Kemble Edward Conner (1 results)

Daily Alta California Vol. V No. 304 San Francisco, November 2, 1854, with Wells Fargo & Co. Express Blue Oval Stamp from Marysville and W.E. Singer & Co. Feather River Express Blue Oval Stamp Newspaper measures 27 3/4 x 21 1/4 inches, printed on recto and verso. Only two pages from likely a four-page paper. Top and side margin rough with slight loss of content. Previous folds and light foxing. Minor separation at folds with several older cello tape repairs. Fair Condition. Early California newspaper from November 2, 1854. The Daily Alta California ensued after publisher Edward Kemble purchased and merged the Star and the Californian newspapers, naming the new paper the Daily Alta California, becoming the first daily newspaper in California. The first issue is dated January 4, 1849; six months later the first steam press on the west coast began printing the paper. Content from 1854 appears typical of the day with foreign dispatches, local and national news with a host of period ads. See scans. Likely, of greater value, are the two blue oval stamps near the banner including the Wells Fargo & Co. Express Stamp from Marysville and W.E. Singer & Co. Feather River Express Stamp. According to the Western Cover Society's website "Anan Fargo began in the express business in late 1851, partnering with William E. Singer in Singer & Fargo's Express. He left that partnership when W. S. Dean was brought in and started his own express line. Fargo & Co.'s Feather River Express began advertising Jul 22, 1852, in the Marysville Herald and continued to do so through Nov 26, 1853, being superseded by W. E. Singer & Co.'s Feather River Express." The Wells Fargo stamp is bold and clear while the Feather River Express stamp is lightly stamped on the bottom third yet still striking. Philatelists seek out both markings and this usage would indicate the paper was transported to its destination by both companies. A nice combination of an early California newspaper with regional express stamps. Will ship lightly folded.