Sale 1011 — United States Stamps & Postal History, Foreign
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 21-24 June, 2011
Category — Western Express (Wells Fargo thru Whitney, groups)
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
1203
William Fargo and Henry Wells. American Express Company stock certificate for three shares, dated March 19, 1863, bearing 5c Certificate perforated (R24c), faulty, cancelled by "AE Co." handstamp, signed by Fargo and Wells and also by Alex Holland, small scotch tape mark at top on back and some edge tears at right, otherwise Very Fine, scarce and desirable certificate signed by both principals
E. 500-750
1,100
1204
Pony Express San Francisco Apr. 60. Perfect reprint strike of the Running Pony handstamp with commemorative date on 76 x 59mm gummed wove, light "Wells Fargo San Francisco Dec. 29 Stationery & Comm" handstamp at top left, some thinning in the paper outside the Running Pony
E. 200-300
225
Back to Top1205
Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $1.00 Red (143L3). Margins tight but with most of framelines present, light strike of blue San Francisco Running Pony oval datestamp, Fine
750
150
Back to Top1206
Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $1.00 Blue, Garter (143L6). Unused, (no gum), large margins to barely touching at bottom, tiny thin spot, Very Fine appearance
800
550
Back to Top1207
Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, 25c Red entire (143LU3). Unused, with printed frank at top, indicia a bit oxidized, otherwise Very Fine, considerably scarcer than the Scott Retail value suggests, ex Dale-Lichtenstein
950
650
Back to Top1208
Wells, Fargo & Co. Express, (unstated value) Black, "To Be Dropped in New York Post Office" (143LP1). Small part original gum, paper h.r. made from sheet selvage, large margins with tiny nick and thin in margin at top, still Very Fine, rare, ex Hall, with 2001 P.F. certificate
1,250
400
Back to Top1209
Wells, Fargo & Co. Express, (unstated value) Blue, Newspaper, For Publisher's Use (143LP3, 143LP10). No. 143LP3 block of 35 and complete pane of 50, unused (no gum), both have creases, pane with margin tears affecting three stamps and couple light "C.E.C." (C. E. Chapman) handstamps in margin touching two corner singles, No. 143LP10 complete pane of 50, original gum, 42 stamps Mint N.H., other eight stamps h.r., Fine-Extremely Fine and rare group, ex Hall, Scott Retail for pairs, singles and blocks more than $4,800.00
E. 750-1,000
450
Back to Top1210
Wells, Fargo & Co. Express, (unstated value) Blue, Newspaper Stamps (143LP2-143LP10). Accumulation of more than 200 stamps, incl. single No. 143LP2, multiples incl. pairs, blocks, sheet of 50 and block of 10 with four stamps normal No. 143LP9 and right block of six No. 143LP9b (P.F. certificate), also incl. some forgeries and reference material, some flaws to be expected in a group of this nature, much useful and Fine-Very Fine material to be found
E. 1,500-2,000
850
Back to Top1211
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Vertical strip of three, full margins to in with flaws at top and bottom left from placement near edge of cover, tied by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express San Francisco" oval handstamps on orange cover with "Agency of the Accessory Transit Co. of Nicaragua, San Francisco" corner card to Georgetown, cover with some slight wear, Fine appearance, scarce corner card and use of 1c 1851's, sent in the brief period after government postage was required but before printed franks were available
E. 500-750
400
Back to Top1212
Blood's Penny Post Sep. 13 11 A.M. Philada. Double-circle datestamp and "2cts" handstamp on 10c Yellow Green on Buff Nesbitt entire (U16) to Philadelphia, Wells, Fargo & Co. red printed frank, trivial repair on back, Very Fine, scarce conjunctive use of Wells, Fargo & Co. and Blood's for local delivery, ex Kramer
E. 300-400
300
Back to Top1213
10c Yellow Green (68). Two, rich color, each tied by large blue "Wells, Fargo & Cos. Express S.Frco. 21 Dec." double-circle datestamp on cover with red Wells Fargo & Co. printed frank to New York, slightly reduced at top and missing top flap, left stamp defective, right stamp small perf flaw at bottom right, otherwise Fine, scarce double-rate use carried entirely outside the mails from California to New York City
E. 300-400
225
Back to Top1214
10c Yellow Green (68). Trivial perf faults, tied by blue framed "Collect" handstamp on plain buff cover with New York City street address with Wells, Fargo & Co. paste-up, red frank on 10c Green entire (U41), two strikes of "Wells, Fargo & Cos. Express S. Frco. 1 Jan." double-circle datestamp, minor edgewear and small nicks, still Very Fine for this scarce paste-up use
E. 300-400
225
Back to Top1215
