J. Hawes and Co's San Francisco & New York Express was formed by Joseph Hawes and Charles Lumbard on December 13, 1854. Although the express advertised to carry express matter on via Panama as well as via Nicaragua, the reported uses on cover were all carried via Nicaragua
 

J. Hawes & Co., S.F. & N.Y., Express, double circle handstamp struck twice on reverse of cover to West Brook, Connecticut, prepaid double rate with strip of four 3c dull red (#11) tied by New York Steamship arrival postmarks, cover restored, five reported examples of this express, ex Vogel and Walske

(page image, stock #9102, $3,500) (sold)

J. Hawes & Co., S.F. & N.Y., Express, double circle handstamp struck twice on reverse on 6c green Nesbitt entire to Boston, carried via Nicaragua by Vanderbilt Line steamers (Uncle Sam dep San Francisco April 9, arv San Juan Del Sur Apr 21, Star of the West, dep San Juan del Norte Apr 23, arv New York May 2, 1855), entered the Mails with New York, Ship May 3 arrival postmark, cover has been cleaned and restored, five reported examples of this express, ex Knapp, Barkhausen and Whitington

(page image, stock #9051, $2,000) (sold)

(page image, stock #9052, $4,500) (sold)

(page image, stock #9053, $6,500) (sold)

(page image, stock #9054, $8,000) (sold)

S. C.  Haydon, a merchant in Petaluma, established his express to handle mail in Sonoma and Marin County towns near San Francisco.
 

Haydon's Express, Paid frank in box at left with: "Between Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Russian River, Heald's Store, Godwin's Rancho, Ray's House, and The Geysers. Also, to Bodega, Tomales and San Rafael, connecting with the 'Pacific' (express) at Petaluma" text on 3c red Nesbitt entire addressed to Genl. J. W. Denver at Washington D.C., conjunctive use with Pacific Express oval "Petaluma" handstamp, carried by Pacific Express via Nicaragua by Vanderbilt Line steamers (Uncle Sam dep San Francisco February 20, arv San Juan Del Sur mid Mar 2; Northern Light, dep San Juan del Norte March 5, arv New York March 13, 1856), posted by the express after arrival in New York with their March 16 postmark, the only recorded example of Haydon's Express frank, illustrated in Nathan and Letters of Gold, Page 195, ex Jessup, Pearce, Haas, Edwards and Whitington

(page image, stock #9055, $9,500) (sold)

Hoffman & Co's express was founded by William M. Hoffman who first advertised a single express messenger returning from San Francisco to New York in February 1850. Apparently he operated briefly carrying mail from Sacramento the mines. In December 1850 he advertised with his brother as merchants in Sacramento selling miner's supplies. The notice shown below lists over 500 letters remaining at Hoffman & Little's Express, which can be found at Gregory's Express office. By May 17, 1851 Hoffman and Little are listed as Gregory's agents in Nevada City.

(page image, stock #9056, $3,500) (sold)

Alexander Hunter launched his express service with a small newspaper notice in the March 27, 1851 Sacramento Transcript stating "will leave for Coloma, Placerville and towns in that vicinity." In April he appears listed by Palmer's Express as their conjunctive express serving the area. By May he advertised as serving all forks of the American River. He later allied with Gregory's and Adams expresses before selling to Wells Fargo & Co. in July 1854 and becoming their agent in Placerville.
 

Hunter & Co's Express, blue oval handstamp on cover inbound to the mines, manuscript Spencersburg, Missouri April 1 (1851) postmark and "40" due rate, faint red Sacramento City postmark and their "Adv." advertised handstamp, carried by Hunter's from the Sacramento City post office to the addressee in Spanish Bar with manuscript express notation of location and "$1.70" express rate due, faults, fewer than five reported examples of this handstamp, ex Whitington

(page image, stock #9058, $350) (sold)

[Hunter & Co's Express], inbound cover to Beals Bar with red May 22 (1851) Boston, Massachusetts postmark and "40" due rate handstamp, picked up by Hunter & Co's Express for delivery to Beals Bar, $1.60 due although not marked, Hunter's Express served Beal's Bar and the handwritten "$" sign matches other Hunter covers, ex Kutz

