D.W. Earl & Co., Forwarding & Commission Merchants, Reno, Nevada. Framed corner card handstamp on 2¢ green entire cancelled by "Reno, Nev., Jul 7, 1889" duplex to Cedarville Cal., original D.W. Earl & Co. freight invoice and payment receipt, Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

D.W. Earl & Co. established offices at Nevada railroad depots and handled freight to and from the Washoe mines. This cover shows the use of the company datestamp on an envelope as a processing device. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Elko & Mountain City Pony Express, M.P. Freem & Co., Prop's, Paid One Dollar. Printed frank with fancy frame, and conjunctive printed Wells Fargo & Co. frank on 3¢ green (U82) entire cancelled by "Portland Oreg. Jan 19" duplex to San Francisco Cal., endorsed "pr. Steamer "State of California"; small top edge tear, Very Fine, WC8320, ex Dale-Lichtenstein.
Thomas No. ELK-001; Estimate $4,000 - 6,000.

ONE OF ONLY TWO POSTALLY USED EXAMPLES OF THE ELKO & MOUNTAIN CITY PONY EXPRESS FRANK.

This express operated out of Elko, Nevada servicing the mines of northern Nevada around Mountain City. Merrill P. Freeman worked in this area for a number of years at jobs relating to the movement of the mails and may have operated this express in some capacity. The only reference is in the Territorial Enterprise of August 19, 1871: "The stage running between here (Elko) and Mountain City will be discontinued on Monday next. A pony express by M.P. Freeman & Co. will carry the mail between the above points.". Est. $4,000-6,000 (Image)

Est. $4,000-6,000

"Collect Humboldt Express. 25 cts.". Manuscript endorsement on 3¢ red (U27) buff Star die entire with printed Wells Fargo & Co. paid frank and cancelled by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express, Silver City, Utah" oval handstamp to Santa Cruz, Cal.; light soiling at bottom left, Very Fine, with 2003 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $10,000 - 15,000.

THIS IS THE EARLIEST RECORDED HUMBOLDT EXPRESS USE, AND THE ONLY RECORDED MANUSCRIPT FRANKED EXAMPLE.

With the establishment of Unionville and Humboldt City in the spring of 1861 because of the discovery of major gold and silver deposits, Samuel Langton expanded his express business into the region. Langton connected with Wells, Fargo & Co. at Silver City for delivery to the California coast.

This cover is extensively discussed by Jim Gamett in Nevada Express, 2002, pp 83-87. Est. $10,000-15,000 (Image)

Est. $10,000-15,000

Humboldt Express, 1863, 25¢ brown. Four large even margins, tied by blue "Langton's Pioneer Express, Star City" oval handstamp on 3¢ pink (U35) buff entire with black Langton's printed frank, addressed to Bidwell's Bar Cal. "Care of Capt. Singer", entire restored at right, trivial stamp cleaning causing some barely discernable discoloration of cancel, Very Fine appearance, ex Dale-Lichtenstein, with 2004 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 86L1; Estimate $30,000 - 40,000.

ONE OF ONLY SIX INTACT COVERS RECORDED WITH LANGTON'S HUMBOLDT EXPRESS STAMP.

The Humboldt Express was the last of seven successive Western express services operated by Samuel W. Langton, who has been described by historians as the most energetic and persevering of the numerous expressmen of the period. Langton launched the Humboldt Express in February 1860 and oversaw its operation until his accidental death in 1864. Service was provided between the Humboldt mines in Nevada to Carson City, the state capital. For transportation across this difficult route, 25c was charged in addition to the $2.00 per letter fee. To facilitate prepayment of this surcharge, Langton issued the 1860 25c Brown adhesive stamp. The stamp, with its exceptionally detailed depiction of a stagecoach drawn by a four-horse team, is widely regarded as the finest example of a pictorial stamp issued by the numerous local posts operated in the United States between 1842 and the 1870's. The style, lettering, color and lithographic technique used to print Langton's stamp are identical to those of the Wells, Fargo & Co. pony express stamps of the same period, and it is accepted, though unproven, that the issues of both companies were made by the same printer (Britton & Rey of San Francisco).


