(Railroad Strike - Pre-Strike) Wells, Fargo & Co's Express, Claremont, Cal., dark purple datestamp (Leutzinger 10-16) on 2¢ Columbian (U349) entire to Boston Mass., reverse with purple two-line "W. Mockler / Chgo. & Kan. City. Rte." agent handstamp, two stikes of magenta "Chicago / May 1 - 1894 / Money Dep't." three-line postmark; light stain, reduced slightly at right, F.-V.F. and scarce use. Estimate  $200 - 300. $0 (Image)

(Railroad Strike - Pre-Strike) Wells, Fargo & Co's Express, Santa Barbara, Cal., Dec. 28, 1889, Geo. F. Ellis, Agent, provisional frank handstamp used on 1887, 2¢ green entire (U311) to St. Louis, Mo., with a manuscript "Paid" at top used to create a provisional franked envelope, second strike canceling indicia, uprated with 1887, 2¢ green tied by "Ogden & San Fran, R.P.O., Jan 4" duplex, bank corner card handstamp at top left, Very Fine, ex-Mader. Estimate  $300 - 400. Wells Fargo transported east by rail and place envelope in mail for delivery in St. Louis. They had to apply 2¢ green due to cancellation of indicia by agents hand stamp. The only example of a provisional frank known that was created before the Railroad Strike of 1894. $0 (Image)

(Railroad Strike - Pre-Strike) Wells, Fargo & Co's Ex., Los Angeles, Cal., Jun 1894, S.A. Butler, Agent., purple boxed agent's handstamp and straight line "FRANK" handstamp on 1887, 2¢ green entire to San Francisco, canceled by purple "Wells, Fargo & Co. Ex., Los Angeles, Cal., Jun 9, 1894" cds, uprated with 1883, 2¢ red brown tying by straight line San Francisco handstamps, Extremely Fine, a very rare Provisional Frank usage before the Railroad Strike. Estimate  $200 - 300. The Wells Fargo agent in Los Angeles created and sold this (one other is known outside of the strike period) franked envelopes by adding the word "FRANK" to the top of the envelope and his agent hand stand to the left with only the month/year. He must have felt that he would only be using these created envelopes for a short period (within the Month of June). The envelope was then cancelled with the circular month/day/year hand stamp when used. The two cents stamp was added by Wells Fargo in San Francisco to comply with Postal Regulation due to the Los Angeles hand stamp being applied to the indicia. Most likely Agent Butler was informing San Francisco that he was out of franked envelope and need replacement and that he was making do with provisional franks. $0 (Image)

(Railroad Strike - Pre-Strike) Wells, Fargo & Co's Ex., Los Angeles, Cal., two entires dated June 16 and June 19, 1894 indicating that the Los Angeles Office had received replacement franked envelopes, conjunctive black printed frank type WFE-060 used on an 1887, 2¢ green entire (U311), both covers used for local delivery; one with partial sideflap, otherwise Very Fine. Estimate  $100 - 150. $0 (Image)