(page image, stock #9059, $150) (sold)

Hunter & Co's Express, horseman illustrated double oval handstamp on 1851 folded letter inbound to the mines, red Griggsville, Illinois Jul 21 postmark red "10" due rate, carried by Hunter's from the Sacramento City post office to the addressee in "Humbug" with manuscript express notation and "$2.00" express rate due, aged, PF cert, ex Haas, Kutz, Vincent and Walske

(page image, stock #9057, $2,500) (sold)

Hunter & Co's Express Mormon -  Island, ornamented fancy oval handstamp on cover inbound to Mormon Island and endorsed to go to Murderer's Bar, manuscript "1.25" total due Hunter, red Boston 6 cts origin postmark and "Paid" handstamp, to San Francisco and with "Fd 5" due for mail carriage to Mormon Island, cover soiled, three reported examples of this handstamp, ex Dale-Lichtenstein and Walske

(page image, stock #9060, $3,500) (sold)

Hunter & Co's Express Auburn / Forwarded By, fancy bluish green shied handstamp on cover by mail to Sacramento, "Free E.M. Towle, P.M." frank of Avon, Maine postmaster, originally endorsed "New Castle" and "1.25" total due Hunter, docket at lower left: "Received at Secret diggins ravine May 5th 1852," PF cert, two reported examples of this marking, ex Kutz and Walske

 (page image, stock #9061, $7,500) (sold)

[Hunter & Co's Express], inbound 1852 folded letter with pair 3c dull red (#11, pre affixing tear in half and faulty) tied by Farmington, Maine postmark, manuscript docket "Received at Taylor's Ravine by express Oct 27/52 Cal," same Towle addressee as previous cover, ex Hazelton

(page image, stock #9062, $300) (sold)

Samuel W. Langton operated as an express man, either alone or in various partnerships from 1850 until 1864. He formed Langton & Brother's Express with his brother in November 1853. They operated from Marysville up the Yuba River to Nevada City and Downieville. The brothers sold out to Adams Express on February 21, 1855, just two days before Adams collapsed.
 

Langton & Bro.'s Express, Nevada, Forwarded By, red three line handstamp on folded July 1854 letter from Rocky Hill, Kentucky to Nevada City by government mails, 6¢ postage prepaid with two copies 3c dull red (#11) tied, picked up by Langton & Brother's Express with the Nevada Office handstamp for delivery to New Orleans Flat, the only reported example of this handstamp, ex Hass, Vogel and Walske

(page image, stock #9063, $5,000) (sold)

Samuel W. Langton and N. W. Williams formed Langton's Pioneer Express in March 1855 following the collapse of Adams Express in February. Langton had already been in the express business on his own or with partners since 1850. When started his extensive routes from the mining areas included steamboat service from Marysville and Sacramento to San Francisco. He began connecting with Wells, Fargo at Marysville in 1857 and quit the steamboat route. In early 1865, after the death of Sam Langton in 1864, the firm was sold to Lamping & Co's Express.

Langton's Pioneer Express Paid, medallion frank on 10c green Nesbitt entire to Illinois, entered the mails with blue Marysville, Cal, Paid By Stamps Jun 4 blue postmark and grid cancel

(page image, stock #9064, $800) (sold)

Leland and David McComb formed a new partnership in August 1854 connecting San Francisco, Monterey, Santa Barbara, San Pedro, Los Angeles and San Diego by steamers and was termed "Leland & McComb's Southern Express" to differentiate it from their Crescent City Express between San Francisco, Humboldt Bay and Crescent City. The firm was out of business in October 1855.

Leland & McComb's Southern Express, double lined oval handstamp and matching "Paid" handstamp on embossed lady's cover to Walden, New York, short paid 6c rate with single 3c dull red (#11) tied by San Francisco Cal Dec 1 postmark, "Due 5" handstamp, two reported examples of this Southern Express handstamp, ex Emerson, Knapp, Haas, Vogel and Walske

(page image, stock #9065, $7,000) (sold)

Joseph M. Mumby formed Mumby & Co's Express in partnership with Henry P. Reed and their first advertisement appeared on April 30, 1851. Prior to that date Mumby had been a messenger for Palmer & Co's Express. The route was between Sacramento City and San Francisco by steamboats of the Union Line (steamers Confidence and William G. Hunt) and utilized Dodge & Co Express in San Francisco for connection to the East. The line also operated north to Marysville serving the Nevada City mines. Mumby & Co's Express sale to Freeman & Co's Express was announced on June 12, 1851.

