Lot
3165 
Alta Express Co., printed illustrated river scene frank showing steamboat, on 3¢ red (U10) buff Nesbitt entire cancelled by red "Alta Express Company, Sacramento" oval handstamp to Auburn Cal.; small part of flap missing, Very Fine, ex-Knapp, Barkhausen. Thomas No. ALT-001 Estimate $300 - 400.
After the failure of the Pacific Express in April 1857, Belam, Farrington and Frost formed Alta Express. They operated throughout the northern and central part of California. They connected at Marysville with Everts, Wilson & Co., Langton Pioneer Express, Whitney & Co. Feather River Express and Yuba Express. From their main office in San Francisco they connected with Freeman Express for British Columbia and the Atlantic States, and Nichols Express for Oregon and Washington. After about a year they sold out to Wells Fargo.