Group of 5 Bank of California / North Pacific Transportation Company Checks — Sold the RN-B16 to Joyce Chicago2025, sold another to — SOLD Bob L. 3-11-26

Here’s a premium selection of five North Pacific Transportation Co. checks, all signed by Charles J. Benham (mayor of San Francisco) but each with a different RN and other distinguishing characteristics.

RN-B17 — May 1869, orange, instructive clause “Good only for checks and drafts payable at sight” in a rectangular tablet

RN-B16 —July, 1870, orange with red check number (all others are blue). Same clause as above in an octagonal tablet, with Vitale price list printed on the back (info below).

RN-C21 — Nov. 1871, orange, with embedded instructional clause “Good only for bank check”

RN-C22 — July 1872, as above but printed in brown

RN-D7 — Sept. 1872, orange, with embedded clause “Good only for bank check”

About the Vitale price list… An old-time dealer from Alhambra, CA, William J. Vitale, printed a price list of taxpaid and revenue stamps on the backs of used Northern Pacific checks. His “Bulletin No. 1 Philatelic Sidelines” included world-wide revenues, collections, bundles, and various kinds of US taxpaid stamps.

The checks in this group have been selected for their uniformity of color and signatory, as well as for the variety of RNs and other characterstics mentioned above. Each has a typical spindle cut. Overall VF+ to XF appearance.