Mumby & Cos Express, greenish oval handstamp and matching "Paid" handstamp on folded letter from Sacramento to San Farncisco, endorsed to 'palmer & Cos Express" at top but carried after Mumby took over the route, "with bottle" at lower left, merchant's letter mentions: With this you will receive sample of Primo Martell Brandy, three reported examples, ex Dale - Lichtenstein and Walske

(page image, stock #9066, $5,000) (sold)

L. W. Newell and E. W. Colt, both formerly partners in Todd & Co, announced Newell & Co's Express on October 22, 1851. The express operated between San Francisco and Stockton by steamboat as well as by steamer to Oregon. They connected with Browns for service to the southern mines near Stockton.

Newell & Co's Express San Francisco greenish double oval handstamp on cover to "Mormon Gulch, near Tuttletown, Cal" conjunctive use with Browns Express blue oval and their "$1" rate handstamp struck twice, the only reported example of Newell San Francisco office handstamp, ex Vogel and Walske

(page image, stock #9067, $4,500) (sold)

Pacific Express Co. (Mar 1855 - Apr 1857)

Russell G. Noyes and other employees of Adams & Company formed the Pacific Express Company, following Adams’ failure in February 1855, with many of the old Adams’ offices becoming Pacific Express offices. The company failed after about two years and several members re-formed into Alta Express.
 

Pacific Express, Paid horseman illustrated frank, short hat type, on 3c red Nesbitt entire used to Todd's Valley, oval Pacific Express Sacramento Feb 19 datestamp, reduced slightly at left, ex Whitington

Pacific Express Co., Paid horseman illustrated frank, with "Co." after name and shaded letters in "Paid," on 3c red Nesbitt entire used to Sacramento, red oval Pacific Express Sonora Jan 26 datestamp, ex Whitington

(page image, stock #9068, $350) (sold)

Palmer & Co's Express (Mar 1850 - Dec 1851)

Palmer & Co's Express was founded by Cyrus S. Palmer in New York on March 7, 1850. The express operated between coasts and briefly advertised offices in Sacramento and Marysville. The last mention found appears in the New York Weekly Herald of December 6, 1851 thanking the company for papers received.

Palmer & Co's Express bold shield handstamp on folded November 12, 1850 letter from San Francisco to New York, endorsed to be carried by a friend on the George Law's Pacific Line steamer Antelope (first return voyage) instead, carried by Palmer's agent on the PMSS steamer Tennessee that departed November 15, 1850, two reported examples in black, ex Pearce and Walske

(page image, stock #9070, $3,500) (sold)

Palmer & Co's Express red oval handstamp and black "Free" on circa February 1851 folded cover to Governor Jon. Mc Dougal at San Jose, two reported examples in red, ex Kleman, Dale - Lichtenstein and Walske

(page image, stock #9071, $3,500) (sold)

Reynolds & Co's Express (Jan 1850 - Oct 1851)

Reynolds & Co's Express was founded by two Reynolds brothers and J. P. D. Wilkins in January 1850. They operated on steamboats and stages to Stockton. The first notice in the Sacramento papers mentions their service will use stage coaches of Messenger & Co between Sacramento and Stockton. Reynolds added Todd as a partner in October 1851 and the new company continued on the routes.

Reynolds & Co's Express, Forwarded By  oval handstamp on cover from the East with 40c postage due, by Reynolds Express to Stockton and when not found it was returned with post office due 40¢ backstamp, taken out of post office and carried by Brown's Express to Murphys with endorsement and $1.50 due the only reported use of Reynolds oval marking on cover that was also carried by another express, ex Vogel and Walske

(page image, stock #9072, $3,500) (sold)

Rhodes & Lusks Express (1852 - 1853)

Formed in 1852, Rhodes & Lusk's Express made daily runs between Marysville, Weaverville and the southern Oregon mines. The partnership was dissolved in 1853 and Rhodes continued as Rhodes & Co's Express.

