Lot
992 
Berford & Co.'s California Express, black on white label affixed on back flap of blue folded letter datelined "New York May 15th 1852" to San Francisco, red "Berford & Co., Letter & Package Express, California" shield handstamp and matching "Collect" straightline handstamp, carried by U.S. Mail Steamship Co. Illinois from New York to Aspinwall, across the Isthmus by canoe and mule to Panama City, then PMSS California to San Francisco, business letter mentions "…this I send by private Express mail per Steamer "United States." She sails Today to connect with the Winfield Scott at Panama.", some splitting at the folds, bleach spots and edge wear at upper right, F.-V.F. and rare early transcontinental westbound express cover. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED USES OF THE BERFORD & CO.'S ADVERTISING LABEL.
By May 1852, Berford's 3 Broad Street office in New York City had been closed, so the label shows the address crossed out.
References: Illustration example of BER-400 in Thomas express book.
Realized: $2,100