Summer 2025 | July 18-20, 2025

Included in Stanley Ashbrook Archives, Black Binder 7, Page 100
Cover originating in San Francisco, addressed to Mrs. David Saville in Lexington, Mass. The cover signed by Ashbrook.

Illustrated as Figure 6 of The Western Express Research Journal of Early Western Mails, Vol. 72 No. 4
The 10c green with manuscript cancel. Cover addressed to Middlefield Centre, NY. The stamp with creases and the cover stained, damaged, and creased.

With red “40” cents rate marking for transcontinental carriage in effect from July 1, 1847 through June 30, 1851. The Reynold's company handstamp indicating express company carriage to Stockton. The cover with age discoloration.

An early California usage connecting to Hodgkins’ formative years as a Gold Rush expressman, when he began working for Reynolds’ Express in 1851, delivering mail and gold dust throughout the Southern Mines.

In May 1876, Henry Wells encouraged Pilsbury "Chips" Hodgkins to host a reception to commemorate his 25 years as an expressman. In response, Chips had invitations specially printed featuring four illustrations, each depicting a different mode of transportation he used throughout his career.
This cover is one of the envelopes, carried outside of the mails, that once carried an invitation While the image of a miner on a mule was commonly associated with Gold Rush-era mining scenes, in this context, it symbolized Chips himself on his early routes, delivering mail through rugged terrain on his white mule. Enclosure not included.

Postmarked “Mason N.H. Sept 5, 1859” with manuscript routing “Overland via Los Angeles” and addressed to the iconic Wells, Fargo & Co. expressman, "Chips" (Pilsbury Hodgkins) in Stockton, California. Manuscript cancel on indicia; cover shows some staining but otherwise an attractive cover.

Pilsbury “Chips” Hodgkins was a Maine-born ship carpenter turned Gold Rush expressman. Arriving in San Francisco in 1849, he mined in Tuolumne County.
Chips worked for several express companies, including Reynolds’ Express, before becoming a longtime Wells Fargo & Co expressman. From 1857 to 1869 served as Wells, Fargo’s messenger on the Stockton–San Francisco route. Over his career, Chips reportedly carried millions in gold.

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 3c Red Nesbitt entire (U10), with the indicia cut out and replaced.

An attractive usage of the Wells, Fargo & Co. 1/2 OUNCE PAID FROM St. JOSEPH TO PLACERVILLE PER PONY EXPRESS, Type I, printed frank. The Type I printed frank was used to prepay the $2.00 per half ounce express fee for only two months, approximately April to June 1861.
The design differs from the more common Type II design (WFE-098) by having a comma at the end of the word "Placerville." Thomas notes that besides being printed on U40 envelopes, these printed franks were printed on white non-government envelopes, like this example.

The addressee, N.H. Stockwell, was on the Board of Directors for Wells Fargo from 1858-1867.

The manuscript "1/4 oz free" indicates that this was carried free as company use to an official, making this the only known free usage of the Type I design. There are only three other used examples of this design.

Northwestern Express Co., From St. Paul, black on orange label (Mosher NWNX-L5) with five Northwestern Express wax seals on reverse. American Express Money Package black on orange label (Mosher AMEX-L350) Manuscript “San Francisco, per Wells, Fargo & Co. Express” Cover forwarded to Sacramento with numerous express rate markings & endorsements.

No Gum, creases affecting 11 stamps.

No gum with a couple creases,.