Lot
483 
Adams & Co., 1853 (Jun. 1) San Francisco, Cal. to Glasgow, Scotland via Adams Express blue linen-lined Gibbs correspondence cover endorsed "per Str 'California' to Panama thence via N. York" and "p. Adams Cos. Express to be Mailed in N. York", carried out of mails by PMSS California from San Francisco Jun. 1st to Panama arriving Jun. 16th, then USMSC Georgia from Aspinwall Jun. 19th to New York arriving Jun. 29th, entered mails with black "New-York Am. Pkt. Jul 2" debit exchange cds and manuscript "84" rating for four-times the 21¢ rate, carried transatlantic by Havre Line Humboldt from New York Jul. 2nd to Southampton arriving Jul. 13th, red London (7.14.1853) transit back stamp and "4" shilling rating for the quadruple rate, Glasgow (7.14) arrival backstamp, Very Fine; signed Frajola. Estimate $500 - 750.
Realized: $425
Lot
484
Adams & Co., Over Our California and Coast Routes, Paid., octagon frank located at top right (ADA-001) of rebacked cover front to Los Angeles, Cal., with full clear strike of red "Adams & Co. Express, Monterey" oval handstamp (ADA-103a), Very Fine and choice appearance. Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
ONE OF ONLY FOUR PRINTED FRANKS USED WHILE ADAMS & CO. WAS STILL IN OPERATION.
This extremely rare printed frank was the very first express frank, used between very late 1854 and when Adams closed in February of 1855. Seven examples of this frank are known, however three where used after Adams had closed. Only three examples of the Adam's Monterey handstamp are known with this being the only one on a franked envelope.
This cover is addressed to Pacificus Ord who was U.S. District Attorney at Los Angeles between December 1854 and August 1855. Pacificus was one of the framers of the California Constitution and, as most historians agree, that he along with his brothers are the illegitimate grandson of King George IV. Fort Ord is named after his brother Edward.
Realized: $2,800
Lot
485
Adams & Co., Sonora, blue bold oval with matching boxed "Paid" handstamp on 1853 folded letter to San Francisco, written on Sept. 14 with manuscript "pr Adams & Co's Express" endorsement, fresh and Very Fine, ex-Lyons. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $300
Lot
486
Adams & Co., Sonora, May 17, red bold oval with matching "Paid" boxed handstamp on fresh blue folded letter to San Francisco, manuscript "pr Adams & Co's Express" endorsement, an Extremely Fine gem, Pictured in Letters of Gold. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $375
Lot
487
Adams & Cos. Express, Sonora, bold blue oval with matching "Paid" boxed handstamp on blue 1853 folded letter to San Francisco, written on March 30, 1853 and manuscript "pr Adams & Co's Express" endorsement, Extremely Fine and choice, Pictured in Letters of Gold., ex-Lyons. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $400
Lot
488
Adams & Co., Los Angeles, partial strike of red oval datestamp with matching "Paid" in oval handstamp on blue cover to Bidwells Bar, Butte County, Cal. bearing manuscript cancelled 1¢ blue, type IV (9) strip of three, deep rich color, large margins to in at bottom; blue "Adams & Co., San Francisco, Jan 22" double-circle datestamp, Very Fine and scarce use. Estimate $300 - 400.
The Adams location at Los Angeles is quite scarce as it was a small town at this time and had little to do with the gold rush.
Realized: $725
Lot
489
Adams & Co. Express, Monterey, large red oval handstamp (ADA-103a) on folded letter docketed "Monterey, Jany 2nd, 1855" to the California Farmer in San Francisco, with additional blue "Adams & Co., San Jose, Jan 6" oval transit date stamp (ADA-101), F.-V.F., one of three known examples of the Adams & Co. handstamp from Monterey, ex-Polland. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $240
Lot
490
Adams & Co. Express, Southern Coast., large red circular handstamp (ADA-107) on folded letter dated "May 11, 1854" and addressed to San Francisco dealing with timber on unfinished wharf at San Diego, manuscript "due 25 cts" pencil express and "per Str Southerner" ship endorsement; file folds and some light toning, otherwise Very Fine. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS EXTREMELY RARE SOUTHERN COAST HANDSTAMP IN RED - TWO OTHER EXAMPLES ARE IN BLUE WITH ONE RESIDING IN THE WILTSEE COLLECTION.
The Steamer Southerner was first outfitted for the Law's Line as the Steamer Isthmus (500 tones) and first arrived in San Francisco on May 9, 1850. The Isthmus was acquired by The Pacific Mail Line, renamed Southerner and in 1854 was operating between San Diego and San Francisco. She was lost on January 17, 1855 after striking a sand bar at the mouth of the Columbia River.
Realized: $525
Lot
491
Barlow, Sanderson & Co. The Great Southern Overland Mail & Express Co., letter datelined "Kansas City May 11 1866" from T.J. Barnum, a partner of the firm regarding its creation to his brother reading in part: "…Who ever heard of an old stager to quit untill he had to. I am in to for four years more when I hope to give up this wild life and stay at Home…I shall be in New Mexico Arrizona & Probably California as we have got the Great Southern Overland Mail & Express from the Missouri River to San Diego - the largest but one in the United States. The firm is Barlow Sanderson & Co. Your humble servant myself is the Co. thats where the joke comes in but I am the youngest Partner & the name is long enough so it won't do to cover the Stage all over with letters…", accompanied by original cover bearing 3¢ rose (65) tied by circle of wedges duplexed with "Kansas City Mo. May 12" cds to his brother at Middlefield Centre N.Y., Fine. Estimate $150 - 200.
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Realized: $210
Lot
492 
Carnes City Letter Express, red double line oval handstamp on unused envelope, Very Fine and rare (photo on web site). Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $80