENT RED VIRGINIA CITY PONY EXPRESS COVER.
Most of the 25-cent Red covers originate from the famous Crittenden correspondence. This cover, on the other hand, originates from the Shattuck correspondence.
With 2008 P.F. certificate.
Western Express Cover Collection. Outstanding group of 45 covers, wide range of companies and frankings with multiple varying examples of several companies, incl. J. Bamber, Freeman, Greenhood & Newbauer Hopkinson's Express, Langton's Pioneer Express, Pacific Express, Singer & Morrow's Feather River Express, Truman & Co., Wells, Fargo & Co., Wheeler's Express, Whiting & Co.'s Feather River Express, also name-of-boat covers incl. "Steamer Winfield Scott" and "Per. Str. Columbus", a few of the typical flaws but overall nice conditionVERY FINE. A DESIRABLE AND VALUABLE COLLECTION OF WESTERN EXPRESS COVERS.
Nearly all of the covers in this group were purchased by the owner as single lots in sales past, many with estimates of $500-$750 or more and a few over $1,000. Full scan available here:
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