Lot
2512 
California State Telegraph Co., printed cover with illustrated Zeus corner card used as a paste-up on 3¢ entire (U58) entire with Wells, Fargo & Co. company frank and cancelled by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co., Sacramento, Jul 9" double-circle datestamp, addressed to Knights Landing Cal., pencil 1867 docketing; opened for display, F.-V.F. and unusual use. Estimate $200 - 300.
Lot
2513
California State Telegraph Co., 1870, black & blue, complete sheet of 12 comprising two panes of six with horizontal interpane gutter, original gum, handstamped serial no. 104 on all stamps (some double strikes incl. top two stamps); slightly toned, light horizontal crease and central crimping at center as usual since these were folded and stapled into booklets, top right corner rounded, Fine. Scott No. 5T1 $9,500 as two panes.
ONE OF THREE RECORDED COMPLETE SHEETS OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE TELEGRAPH COMPANY 1870 "BUSINESS" FRANK STAMP. THIS IS THE LARGEST POSSIBLE MULTIPLE, A GREAT TELEGRAPH STAMP RARITY.
The California Telegraph Company was the product of the 1861 consolidation of four companies responsible for the first transcontinental telegraph line. The 1870 Blue & Black typeset "Business" frank was the first issue. The black type was printed from a setting of six subjects repeated twice in a sheet of 12, with a blue background of ornaments also arranged in six subjects repeated twice in a sheet. Position 1 (top left in each pane of six) has an inverted ornament in the blue background at lower left (bottom row, second ornament), which breaks the pattern of diamond shapes. Position 3 has a repeating flaw in the "F" of "Free".
Booklets of 100 stamps were made by inserting 16 panes of 6 (96 stamps total) plus four additional stamps. The Kramer book speculates that stamps with red crayon serial numbers were added to the the booklets to make up the 100 count.
Lot
2514
California State Telegraph Co., 1870, black & blue, exceedingly well centered within large margins, red crayon serial no. 104, bright color, o.g., fresh and Extremely Fine, one of the finest recorded examples, ex-Scarsdale; with 2000 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 5T1 $650.
Realized: $500
Lot
2515
California State Telegraph Co., 1870, black & blue, nicely centered, bright color, red handstamp serial no. "104", o.g., usual brownish and just a hint of toning. Scott No. 5T1 $650.
Realized: $130
Lot
2516 
California State Telegraph Co., 1870, black & blue, block of four with interpane selvage at bottom, never hinged o.g. (brownish as usual), Fine and scarce multiple. Scott No. 5T1 $2,600.
Lot 2517 o
California State Telegraph Co., 1870 "Business" Frank Booklet Cover, black on pink with 1870 year date, red "Business" imprint and "104" handstamped serial number, manuscript endorsement to "Placerville & SV RR Co." for 100 messages between "Sacramento and Shingle Springs"; small flaws, creased with some hinged reinforcing along splits, Fine and exceedingly rare.Scott No. for 5T1 Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
This booklet originally contained 100 copies of the 1870 "Business" stamp (5T1). Original telegraph booklets are generally scarce, but this early California State Telegraph Co. first-issue booklet is of the greatest rarity. Siegel offered a similar booklet cover used by Placerville & SV RR Co. in sale 1090 that realized $2,415.
Realized: $675
Lot
2518
California State Telegraph Co., 1870, black & red, nicely centered, nat. s.e. at right, o.g., hinge remnant, F.-V.F. and scarce; with 2016 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 5T2 $375.
Realized: $210
Lot
2519 ()
California State Telegraph Co., 1871, black & red, imperf, huge margins, strong color; minor margin flaws including left vertical crease and upper right corner thin, Extremely Fine appearance. Scott No. 5T3a $2,500.
AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 1871 BLACK AND RED CALIFORNIA STATE TELEGRAPH CO. STAMP, ONE OF ONLY TWO WE HAVE RECORDED.
Realized: $1,450
Lot
2520 ()
California State Telegraph Co., 1871, black & red, imperf (privately perfed), well centered with s.e. at right, beautiful rich colors, we believe this was originally imperforate and later privately perforated, without gum, Very Fine appearance. Scott No. 5T3a var.; $875 Estimate $500 - 750.
The perforate version of this stamp (5T3) is exceptionally rare and was missing from both the Lilly and Born collections. This makes us wonder if it was in fact only "issued" imperforate without gum, and maybe should be considered an essay.
Realized: $600
Lot
2521
California State Telegraph Co., 1871, black & salmon, without book number, well centered with large margins and right selvage, bright and fresh, o.g., tiny thin spot, Extremely Fine appearance. Scott No. 5T4 var. $650.
Realized: $270