Rhodes & Lusks Express Shasta, bluish double oval handstamp struck twice on cover to Weaverville, matching "Not Paid" oval with "$1.00" rate, original use with Gregorys Express San Francisco handstamp for carriage to Marysville, two reported examples of this handstamp, this the only conjunctive use, ex Kutz and Walske

(page image, stock #9073, $4,000) (sold)

W. H. Robinson Express Agent (1852 - 1853)

Little is known of W. H. Robinson as an express agent or an express. It is reported that he operated between Sacramento and Murphy's in 1852 and 1853. No advertisements have been found and the only artifacts are two covers from the same correspondence.

W. W Robinson Express Agent Sacramento, ornamented oval handstamp on cover inbound to Sacramento, pair 3c dull red (#11) tied by Schenectady, New York blue postmark, two reported examples, ex Straley and Walske

(page image, stock #9074, $1,500)(sold)

F. Rumrill & Co's Northern Express (Aug 1852 - 1855)

In 1852 Frank Rumrill began operating an express from Marysville up the North Fork of the Yuba River to Fosters Bar. In 1853 routes were extended as far as Downieville. He connected with Well Fargo at Marysville and likely served as their agent at Marysville. He was also an agent for Gregory's Express at Marysville for a short period in 1853. Rumrill bought out Beck's Express in July 1854, which extended his line north from Downieville into the Gibsonville Ridge area. He sold his express business to Langton's Express in 1855.

F. Rumrill & Co's Norther Express, Connecting With Wells, Fargo & Co,  greenish oval handstamp on cover from Marysville to San Francisco, endorsed "In care of Adams Express," ex Pearce and Walske

(page image, stock #9075, $1,250)(sold)

W. E. Singer & Co's Feather Express (1855)
Singer & Morrow Feather River Express (Fall 1855 - Fall 1857)

William E. Singer operated an express between Marysville and the mining camps along the Feather River between 1850 and 1857. During that period five different expresses bore his name. After Singer, Dean & Co's Express dissolved in 1855 he operated by himself for several months before taking Morrow as a partner. In late 1857 Morrow withdrew and was replaced by Meeker.
 

W. E. Singer & Co's Feather River Express, connecting with Wells, Fargo & Co., sharply struck blue oval handstamp on 3c red Nesbitt entire used to Bidwell's Bar, April 15, 1855 docket on reverse, illustrated in Wiltsee, ex Parker, Haas, Jarrett and Whitington

(page image, stock #9076, $1,000) (sold)

W. E. Singer & Co's Feather River Express, connecting with Wells, Fargo & Co., blue oval handstamp on Wells Fargo franked 3c red Nesbitt entire used to Bidwell's Bar, frank crossed through and Wells Fargo Express Steamboat handstamp, two such examples known, ex Lichtenstein, Barkhausen, Vogel and Walske and Whitington

(page image, stock #9078, $2,500) (sold)

Singer & Morrow's Feather River Express printed frank with fancy frame on 10c green Nesbitt entire used to Plymouth, Massachusetts, entered the mails with Bidwell's Bar, California May 16 (1856) postmark, small repaired nick away from indicia, four reported examples, illustrated in Letters of Gold, page 216, ex Haas, Edwards and Whitington

(page image, stock #9077, $3,500)(sold)

Stanton & Co. Sacramento & Folsom Express (ca 1855 - 1856)

Nothing is known of this express operating. The railroad design of frank may suggest a planned or actual connection with the Sacramento Valley Railroad which was completed between Sacramento and Folsom in February 1856. Both reported uses entered the mails in the East.
 

Stanton & Co. Sacramento & Folsom Express, Paid, train illustrated frank vertically at left of 3c red Nesbitt entire used to Wisconsin, additionally franked with 3c dull red 1851 issue adhesive for 6c rate, entered the mails with Fall River, Massachusetts "Nov 4" postmarks tying, edge faults and light staining, two reported examples

(page image, stock #9079, $2,000) (sold)

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