Wells, Fargo & Co. Haller WF-E printed frank along left side of 3c Pink entire (U34) with San Francisco wholesaler's red overall lithographed advertising, to Victoria, Vancouver Island, blue "Wells, Fargo & Cos. Express S.Frco. 21 Mar." double-circle datestamp ties two 3c Rose (65), small sealed tear at upper left, still Very Fine, Wells, Fargo & Co. covers to British Columbia and Vancouver Island are scarce, this example with a printed advertisement and additional 1861 Issue franking is outstanding, ex Dale-Lichtenstein, with 2004 P.F. certificate
E. 500-750
1,200
Back to Top1216
Wells, Fargo & Co. Printed frank (Haller WF-E) on 3c Pink entire (U59) to Weaverville Cal. with 3c Rose (65), tied by one of two strikes of blue "Collect" framed handstamp, matching "Wells, Fargo & Cos. Express S.Frco. 26 May" double-circle datestamp, Very Fine, double-rate postage paid by 3c 1861 (express fee due from addressee)
E. 400-500
225
Back to Top1217
Wells, Fargo & Co. Printed frank (Haller WF-E) showing nail at left on 3c Pink entire (U58) to Downieville Cal., indistinct Wells, Fargo & Co. oval datestamp ties pair of 3c Rose (65), wide margins, Very Fine, scarce triple-rate use
E. 300-400
200
Back to Top1218
2c Black on Buff, Die 4, entire (U54). Cancelled by circle of V's and "San Francisco Cal., Jul. 15" circular datestamp, printed notice of package delivery for Wells, Fargo & Co., fresh and Very Fine, ex White and Burrows
E. 500-750
500
Back to Top1219
2c Red on Amber entire, Round "O" in "Two" (U248). Used entire with Wells, Fargo & Co. black frank, Chinese writing on front and back, slightly reduced at right, pencil address erased, slight wear, otherwise Fine, an extremely rare postal stationery issue
1,650
0
Back to Top1220
Wells, Fargo & Co. "Boise Mines--Paid 50 Cts.". Red surcharge frank (Haller WF-O6) on unaddressed 3c Pink entire (U35), two strikes of blue "Wells, Fargo & Cos. Express S.Frco. 7 Oct." double-circle datestamp, pressed crease at left, still Very Fine, extremely scarce and unusually choice example of Wells, Fargo & Co.'s surcharge frank for service to and from hazardous and remote regions of Idaho Territory
E. 500-750
250
Back to Top1221
3c Pink on Buff entire (U35). With red Wells, Fargo & Co. printed frank and "Boise Mines Paid 50c Cts." surcharge, cancelled by blue oval Wells, Farg & Co., Bannock City, May 30" oval datestamp and used to Dalles City Or., minor toning of no consequence, Very Fine, scarce use
E. 400-500
450
Back to Top1222
Wells, Fargo & Co. Victoria Feb. 12. Blue oval datestamp and "Post Office Victoria V.I." Coat of Arms oval handstamp on 3c Red Nesbitt entire (U10) with Wells, Fargo & Co. printed frank to San Francisco, minor edgewear, Very Fine, scarce use from Vancouver Island
E. 300-400
350
Back to Top1223
Wells, Fargo & Co. "Mexican Coast and California Express.-25 Cts." Printed surcharge frank (Haller WF-M) on unaddressed 3c Pink entire (U35), blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Mex. Coast Messr. Sep. 24" oval datestamp, paste-up use with plain yellow cover to San Francisco, blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express Guaymas Mexo." oval handstamp, trace of red postmark, 1864 docketing, Very Fine, accompanied by a front only with 35c surcharge frank to Valparaiso, Chile, and forwarded, blue "Paid" oval and red "15" handstamps
E. 300-400
300
Back to Top1224
Wells, Fargo & Co. "Mexican Coast and California Express--35 Cts." Printed surcharge frank (Haller WF-M1) on 10c Olive Black on Amber entire (U90) to Guayamas, Mexico, minor flap tears, Very Fine, an extremely rare Reay entire, with 2000 P.S.E. certificate, Scott Retail for used without any premium for Wells, Fargo & Co. frank
1,250
950
Back to Top1225
Wells, Fargo & Co. "Mexican Coast and California Express--35 Cts." Printed surcharge frank (Haller WF-M1) on 10c Olive Black on White entire (U89), unused, fresh and Extremely Fine, this is a very rare Reay entire, with 2001 P.S.E. certificate, Scott Retail for unused with no premium for Wells, Fargo & Co. frank
1,350
950
Back to Top1226
Wheeler's Express. Printed frank in banner (Haller FW10, Ty. 1) modified from earlier "Holland & Wheeler's Express" woodcut (Haller FH11, Ty. 3) on 3c Pink entire (U35) to San Francisco, blue "Wheeler's Express La Porte" double-circle handstamp (also modified by removing Holland's name), conjunctive use with blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Marysville Nov. 13" oval datestamp, repaired corner at bottom right, otherwise Very Fine, according to Nathan early in 1862 Sam Wheeler bought H. C. Morley's interest in Holland, Morley & Co., which served the Gibsonville Ridge and Feather River mining camps, and eventually he and Holland renamed the express Holland & Wheeler; in December 1863 Wheeler withdrew from the partnership and started his own express with his brother, operating along the same route, and he evidently took the "Holland & Wheeler" woodcut and handstamp and altered them by removing Holland's name; the two brothers closed down their express after a short time and one or both became partners in Wheeler, Rutherford & Co.
