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Original Partly-Printed Double-Ledger Stagecoach Way-Bill
Date of Transit: Monday, April 29, 1867
Route: Marysville and Sacramento, California
Operating Line: California and Oregon United States Mail Line
Proprietor: H. W. Corbett & Co.
On-Duty Driver: August Tolles (Manuscript signature)
Official Postal Agent: W. A. Rhodhamel (Distinct signature lower left)Why This Piece is a Must-Have for CollectorsThis is a premier museum-grade piece of Western Americana, Wells Fargo era transit history, and US postal history. Waybills from this specific mail route are incredibly uncommon, capturing a fleeting historical window before regional railroads permanently linked the Pacific Coast.What makes this specific document highly significant to collectors are the specific historical figures tied to it:
- Henry Winslow Corbett: The printed proprietor name belongs to the legendary merchant tycoon, Oregon pioneer, and billionaire philanthropist. Most notably, 1867 marks the exact year Corbett took office as a United States Senator, adding exceptional crossover interest for political ephemera collectors.
- W. A. Rhodhamel Signature: The lower-left corner bears the clear, authentic ink signature of W. A. Rhodhamel, the official dispatching US Postal Agent on duty.
- Driver August Tolles: Hand-written on the face is the name of driver August Tolles, a historically documented regional stage driver tasked with piloting the team through treacherous California terrain.
Condition ReportAuthenticity: 100% original mid-19th-century paper ephemera. Not a reproduction.
Paper Integrity: Shows standard, expected signs of age including light uniform toning, historical fold creases, and minor edge wear consistent with a document that actually traveled aboard an active stagecoach.
Legibility: Outstanding. The bold printed headers and dark ink handwritten notations—including dates, passenger records, and both critical signatures—remain sharp, deep, and fully legible.Please review all provided high-resolution photographs to assess the exact physical condition for your collection. Securely shipped to preserve its historical integrity.
