Sale 1334 — The Dr. George Haikel Collection: Stamps and Covers of Exceptional Beauty and Rarity
Sale Date — Tuesday, 12 November, 2024
Category — Pony Express
Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $1.00 Red (143L3). Position R3, lifted and repaired, backed with paper, tied by blue “Pony Express, San Francisco, Jul. 20” (1861) Running Pony oval datestamp, stamp affixed over Wells Fargo & Co. blue “Paid” in oval handstamp on 10c Green on Buff Star Die entire (U33) with red Wells Fargo & Co. imprint to Henry I. Beers at a New York City post office box, embossed stamp cancelled by clear strike of “St. Joseph Mo. Aug. 1” circular datestamp, sealed tear at top, top backflap added
EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. AN ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE $1.00 HORSE-AND-RIDER STAMP TIED BY THE SAN FRANCISCO RUNNING PONY OVAL DATESTAMP AND CARRIED DURING THE FIRST MONTH OF THE GOVERNMENT CONTRACT PERIOD.
The “Paid” in oval handstamp was a standard marking used by Wells Fargo & Co., but its function on Pony Express covers is not completely understood. The “Paid” oval is recorded on nine Pony Express covers carried during Phase II (Interim Phase) from April 1 to June 30, 1861 (FKW census). An additional five covers carried during Phase III (July-October 1861) have the same “Paid” oval. In this case, it was applied to the Wells Fargo & Co. franked envelope before the Pony Express stamp was affixed.
The addressee, Henry I. Beers, was a prominent California businessman during the 1850s. Beers returned to New York in 1859 and made his fortune in oil and real estate in Western Pennsylvania.
Frajola-Kramer-Walske census no. E118. Trip ET-119. Ex J. David Baker and Twigg-Smith. With 2009 P.F. certificate.
Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia City Pony Express, 25c Blue (143L8). Position A4, large margins to touched at top, tied by well-struck blue “Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia Cty. N.T. Mar. 18” (1863) oval datestamp on 3c Pink on Buff entire (U35) with Wells Fargo & Co. printed frank, printed address of Solomon Wangenheim (a furniture dealer) in San Francisco, very slightly reduced at left
VERY FINE. A CHOICE AND REMARKABLY BEAUTIFUL VIRGINIA CITY PONY EXPRESS COVER.
Solomon Wangenheim was an immigrant from Saxony, Germany, who was naturalized on April 30, 1855. He is listed as a merchant at 211 Powell in San Francisco as of July 25, 1866.
Ex Wickersham, Hall, Gruys and Twigg-Smith. With 2009 P.F. certificate.