The six recorded Humboldt Express 25c Brown covers:
1) Unionville (blue oval) to J. S. Bendle, Bidwell's Bar Cal., "Care of Capt. Singer", U34 with Langton frank, ex Brown, Moody, Simpson, Hertz
2) Star City (blue oval) to J. S. Bendle, Bidwell's Bar Cal., "Care of Capt. Singer", U35 with Langton frank, PFC, ex Dale-Lichtenstein (the cover offered here)
3) Unionville (blue oval) to J. S. Bendle, Bidwell's Bar Cal., "Care of Capt. Singer", U34 with Langton frank, ex Caspary, Nathan
4) Star City (blue oval) to G. Borzo, Placerville Cal., U34 with Langton frank, WF Nevada Jun. 10 oval, ex Jessup, Hawley, Polland, Jacobitz
5) Unionville (red oval) and "Paid" in oval tying 25c, to Charles Lott, Oroville Cal., U34 with WF frank and WF Carson City May 11 oval, PFC, ex Haas, Edwards
6) Star City (blue oval) to S. W. Holladay, San Francisco, U34 with Langton frank, 3c 1861 tied by "Paid" and WF Nevada Jul. 11 (1863) oval, with enclosure, PFC, ex Hall, Kapiloff.

In addition to these six intact covers, there are two restored fronts or pieces and a few faked examples. Our census has been compiled independently of the Gamett census. Est. $30,000-40,000 (Image)

Est. $30,000-40,000

Humbolt Express Co. Printed reply envelope with "Agent of Humboldt Express Co." crossed out and addressed to Sacramento Cal., original enclosure datelined "Sheep Ranch, Bois Valley, I.Territory, Feb. 25th 1865", used as paste-up with manuscript "Paid 25¢" express rating, pencil "10 Weeks under Snowslide" at left, pasted to 3¢ pink (U34) entire with printed Wells Fargo frank and cancelled by blue "Wells Fargo & Co., La Grande" oval handstamp, pencil "Came to Hand, May 31st 1865" endorsement; covers separated and faulty as to be expected, Fine.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

A REMARKABLE CONJUNCTIVE HUMBOLDT AND WELLS FARGO EXPRESS USE DELAYED DUE TO SNOW SLIDE, ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED.

This letter should have been carried into Wells Fargo at Virginia City, Nevada, however, because of heavy snow on that route, the letter was carried north to Oregon. En route, it was buried "Ten weeks under Snowslide". After the spring thaw, it was retrieved with note "Came on Hand May 31, 1865" into Wells Fargo & Co. at La Grande Oregon for transit to Sacramento. There is one other cover with an identical "snowslide" inscription, which was written and signed by "Vincent Norten".

The Humboldt Express Co. establishment was announced in the Idaho Tri-Weekly Statesman of August 1864. It operated for about one year and ran a "pony express" from Boise, Idaho Territory area to Virginia City, Nevada Territory. It ceased operations because of the Paiute-Bannock Indian uprising. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

Raum's Ruby Hill, Schellburn and Rubyville Express, Agency White Pine Daily News. Printed frank with fancy frame, on 3¢ green (U82) entire cancelled by manuscript "Schellburn Nev., Mar. 27/72" postmark and matching ms. strokes cancel indicia to San Francisco Cal.; reduced slightly at right, Very Fine.
Thomas No. RAU-001; Estimate $750 - 1,000.

ONE OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS RAUM'S RUBY HILL, SCHELLBURN AND RUBYVILLE EXPRESS FRANK.

After Lovell left the partnership of Raum & Lovell's Express, Mell Raum continued to operate as Raum Express through the same North-central area of Nevada connecting with the U.S. mail at Schellbourne Nev. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

Ruby Hill and Schellburn Express, Mell Raum, Agent. Fancy printed frank on 3¢ green (U82) entire cancelled by blue "Hamilton Nev., Dec 25" duplex to San Jose Cal.; upper left corner repair and sealed edge tears, F.-V.F. appearance, WC2368.
Thomas No. RAU-005; Estimate $750 - 1,000.

THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS RAUM'S EXPRESS FRANK. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

Raum's Centerville, Ruby Hill and Shelburn Express / Agency White Pine Daily News. Printed frank on 3¢ green entire cancelled by target cancel and matching "Schellbourne Nev., Aug 16" cds with pencil address to Sacramento City Cal.; reduced slightly at left, small edge tear, F.-V.F., WC2364.
Thomas No. RAU-006; Estimate $300 - 400.

ONE OF SIX RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS RAUM'S CENTERVILLE, RUBY HILL AND SHELBURN EXPRESS FRANK. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Thomes & Skadan's Express, Susanville & Reno, Connecting with Wells, Fargo & Co. Printed paid ribbon frank on 3¢ green entire cancelled by blue partial "Wells Fargo & Co, Reno" oval datestamp to Roseburg Ore., docketed "David Evans, Feb 11/73" at left, Very Fine, WC2817.
Thomas No. THO-003; Estimate $500 - 750.

THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED THOMAS & SKADAN'S EXPRESS USE TO OREGON.

This was a stage operation that provided an express letter service. They operated between Susanville Cal and Reno Nev., a distance of about 70 miles. They connected with Wells Fargo at Reno. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Thompson's Carson Valley Express. Bold red ornamented handstamp on 3¢ Red on buff entire (#U10) carried over the Sierra Nevada to Auburn, California with Wells, Fargo & Co. printed frank, entered the mails with clear "Carson Valley, U.T./Oct 9" datestamp, cover reduced at right and with original indicia cut out and replaced, Fine appearance, WC5050, ex-Risvold, with 1978 P.F. certificate.
Thomas No. TSS-100; Estimate $20,000 - 30,000.

ONE OF ONLY TWO KNOWN EXAMPLES OF THE "SNOWSHOE" THOMPSON'S HANDSTAMP, BOTH ARE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE WELLS, FARGO & CO. FRANK.

Thompson's Carson Valley Express was established by John A. "Snowshoe" Thompson in 1857-58 and operated between Genoa, Nevada and Placerville, California. He also carried the overland mails for Chorpenning during the winter months of 1861. Snowshoe died on 15 May, 1876. (see Across The Sierra Nevada Mountain by Snow-Shoe, by Risvold and Frajola in Chronicle #215). Est. $20,000-30,000 (Image)

Est. $20,000-30,000

Wellington Express. Perfect strike of blue oval handstamp on paste-up envelope affixed to 3¢ pink (U58) entire cancelled by "Esmeralda Nev., Dec 27 '65" cds to New York N.Y., manuscript "Due 3" rating; edge faults, Fine and rare.
Estimate; $6,000 - 8,000.

ONE OF ONLY FIVE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE WELLINGTON EXPRESS OVAL HANDSTAMP, ONE OF WHICH IS CONTAINED IN THE WILTSEE COLLECTION.

Daniel Wellington and his partner, S.P. Dorsey, ran a stage and express service from Carson City to Esmeralda, Nev. From that location, it ran to Benton, through the Owens Valley to the San Carlos mining area that is located around present day Independence Cal. This service included the towns of Camp Independence, San Carlos, Kearsage and Bend City.

All five of the usages are paste-ups from the Mary Bush correspondence to New York N.Y. Est. $6,000-8,000 (Image)

Est. $6,000-8,000

Wells, Fargo & Co., Virginia City, N.T., Jan. Blue oval datestamp on legal-size 12¢ red & brown on buff (U42) entire with Wells, Fargo & Co. printed frank, addressed to A.P. Crittenden, San Francisco Cal.; reduced at left and cover tear, Fine and rare used entire.
Scott No. U42; $650; Estimate $200 - 300. Scott $650
Est. $200-300 (Image)

