Lot
615 
Berthouds Mule Team Express, Pd 25¢, two-line rectangular framed handstamp frank at left on 3¢ pink (U59) buff entire to Philadelphia Pa., entered mails with blue "Treasure City, Nev. Sep 13" cds duplexed with circular grid cancel, Philadelphia (9.20) arrival backstamp; reduced at left from opening, F.-V.F. and rare, Thomas WC6650; signed Frajola as genuine. Thomas Nos. BRT-700 Estimate $500 - 750.
ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE BERTHOUDS MULE TEAM EXPRESS FRANK.
Silver was discovered in this area in 1867 and by November of that year, the first cabins were built on Treasure Hill. Treasure City was founded in 1868 in the White Pine Mining District and within a year had a population of 6000. The town reached its peak in 1869. By 1870, most of the population began to leave town, due to the lack of good ore. The business district was destroyed by fire in 1874 and never rebuilt. Very little is known about this express.
Realized: $750
Lot
616
Freeman & Cos. Express, Sonoma, two black oval strikes on 3¢ red Nesbitt buff entire with red "Paid, Freeman & Co's Express" ribbon frank to San Francisco Cal., Very Fine. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $140
Lot
617
Gregory's Express., two-line handstamp with matching bold "PAID." in oval handstamp on 1851 orange cover with fancy printed "Beatty House, Centerville, Grass Valley" corner card to San Francisco Cal., original letter datelined "Grass Valley Decr 28th. 1851" from J.W. Fish reading in part "…Our mining laws here expire on most of the Hill, on the 1st Jany & it is necessary having claims, on most of them that I should be here to present them or at least see that no advantage is taken of me…I have expended already a considerable in prospecting & shall be pretty hard up until I realise some thing from claims here…"; top edge tear and some wear, otherwise Very Fine. Estimate $400 - 600.
F.W. Fish was appointed the Recorder of Prospect Hill on February 25th 1852.
Realized: $800
Lot
618
Southern Overland Mail and Express Co., Barlow & Sanderson Proprietors, Principal Office, Pueblo, Col., corner card on cover with illustrated design showing Six-Horse Stage on Mountain Road, Stage with "Overland U.S. Mail, B. & S." imprint, bearing 3¢ green (207) tied by quartered cork, matching "Kansas City, Mo. Dec 31" cds at right; cover reduced at right slightly into illustration, otherwise Very Fine and scarce westward use, ex-Risvold. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Barlow and Sanderson was a dominant express company in southern Colorado and the San Juan Mountain region. It eventually gave way to the advancing railroads.
Realized: $950
Lot
619
Tracy & Co's, Express, Oakland, O., blue oval handstamp cancelling on 1861, 3¢ pink entire to Roseburg, Org., Wells, Fargo & Co. black printed frank, neat 1863 docketing at left, Very Fine. Scott Nos. U35 Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $200