Auction # 60 - The Westpex Sale

(Ephemera) Berlin, Nevada Warning Notice for Radial Organizers. Notice billhead reading "Vigilantes are ready to take care of any radial organizers. Whistle code shall be used as instructed. Ropes Are Ready", affixed to card with notation in part below…I found this on the door of a mine in the ghost town of Berlin, Nevada; soiling and nicks, Fine.
Estimate; $100 - 150.

(Ephemera) Jas. W. Marshall - The Discoverer of Gold in California, January 19th, 1848. Signature on 2¾x5'' autograph card showing illustration of Old Sutter Mill; mounting residue on reverse, Very Fine, a rare California historic signature.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.

An identical example sold in the Risvold sale which brought $3,500 hammer.

(Ephemera) Six-Horse Stage. 4 ¼ x 5 1/8" mount size photo by C.W. Carter of Salt Lake City, Utah printed at back, pencil inscription, "1867, at Kimballs", clear image of a six-horse stage (also known as a mud wagon), Very Fine.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

(Letter Books) Cooke & Le Count's California Letter Book. Bronze on black glazed letterbook with printed 1851 calendar on inside back cover, with lengthy letter datelined "Weavertown (Weaverville), Sept 19th, 52" having returned from Shasta City, mentions sending money and packages by Adams & Co. Express…from the prompt business for which Adams & Co. have gained quite a reputation I feel confident that you have...

(Letter Books) Miners' and Travellers' Pocket Letter Book, By Jos. W. Gregory. 1850 black on white glazed letter book with tipped in trifold lithograph "View of Auburn, Placer Co.", letter datelined "Sacramento City, Oct 27th, 1850" with interesting content regarding Sam Brannan Squatters' Riots…I shall bid farewell to California as soon as I make a few thousand dollars, but I think there is not much danger of it for...

(Telegraph) Alta California Telegraph Company, California. Blue embossed cameo corner card on cover to Coloma, with original Coloma 1855 company letterhead telegram with message from Placerville; some minor cover edge wear, Very Fine, one of the earliest usages known.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

(Telegraph) California State Telegraph. Illustrated design on orange-buff cover to Diamond Springs Cal. bearing 3¢ rose (65), tied by bold cork cancel, matching "Sacramento Cal. Oct. 5, 1863" cds; slightly reduced at right, Very Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

The California State Telegraph envelopes are very scarce sent through the mails.

The Expressman. Illustrated J.M. Hutchings' California Envelope showing Expressman on Horseback Delivering "Letters From Home" to News-Straved Miners, on cover to Nox Corners, N.Y. with manuscript "Forbestown, Cal., Dec 8" postmark and "Paid 6" rating, Very Fine, a choice example of this rare miners design, with only ten examples recorded by Kutz, ex Polland, Kramer.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

Miner's Coat of Arms. Illustrated Barber & Baker design showing miner and bear hold up cross with various miner implements, on cover to Canton, Ill., bold red "Goodyears Bar, Cal., Nov 10" cds and matching "Paid 3" handstamp struck twice to show payment of the 6¢ transcontinental rate; cover edge wear and small tears with small portion of backflap missing, Fine, a rare design with twelve examples recorded by Kutz,...

Mining Scene. Illustrated J.M. Hutchings' California Envelope design on cover to Noxes Corners, N.Y., franked with 1851, 3¢ dull red, top margin horizontal pair canceled by light pen and grid handstamps, bold "Forbestown, Cal, Apr 12" rimless oval postmark (BUT-1650, R5); some light cover edge wear and small tear at top center, otherwise Very Fine, an attractive usage of this popular illustrated miner's cover from...

Mining Scene. Illustrated miner's design depicting Miner Panning for Gold with Long Tom in Background, with imprint "J.M. Hutchings' California Envelope" at left and "Anthony & Baker SC" engraver's imprint at bottom right of design, on cover to Greenville, Conn., with "Weaverville, Cal., Oct 4" oval postmark with manuscript date and matching "10" rate handstamp; cover professionally restored with flaps reattached, Very...