Lot
503 
Freeman & Co.'s, Sacramento, Nov 2, blue over handstamp on 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire to San Francisco, red ribbon frank and Klopstock & Co. corner card at lower left; small corner nick at top right, otherwise Very Fine. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $110
Lot
504 
Frey's Valentine Express, red advertising corner card on unused buff cover, with "With Compliments of St. Valentine" above address, Very Fine, a rare San Francisco Valentine local. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $110
Lot
505
(Gahagan & Howe) City, G. & H. Express, 423 Washn. St. S.E. Cor., Sansome St., sharp bold blue oval handstamp on stampless envelope for local San Francisco delivery, red "F. Boilleau, San Francisco" company sender's handstamp; repaired cover nick at top and light edge wear, otherwise Very Fine, a lovely example of this short lived company which delivered mail locally in San Francisco. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $400
Lot
506
Gilbert & Hedges Express, Monterey, two strikes of oval handstamp (GIL-101), one cancelling on 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire addressed to "P. Ord Esq., U.S. Dist Attorney, Los Angeles, California"; entire with some small tone spots, Very Fine, ex-Dale-Lichtenstein; with 2004 P.F. certificate. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
THE FINER OF TWO KNOWN EXAMPLES OF THE GILBERT & HEDGES EXPRESS "MONTEREY" HANDSTAMP.
Gilbert & Hedges short-lived express operated around 1855 along the California coast from San Francisco south to San Diego. In 1854, the express firm Dillon, Hedge & Co. was located on Kearny St. near Merchant and it is believed that the Hedge of this firm is the same in the Gilbert & Hedges partnership. Only four Gilbert & Hedge's handstamps have been recorded. Two "Monterey" handstamp usages, one "San Diego" and one "San Francisco" handstamp (Wiltsee Collection) are known.
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: $1,600
Lot
507
Gilbert & Hedges Express, Monterey, oval handstamp (GIL-101) on uncanceled 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire addressed to San Francisco, Very Fine, ex-Jessup. Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
ONE OF TWO KNOWN EXAMPLES OF THE GILBERT & HEDGES EXPRESS "MONTEREY" HANDSTAMP.
Gilbert & Hedges express operated around 1855 for approximately six months along the California coast from San Francisco south to San Diego. They may have extended as far south to the ports along the cost of Mexico and South America.
Lot
508
Gilroy and Havilah Telegraph Line, U.S. Mail Stage Via Firebaugh's, Kingston, Visalia, White River, Linn's Valley, Kernville and Havilah, corner card on cover addressed to San Jose, Cal., franked with 1869, 3¢ ultramarine tied by grid handstamp, matching "Visalia, Cal, Nov 29" cds alongside; cover tear at top and slight reduction at left, otherwise Very Fine, with only two examples of this very rare stage service are known and both have been out of collector hands for many years, one is posted November 21 and this example is posted November 29, both examples going to the same address in San Jose. Scott No. 114 Estimate $500 - 750.
Realized: $400
Lot
509
Gregory's Express "Pocket Letter Book", unused 1851 gold on black glazed letter book, Thompson & Hitchcock imprint, printed by Nesbitt & Co., with original buff envelope, Extremely Fine and choice. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $130
Lot
510
Gregory's Express, Pocket Letter Book, unused 1851 gold on black glazed letter book, Thompson & Hitchcock imprint, printed by Nesbitt & Co., Extremely Fine and choice. Estimate $150 - 200.