Lot
4428 
Gregory's, Express Office., San Francisco, blue three-line handstamp with matching "Paid" oval handstamp on 1851 cover with original enclosure datelined "Brooklyn Sept 27. 1851" and addressed to San Francisco Cal., redirected back to New York City by Gregory's office, pencil docketed "Recd in N.Y. Decr. 19/51" at left, Very Fine and unusual redirected letter routed "Via Panama" on the first trip and "Via Nicaragua" on the return trip. Estimate $300 - 400.
Letter was routed from New York Sep. 27th 1851 on the "Illinois" arriving at Chagres Oct. 5th and departed Panama Oct. 17th on the "Panama" arriving at San Francisco Nov. 4th. On the return passage letter was routed from San Francisco on the "Gold Hunter" to San Juan Del Sur, then by the "Daniel Webster" from San Juan del Norte Dec. 9th to New York arriving Dec. 19th.
In 1850 Joseph W. Gregory founded his Express Company with offices in San Francisco and New York as well as in a number of the principle mining towns of California like Sacramento City and Maysville. Heavy competition from both Adams' Express and the many small carriers resulted in Gregory gradually fragmenting the business by selling parts and closing down and leaving for New York on May 1st 1853.
Realized: $300