Scott $650
Est. $200-300

Wells, Fargo & Co., Elko, May 14. Sharp blue oval datestamp on legal size 12¢ brown on buff (U68) entire with Wells, Fargo & Co. printed frank, addressed to Martinez Cal.; mostly split along edges, Fine and scarce used, with 2013 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. U68; $1,200. Scott $1,200
(Image)

Scott $1,200

Wells Fargo & Co., Virginia City, Oct 12. Purple oval datestamp on 24¢ blue on buff (U71) legal size entire with Wells, Fargo & Co. printed frank, entire with preprinted address to The Bank of California, San Francisco Cal.; reduced slightly at left and tiny tear at top, fresh and Very Fine.
Scott No. U71; $700. Scott $700
(Image)

Scott $700

Wells Fargo & Co., "Paid 25 Cts.". Printed surcharge paid frank on 3¢ pink (U35) buff entire cancelled by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co., Virginia Cty. N.t., Jul 10" oval datestamp to San Francisco Cal.; reduced slightly at right, Very Fine.
Thomas No. WFE-211a; Estimate $400 - 600.

ONE OF ONLY FIVE RECORDED WELLS FARGO "PAID 25 CTS." SURCHARGE FRANKS USED FROM NEVADA TERRITORY, THIS BEING THE ONLY ONE NOT FROM THE SINSHEIMER CORRESPONDENCE. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

Wells Fargo & Co.'s Express, Tuscarora, Nev. Purple oval handstamp cancels 3¢ green entire with printed Wells Fargo printed frank to San Francisco Cal., original "Grand Prize Mining Company" letterhead enclosure datelined "Tuscarora, Nev., July 17th 1882", Very Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

Wells, Fargo & Co., Surcharged "Paid 25 Cts.". Printed frank on 3¢ pink (U34) entire cancelled by blue "Wells Fargo & Co., Austin, N.T., Sep 6" oval datestamp from the Simon Sinsheimer correspondence to San Francisco Cal.; reduced slightly at right, Very Fine and choice.
Thomas No. WFE-211a; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

The 25¢ surcharge pays the fee for the Virginia City Pony Express. They are scarce as most Virginia Pony covers are franked with adhesives. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Wells, Fargo & Co's Express from "Gold Hill NT". Black on orange illustrated label showing steam locomotive and steamboat with manuscript town designation, affixed on 3¢ pink (U35) buff entire with printed Wells Fargo & Co. frank to San Francisco Cal., Very Fine.
Estimate; $400 - 600. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

Wells, Fargo & Co's Express from Virginia, Nev. Black on orange illustrated label showing steam locomotive, restored at left, affixed on legal-size orange cover to Carson City Nev., purple "T.W.W. Davies, Atty at Law. Carson City, Nev." return address backstamp, Fine appearance.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Wells, Fargo & Co's Express from Winnemucca, Nev. Black on orange illustrated label showing steam locomotive, affixed over edge on N. Levy & Co., Dealers in General Merchandise, Winnemucca Nev. corner card cover to Red Bluff Cal., red manuscript "Value $30 00/100" docketing at left, manuscript "Paid" and pencil "filed May 29th 1872" docketing; reduced at top and left, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $600 - 800. Est. $600-800 (Image)

Est. $600-800

Reticker's Poney Express. Bold strike of handstamp frank at left and conjunctive Wells Fargo & Co. printed frank at center on 3¢ green (U82) entire cancelled by bold "Wells, Fargo & Co., Salt Lake Cty. U.T., Mar 10" oval datestamp to San Francisco Cal., flap with blue "A.T. Green, San Francisco, Mar 13, 1871" double-circle arrival datestamp, Very Fine, ex Dale-Lichtenstein, with 2004 P.F. certificate.
Thomas No. RET-100; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE RETICKER'S PONEY EXPRESS FRANK HANDSTAMP, A REMARKABLE CONJUNCTIVE USE WITH WELLS FARGO & CO.

An express service by Charles Reticker that ran from the Salt Lake City area and connected with Wells Fargo at that point. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500