Lot
506 
Gilbert & Hedges Express, Monterey, two strikes of oval handstamp (GIL-101), one cancelling on 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire addressed to "P. Ord Esq., U.S. Dist Attorney, Los Angeles, California"; entire with some small tone spots, Very Fine, ex-Dale-Lichtenstein; with 2004 P.F. certificate. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
THE FINER OF TWO KNOWN EXAMPLES OF THE GILBERT & HEDGES EXPRESS "MONTEREY" HANDSTAMP.
Gilbert & Hedges short-lived express operated around 1855 along the California coast from San Francisco south to San Diego. In 1854, the express firm Dillon, Hedge & Co. was located on Kearny St. near Merchant and it is believed that the Hedge of this firm is the same in the Gilbert & Hedges partnership. Only four Gilbert & Hedge's handstamps have been recorded. Two "Monterey" handstamp usages, one "San Diego" and one "San Francisco" handstamp (Wiltsee Collection) are known.
This cover is addressed to Pacificus Ord who was U.S. District Attorney at Los Angeles between December 1854 and August 1855. Pacificus was one of the framers of the California Constitution and, as most historians agree, that he along with his brothers are the illegitimate grandson of King George IV. Fort Ord is named after his brother Edward.
Realized: $1,600