Lot
173 
(Overland Mail Routes), Overland/Via/Los Angeles. Three-line imprint in red on 1853-55 10¢ green on buff Nesbitt entire to Rehoboth, Mass. with clearly struck San Francisco/Sep. 2, 1859 cds, few tiny age specks and a tiny tear at left, Very Fine and choice. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
In September 1858 the Overland Mail Company started regular semi-weekly stagecoach service along the so-called "Butterfield Route" between San Francisco and St. Louis via Los Angeles. A variety of markings, printed and handstamped, were used on mail to designate this route. This "Overland via Los Angeles" three-line imprint is found on 3¢ and 10¢ Nesbitt entires, in red or black, with or without the Wells, Fargo & Company's frank, and one plain envelope. There are approximately 18 entires in total (excluding the plain envelope with a 10¢ adhesive) are recorded. There are 9 on the 3¢ and 9 on the 10¢.
This is one of only eight or nine 10¢ imprinted entires. Further, it is one of two examples with only red imprint on an entire without the Wells, Fargo & Co. frank.
Realized: $2,100