Wells, Fargo & Co., Paid, Over our California and Coast Routs (misspelling), black printed woodblock frank (WFE-001) on 1853 3¢ Nesbitt entire to Placerville, early red "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express, Sacramento" oval handstamp canceling; expert repair to back flap and top left corner, otherwise Very Fine. Scott No. U10  Estimate $2,000 - 3,000. THE FINEST KNOWN EXAMPLE OF THE WELLS, FARGO & CO. "ROUTS" ERROR WOODBLOCK FRANK. This is the very rare type WFE-001 frank which is the key to collecting Wells Fargo franked envelopes. Four examples of this frank are recorded. Many consider the "Routs" spelling to be Wells Fargo's first printing of a franked envelope. This is the finest of the four known examples known to exist; three of the known examples are all addressed to the same person at Placerville, Cal. $0 (Image)

Wells, Fargo & Co., Paid, Over our California and Coast Routs (misspelling), black printed woodblock frank (WFE-001) on 1853 3¢ Nesbitt entire to Nevada, Cal., light early red "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express, Sacramento" oval handstamp canceling; expertly restored replacing top and one side flap, Very Fine appearance. Estimate  $1,000 - 1,500. This is the very rare type WFE-001 frank which is the key to collecting Wells Fargo franked envelopes. Four examples of this frank are recorded. Many consider the "Routs" spelling to be Wells Fargo's first printing of a franked envelope. Three of the known examples are address to Placerville, Cal this being the only known example addressed to Nevada City. This is also the only example that is docketed; the docketing of October, 1855 falls well within the expected time frame of usage for this rare frank. $0 (Image)