San Francisco, California, circa 1854 Stampless Cover, Integral "5" Due Circular Datestamp Uncommon San Francisco Integral Rate Circular Datestamp Marking
San Francisco, California stampless cover, Aug 7, circa 1854 with integral 5c due circular datestamp. Some edge/corner wear. An example of the 5c unpaid rate (within California in this case), with uncommon San Francisco circular datestamp marking.
The Philatelic Icons Sale 2026 - Day 2
By: Americana Stamps
Aste Terminate
Jun 27, 2026 America/Los_Angeles
Americana Stamps The Philatelic Icons Sale 2026 - Day 2
Saturday Jun 27, 2026 19:00 to 23:00 America/Los_Angeles America/Los_Angeles
We are honored to present The Philatelic Icons Sale, the largest and most significant auction Americana Stamps has ever offered.
America's history lives in the letters that crossed goldfields and battle lines, in express covers that linked frontier towns to the outside world, and in the stamps that mark how a young country built its postal system from scratch. This sale brings together more than 1,500 lots that trace that story, including philatelic icons seldom offered to the public.
This auction is a natural fit for 2026, the 250th year of the United States, and for the Boston 2026 World Expo (May 23 to 30, Booth 141), the once-per-decade international exhibition where we are proud to open the sale. More than 750 lots are accompanied by Philatelic Foundation certifications, the largest concentration of certified material we have ever offered in a single sale.
As always, the sale is designed to serve both the collector and the researcher. Whenever available, you can expect:
✔ High-resolution imagery of all aspects of the item
✔ Links to reference articles and supporting research
✔ Links to philatelic certifications
✔ Census data and population insights
✔ Provenance details to trace notable histories
Whether you are pursuing a long-sought rarity or simply enjoy the chance to study material of this caliber, we invite you to explore the Philatelic Icons Sale and join us in Boston for our largest in-person preview to date.
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Lot #6050 - Western Express & Postal History San Francisco
Lot #6051 - Western Express & Postal History San Francisco
San Francisco, California, Partial Strike of Circular Datestamp on circa 1856 Mourning Cover with #14 10c Green Imperf to Massachusetts
San Francisco, California Feb 20 circular datestamp (partial strike), circa 1856, on mourning cover to Massachusetts, with #14 10c imperf, huge margins left and bottom, good margins all around, bright and fresh stamp. Small toning spot center of cover away from stamp and markings. Scarce use of 1851 10c...
Lot #6052 - Western Express & Postal History San Francisco
San Francisco, California, 1862 Incoming Cover, Double-Circle Datestamp with "20" Due Handstamp, Contract Ship Mail Rate Attractive All-Over Lumber Advertiser
San Francisco, California Dec 18, 1862 double-circle datestamp with separate matching 20 due marking. Incoming cover to San Francisco (origin unknown, but likely Panama). Tiny tear top away from markings. An example of the 20c incoming contract ship mail rate, over 2500 miles...
Lot #6053 - Western Express & Postal History San Francisco
San Francisco, California, 1863 #65 3c on Advertising Cover to Ohio, Type II Cogwheel Cancel, Lumber Advertiser, Missent
San Francisco, California Oct 9, 1863 double-circle datestamp and matching type II cogwheel cancelling #65, to Ohio. All-over lumber advertiser, with "Missent" in manuscript, although there is no indication of where cover was misrouted. Some edge wear and light toning.
Lot #6054 - Western Express & Postal History San Francisco
San Francisco, California, 1866 Stampless Cover to Bordeaux France, Double-Circle Datestamp with "30" Due Handstamp, via Panama
San Francisco, California Jun 18 (1866) double-circle datestamp with separate 30c due circular handstamp, folded letter sheet (no contents) endorsed "via Panama" to Bordeaux, France. A double 15-cent rate cover, also reflected in the 16 decimes due (8 for single weight). Jul 11 NY transit circular datestamp....
