Pacific Union Express. Blue straightline frank "P U Express - Paid - Va" in ornate Old English type applied across top of 3¢ Pink entire (U59) to San Francisco, blue "Pacific Union Express, Virginia City, Mar. 30" (1869) double-circle datestamp, matching "Too Late" in double-line oval handstamp, receipt docketing "Thomas Kent, March 29, 1869, Virginia City", opening tear along top right edge just barely into stampVERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE FORM OF FRANK FROM THE PACIFIC UNION EXPRESS COMPANY, A SHORT-LIVED BUT SPIRITED COMPETITOR TO WELLS, FARGO & COMPANY. POSSIBLY THE ONLY USED EXAMPLE EXTANT.The Pacific Union Express Company was formed by Lloyd Tevis, Charles Crocker, Darius O. Mills and Henry Bacon, starting service in California and parts of Nevada on July 1, 1868. Their objective to compete against Wells, Fargo & Co. was aggressively pursued, but in December 1869 the company sold out to the larger, better-capitalized firm.Pacific Union's franked entires with the familiar banner design are very common. However, the "P U Express - Paid - Va" frank is exceedingly rare and was probably printed locally at the Virginia City N.T. office (perhaps during a shortage of regular franked entires). We have been unable to locate more than three examples, including the entire offered here, the only used example. The "Too Late" handstamp probably indicates that this cover did not make the March 29 trip to California, and it was datestamped on the following day.Ex-Dale-Lichtenstein. With 2004 P.F. certificate. Estimate  $3,000 - 4,000. $0 (Image)