Wells, Fargo & Co., (unstated value) Black, "To Be Dropped in New York Post Office" (143LP1). Large margins to just clear at top right, uncancelled, used on blue folded letter datelined "San Francisco Febry. 4, 1860" to Towle & Co. in New York City, blue "Wells, Fargo & Cos. Express S.Frco. 6 Feb." large double-circle datestamp and matching "Paid" in oval, sender's routing "p. St. Sonora", Feb. 24 receipt docketing, file fold well clear of adhesive

EXTREMELY FINE. THE ONLY RECORDED COVER WITH WELLS, FARGO & COMPANY'S "DROPPED IN NEW YORK POST OFFICE" STAMP, WHICH PREPAID THE EXPRESS RATE FROM CALIFORNIA TO NEW YORK.

The Scott Catalogue erroneously lists this stamp under "Newspaper Stamps" in the Wells, Fargo & Co. section. In fact, its real purpose was not to prepay newspaper charges, but to pay the express fee on letters carried by Wells, Fargo & Co. over their steamship route and "dropped in New York Post Office" as the stamp states. In this case, the letter was addressed to a local New York City firm and was probably delivered by or picked up from Wells, Fargo & Co.'s agent.

We record only this cover, one on piece offered in the Golden sale and five off-cover stamps (including a stamp added to a cover, described as such in the Middendorf collection).

From the March 1973 Robson Lowe sale and ex Golden (Siegel Sale 817, lot 1585, realized $10,000 hammer). With 1999 P.F. certificate

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