Lot #6055 - Western Express & Postal History San Francisco
San Francisco, California, #69 12c Black, Horizontal Pair, Tied on 1868 Cover to Plymouth England, Magenta Circular Datestamp with "PAID", per Overland Mail An Attractive Transatlantic Overland Mail Cover
San Francisco, California magenta circular datestamp with Mar 4 and PAID on cover to Plymouth, England. 24c rate paid by pair of #69, left stamp straight edge. London Apr 13, 1868 PAID receiving circular datestamp. Manuscript routing...
Lot #6056 - Western Express & Postal History San Francisco
San Francisco, California, 1868 3c Pink Entire to New York, Type III Duplex Cogwheel with "Too Late" Oval Handstamp
San Francisco, California Apr 14 (1868) double-circle datestamp and type III duplex cogwheel double-struck on 3c pink entire with matching black "Too Late" oval handstamp (missed the steamer departure), to New York City. Blue Pacific Insurance Apr 7th 1868 merchant handstamp reverse, manuscript endorsement "Steamer" top...
Lot #6057 - Western Express & Postal History San Francisco
San Francisco, California, 1874 3c Banknote on Illustrated Norcross & Co. Masonic Uniforms Advertising Cover to Oregon Beautiful and Pristine Advertising Cover
San Francisco, California Aug 15 (1874) circular datestamp with matching duplex killer which ties 3c Banknote, to Roseburg, Oregon. Illustrated corner card showing man in Masonic uniform, and text Norcross & Co., San Francisco, Cal., Manufacturers of Knights Templar, …...
Lot #6058 - Western Express & Postal History San Francisco
San Francisco, California, circa 1875 3c Banknote on "The Davis" Sewing Machine Illustrated Advertising Cover to Syracuse New York
San Francisco, California Dec 19 (circa 1875) circular datestamp with matching duplex grid killer which ties 3c Banknote on all-over green cover, to Syracuse, NY. "The Davis" sewing machine illustrated corner card (130 Post Street, SF), with text on reverse describing the machine features. Some edge toning,...
Lot #6059 - Western Express & Postal History San Francisco
San Francisco, California, Station B, 1878 3c Banknote on Illustrated Advertising Cover to Peterboro New York, Woodward's Gardens Scarce Woodward's Gardens Illustrated Advertising Design
San Francisco, California Jul 16 (1878) Station B circular datestamp with matching duplex grid killer which ties 3c Banknote on cover, to Peterboro, New York. Manuscript docketing "answered July 25th 1878" sets cover date. Scarce Woodward's Gardens...
Lot #6060 - Western Express & Postal History San Francisco
San Francisco, California, 1897 2c Bureau Issue Tied by Machine Cancel on Tilly Bros Corks Advertising Cover to Stockton Beautiful and Pristine Advertising Cover
San Francisco, California May 12, 1897 machine cancel (#1) ties 2c Bureau Issue on cover to nearby Stockton, CA. "Tilly Bros, Manufacturers, Pittsburg, PA" bottle logo with owl, and green "CORKS" text on cover. Pristine condition, as fresh as the day it was mailed. Beautiful...
Lot #6061 - Western Express & Postal History San Francisco Letter Express
San Francisco Letter Express, Blue Company Running Pony and Rider Handstamp on Local Cover Very Fine Appearance
Blue oval "San Francisco Letter Express" handstamp on locally used cover
Lot #6062 - Western Express & Postal History Private Post Office, San Francisco
Private Post Office, San Francisco, 123LU2a, 15c Blue on 3c White Entire on U58 3c Pink to Local Address The Only Recorded Example of the San Francisco Private Post Office Local Printed Frank on White
Blue Private Post Office elaborate framed frank with mailing instructions and blue "Private Post Office No. 5 Kearny St. S.F. June 3" double-circle datestamp tying the indica and another strike on reverse. The cover is addressed locally in...
Lot #6063 - Western Express & Postal History Public Letter Office, San Francisco
Public Letter Office, 125LU3, 15c Blue Used on Locally Addressed 2c Black U54 Entire Extremely Rare Used Example of this San Francisco Local
The cover reduced at left, otherwise Fine and still extremely rare usage.