E. 500-750
400
Back to Top1227
Wheeler's Express. Printed frank in banner (Haller FW10, Ty. 1) modified from earlier "Holland & Wheeler's Express" woodcut (Haller FH11, Ty. 3) on 3c Pink entire (U58) to Oroville Cal., blue "Wheeler's Express La Porte" double-circle handstamp (also modified by removing Holland's name), conjunctive use with blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Marysville Jan. 22" oval datestamp, soiled specks and toning along right side, otherwise Very Fine
E. 400-500
300
Back to Top1228
Wheeler, Rutherford & Co.'s Express. Printed frank in banner (Haller FW11) on 3c Pink entire to San Francisco, conjunctive use with blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Marysville Feb. 28" oval datestamp, top flap tear which just extends to front affecting the frank, still Very Fine, this partnership was created when Wheeler took in Rutherford as partner, this rare frank was used until Wheeler left in 1865 and Rutherford carried on (removing Wheeler's name from the woodcut frank)
E. 750-1,000
425
Back to Top1229
Whiting & Co.'s Feather River Express. Printed frank (Haller FW12, Ty. 2) on 10c Green Nesbitt entire (U16) to East Longmeadow Mass., carried by Whiting & Co. to the post office, "Marysville Cal. Paid by Stamps Jul. 4" blue circular datestamp (ca. 1858-59) and matching fancy crossroads cancel, minor edge wrinkles and tiny tear at top, otherwise Very Fine, a most attractive express use to the mails
E. 500-750
375
Back to Top1230
Whiting & Co.'s Feather River Express. Printed frank (Haller FW12, Ty. 2) on 3c Red Star Die entire (U28) to Quincy Cal., no markings, backflap replaced, Fine appearance, extremely rare example of Whiting & Co.'s frank on Star Die entire (Haller $1,000.00)
E. 400-500
200
Back to Top1231
Whitney & Co. Three used entires, first is Whitney printed corner card listing addresses in four towns, conjunctive use with black Wells, Fargo & Co. Company frank on 3c Pink entire to Virginia City, Wells, Fargo & Co. blue oval "Crystal Lake" handstamp, small hole in address panel (illustrated in Nathan), others are 3c Green entires with Whitney ribbon franks, one with indistinct blue Wells, Fargo & Co. oval handstamp, other with San Francisco circular datestamp, Very Fine appearing trio
E. 400-500
350
Back to Top1232
Western Express Handstamped Covers. Nice group of 17 covers, incl. Berford & Co's Express blue oval, Pacific Express Co. Stockton blue double oval, Wells, Fargo & Co. Express Ophir oval, Hoffman & Co. Express forwarding oval on 40c rate cover, Freeman & Co. Express small red oval on 40c rate cover, Todd's Express Office, Sonora, blue handstamp with matching "Paid" in oval, W. E. Singer & Co.'s Feather River Express, Connecting with Wells, Fargo & Co. blue oval, conjunctive use with red Wells, Fargo & Co. Express Sacramento, Gregory's Express Marysville blue and red three-line handstamps on two enclosures, finally nine Gregory's Express covers incl. examples of two, three and four-line handstamps and ovals, some of the last group in mixed condition but overall Very Fine group of these early express covers, all before the Gregory's were offered as individual lots in sales past
E. 1,000-1,500
1,500
Back to Top1233
Western Express Franked Covers. Extensive and choice collection of approximately 60 covers, most of which have appeared as individual lots in sales past, nice range of companies and uses incl. Northern Pacific Express on 2c entire, Everts, Wilson & Co. (two), Greenhood & Newbauer (three), Freeman & Cos. (three), Alta Express Co. (two, different types), Langton's Express, Bamber & Co. (five, incl. different types), Truman & Chapman's Express (four), J.C. Truman's Express (three), Truman & Cos. (seven, incl. several of the train designs), also a large group of Wells Fargo incl. a wide variety of designs, plus approx. 15 Mexico franks incl. several "Express Hidalgo" on Mexican entires, some reference material as well, a few flaws to be expected but since most of these were once offered as individual lots the vast majority are Very Fine and stand on their own, a nice lot for which viewing is recommended
E. 4,000-5,000
3,750
Back to Top1234
Western Express Covers. Six covers, incl. 3c Nesbitt with Hinckley & Co.'s Express from Denver City to Milwaukee; another similar with 10c 1857 Issue added; Gregory's Express use, generally defective but still an interesting group
E. 400-500
350
Back to Top