Lot
523 
S. Hervey's Express/Nevada. Cal. Black express company handstamp on wonderful illustrated cover of May, 1859 issue of Hutchings' California Magazine (front cover only, remaining pages not present), Very Fine, corner erosion barely touching express marking, Very Fine. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Samuel Hervey Jr. unsuccessfully attempted to secure the Nevada City postmaster's position in 1853 when the incumbent postmaster incurred the wrath of the populace due to his "inattention and inefficiency". Rebuffed in his efforts, by 1855 he had become a messenger for Adams & Co's Express. After the failure of Adams & Co., he tried various vocations before starting Hervey's Express in Nov. of 1858, he having purchased the route from its former unnamed owner. Running from Nevada City to the principal points in Little York Township, Hervey passed through Red Dog, Little York, Dutch Flat and intermediate places, from whence he returned to Nevada City. Hervey ran his express for about 17 months, selling out to James McLearn in April of 1860. Hervey spent his last years in San Francisco, dying there on Oct 30, 1879, aged 60 years and 10 months.
Hervey's Express carried this periodical a little more than a year after the enterprise began, the handling of newspapers and periodicals being an integral role of Western Expresses in addition to their traditional function as letter carriers. Discovered by Ken Harrison while looking through a book dealer's stock of ephemera in 1975, this item remained unique until a second example turned up on a severely damaged cover a few years ago.
A key addition to any Western Express collection, this item is ex-Edwards and ex-Vogel.
Realized: $1,000