Lot #6064 - Western Express & Postal History Adams & Co.'s Express
Adams Express Wall Street Frank Entire to San Francisco with "Gregory Express" Manuscript and Matching Postmark Adams Express & Gregory Express Conjunctive Use, Robert Carrington Correspondence
Red printed "Adams Express Company, 10 Wall St. New York" frank on entire addressed to San Francisco, with manuscript "Gregory's Express" endorsement and matching red oval Gregory's Express San Francisco handstamp. A conjunctive use...
Lot #6065 - Western Express & Postal History Adams & Co.'s Express
Adams & Co., Blue Company Double-Circle Postmark and Matching "PAID" Oval, on Cover
ADAMS & CO. SAN FRANCISCO SEP 19" postmark, with manuscript "SEPT. 1854" addressed to Catholic College in Santa Clara, with manuscript "PER ADAMS EXPRESS" The cover with toned spots.
Lot #6066 - Western Express & Postal History Bamber & Co's Express
Bamber & Co's Express, BAM-002 Printed Frank, on 3c Red Entire, with BAM‐102 Double-Circle Handstamp
Addressed to San Francisco, California.
Lot #6067 - Western Express & Postal History Bamber & Co's Express
J. Bamber & Co.'s Contra Costa Express, BAM-101 Oval Handstamp on U10 3c Nesbitt, to San Leandro
Lot #6068 - Western Express & Postal History Bamber & Co's Express
J. Bamber & Co.'s Express, Bacon & Hardy, BAM-005 Printed Frank on U35 3c Pink Nesbitt to San Francisco
#0915 in Western Cover Society Census, listed in Thomas.
Blue double-circle MAR 09 Bamber's handstamp (BAM-102).
Lot #6069 - Western Express & Postal History Berford & Co.
Berford & Co., Letter & Package Express, Red Shield and Oval Handstamps with Advertising Label on Partial Cover Sent on "On Public Service", New York to San Francisco Rare Black on White Advertising Label
Partial cover carried by Berford & Co.'s Express from New York City to San Francisco with manuscript "On Public Service." The firm's printed advertising label, bisected but complete, is affixed across the closing flap and...
Lot #6070 - Western Express & Postal History English & Wells Moore's Flat and Eureka Express
English & Wells Moore's Flat and Eureka Express, ENW-002 Printed Frank on Legal Size U63 6c Buff
Addressed but uncanceled.
Nathan, Rarity Factor: 7
Haller, FE4 TYPE 1
Lot #6071 - Western Express & Postal History Indian Creek Express
Indian Creek Express, IND-700, Unused Printed Envelope Front on U65 6c Purple on Buff Nesbitt Entire Only Four Known Envelopes
Lot #6072 - Western Express & Postal History Jones & Russell
R. B. Bradford, Free Frank, Addressed to Co-Owner of the Pony Express, William B. Waddell on Uncanceled U10 Entire New Discovery, Only Three Previously Reported Bradford Free Frank Uses
Manuscript “Free R.B.B.” at upper left, signed by R. B. Bradford, who served as the Jones & Russell agent in Denver. Addressed to William Bradford Waddell, one of the three founders of the Pony Express, at Lexington, Missouri. Mailed on an uncanceled...
Lot #6073 - Western Express & Postal History Langton's Pioneer Express
Langton's Pioneer Express, LAN‐003 Corner Card and Three Strikes of Company Oval Handstamp on U9 3c Red, Paste-Up Scarce
Three strikes of Blue "LANGTON'S PIONEER/EXPRESS/FOREST CITY" LAN‐103c oval handstamp, used as a paste-up with an attached Envelope from San Francisco to Marysville. The postal entire with wrinkles.
Lot #6074 - Western Express & Postal History Pacific Express Co.
Pacific Express Co., Pony and Rider Frank (PAC‐001) on 1853 U10, 3c Red on Buff Nesbitt Entire to New York Rider's Initials "LR", Levi Robie
Illustrated in the Wester Cover Society Photo Census, WC4289
Blue "PACIFIC EXPRESS CO. SAN FRANCISCO DEC. 13" (PAC‐101) double-circle datestamp addressed to Pajaro, Cal. The cover with slight wear in corners, Very Fine
