Lot 224 USA Western Express

PAID G.H. Wines & Co.’s California Express. Illustrated eagle and shield printed frank (Thomas WIE-001) with perfect bold strike of conjunctive “Rhodes & Whitney’s Express Weaverville” blue oval handstamp (Thomas RHW-100) and conjunctive “Pacific Express Co. Shasta” red oval handstamp (Thomas PAC-102) on 3c Red on Buff Nesbitt entire (U10) to San Francisco EXTREMELY FINE. A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF THE G. H. WINES & CO.’S EAGLE AND SHIELD PRINTED FRANK, WITH TRIPLE CONJUNCTIVE SERVICE BETWEEN WEAVERVILLE AND SAN FRANCISCO. ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BLAINE COLLECTION. The initial ad of G. H. Wines & Co.’s Express in September 17, 1855, indicated that they would operate a daily express from San Francisco to Sacramento, connecting there with Rhodes & Whitney’s Express for various points north, including Shasta and Weaverville. By the time this cover was carried, Pacific Express Co. had started service over part of the route between Shasta and Weaverville. Nearly all the Wines & Co.’s Express printed franks are accompanied by a Rhodes & Whitney’s Weaverville handstamp; thus, they must have had a very close relationship, apparently including a stock of the Wines eagle and shield franked entires in their office in Weaverville. This cover originated at Weaverville with the Rhodes & Whitney’s Weaverville handstamp. They carried it as far as Shasta, where it was given to the Pacific Express Co. for transport to Sacramento. Finally, the cover was given to Wines & Co. for completion of the journey to San Francisco. Ex Dale-Lichtenstein and Jarrett (Sale 970, lot 246).