BERFORD & CO. CALIFORNIA LETTER & PACKAGE EXPRESS, CLEAR RED EXPRESS COMPANY MARKING IN A SHIELD DESIGN, MATCHING 'COLLECT', ON BLUE MAY 15, 1852 FOLDED LETTER DATELINED NEW YORK, TO SAN FRANCISCO, WITH THE EXPRESS COMPANY'S LABEL STATEMENT OF OFFICES AND SERVICES ON THE BACKFLAP, BUSINESS CONTENTS MENTION 'THIS I SEND BY PRIVATE EXPRESS MAIL FOR STEAMER 'UNITED STATES'. SHE SAILS TODAY TO CONNECT WITH THE WINFIELD SCOTT AT PANAMA.', SLIGHTLY SOILED FILE FOLD, MINOR EDGE SEPARATION AND BLEACH SPOTS, STILL QUITE FRESH AND FINE, VERY SCARCE, THIS COMPANY PROVIDED PRIVATE TRANS-CONTINENTAL SERVICE BETWEEN 1849 AND 1855