Lot
477 
(Mail Routes) 1851 (Apr. 26) New York N.Y. to San Francisco Cal., datelined blue Gibbs correspondence folded letter endorsed "pr Steamer Prometheus" ship endorsement, reverse with clear full strike of red "Forwarded Through Gilpin's Exchange, Reading Room and Foreign Letter Office, N-York" oval handstamp, Berford & Co.'s Express red "Paid" handstamp, carried by Vanderbilt Line Prometheus departing New York Apr. 28th to Charges arriving May 5th, then PMSS Isthmus from Panama May 20th to San Francisco arriving Jun. 7th, pencil "Rec'd per Isthmus June 7/51" pencil inside docketing, Extremely Fine, a wonderful express usage sent on Vanderbilt's Independent Line, ex-Walske. Estimate $300 - 400.
Reference: Illustrated in Coburn's Letters of Gold on p. 92.