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Quick Navigation by Category  The Dr. James Milgram Collection of Western Postal (204)   |  United States (550)   | 
 

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The Dr. James Milgram Collection of Western Postal History continued...

Western Express - Wells, Fargo & Co. continued...
LotNo. Symbol CatNo. Lot Description
961       imageWells, Fargo & Co., Express, Shasta. Oval handstamp and scarce printed red Wells Fargo paid frank on 10¢ green (U17) entire to Thomas Drinkall, Benton Wis.; minor flap tear and edge wear, Very Fine, ex-Myerson.
Estimate; $300 - 400. (Image1)

Est. $300-400
Selling for...$150.00
Will close during Public Auction
962       imageWells, Fargo & Co., Silver City Utah. Blue gothic handstamp on 3¢ Star Die Entire with Wells Fargo printed frank to Oakland, with conjunctive handstamp J. Bamber & Co.'s Contra Costa Express, San Francisco (BAM-100), flap torn, Very Fine and attractive.
Estimate; $300 - 400. (Image1)

Est. $300-400
Selling for...$150.00
Will close during Public Auction
963       imageWells, Fargo & Co. Steamboat covers. Lot of seven covers with Wells, Fargo & Co. Steamboat markings, 1.) Swift & Co. Express printed frank (Thomas SWI-001) on 3¢ Nesbitt (U10) with blue oval "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express Steamboat handstamp (Thomas WFE-101), light wear, missing backflap, 2.) W.E. Singer & Co.s Feather River Express Connecting with Wells, Fargo & Co. blue company handstamp (Thomas SIN-100) on 3¢ Nesbitt entire (U10) with woodblock Wells, Fargo printed frank (Thomas WFE-001) and fancy blue handstamp "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express Steamboat" (Thomas WFE-108, Leutzinger 02-04), tears and edgewear right; 3.) Wells, Fargo & Co. Express Steamboat blue rounded rectangular handstamp (Thomas WFE-109, Leutzinger 01-15), VF; 4.) Wells, Fargo & Co. Express Steamboat. blue oval (Thomas WFE-102) on stampless buff cover, light wear; 5.) Wells, Fargo & Co. Steamboat blue oval (Thomas WFE101) on U10 with printed frank; 6.) Wells, Fargo & Co. Express Steamboat blue irregular hexagon handstamp (Thomas WFE-108, Leutzinger 02-05) wood block printed frank on U10 to Nevada City; 7.) Wells, Fargo & Co. Express Steamboat rounded rectangular blue handstamp (Thomas WFE-109, Leutzinger 01-15) on U10 with printed frank; with 8th cover included Wells, Fargo & Co. printed frank on U58 with large red "COLLECT" printed on envelope with 1866 docketing, F.-V.F., a wonderful offering of these rare California Steamboat markings, many featured in a March, 2019 article by James W. Milgram, M.D. and Dr. Robert J. Chandler in Western Express, provenance includes ex-Kramer, Knapp, Tatham, Barkhausen, Clifford.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

Complete images:
View gallery or Download PDF (2.0MB). (Image1) (Image2)

image

Est. $1,000-1,500
Selling for...$500.00
Will close during Public Auction
964       imageWells, Fargo, Co., Truckee. Blue oval company handstamp on 1870 3¢ entire with printed frank vertically at left addressed to San Francisco, entire with handsome all over pink "Elle Ellen, Building Lumber & Shingles, Truckee, Cal." shaded ad, docket on verso "E. Ellen Ans. Jan 31, 1873", Extremely Fine and attractive.
Estimate; $300 - 400. (Image1)

Est. $300-400
Selling for...$150.00
Will close during Public Auction
965       imageWells, Fargo & Co., Washoe City. N.(T.). Blue oval handstamp on 1861 3¢ entire with bottom left company frank at to Santa Clara, Cal., black company handstamp of "Geo. Loomis & Co., Minnesota Mill" at left which was located near Washoe City. flap tear, Very Fine.
Estimate; $100 - 150. (Image1)

Est. $100-150
Selling for...$50.00
Will close during Public Auction
966       imageWells, Fargo & Co's Express, Waterman, Cal. Beautifully struck blue handstamp on 1884, 3¢ green entire to San Francisco, black (Thomas WFE-030) printed frank error printed diagonally at top center, Extremely Fine and choice, less than five examples are known from this desert ghost town., ex-Myerson.
Estimate; $150 - 200. (Image1)

Est. $150-200
Selling for...$80.00
Will close during Public Auction
967       imageWells, Fargo & Co./Wawona, Cal. Perfect strike of purple oval express handstamp on 1887, 2¢ green entire to Fresno with black company frank at top; small tear at top just touching indicia, Very Fine and choice, a rare express handstamp, ex-Myerson.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)

Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction
968       imageWells, Fargo & Co. Express, Windsor. Remarkable bold strike cancels 3¢ pink (U35) buff entire to San Francisco, printed black Wells Fargo Paid frank, flap missing, Extremely Fine and choice, ex-Myerson.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)

Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction
969       imageWells, Fargo & Co's Express, Yosemite, Cal. Complete sharp strike of purple oval handstamp on 2¢ brown entire to Lenox Mass., printed black Wells Fargo paid frank, entered mails with Mo. duplex, reverse with "Lenox, Mass. Aug 29 1887" arrival backstamp, Very Fine and choice.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)

Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction
Western Express - Transcontinental Pony Express
LotNo. Symbol CatNo. Lot Description
970       imageCalifornia Pony Express, Paid. Red oval handstamp (FWK census W19) of New York applied on 1860 3¢ Star Die entire and address to "Messrs Crosby & Dibblee" in San Francisco, manuscript directive "Pony Express" at bottom left and "Paid" at upper left, Pony Express pencil rate "500" indicating that the double $2.50 rate had been paid, oval handstamp of The Central Overland California & Pike's Peak Express Company, St. Joseph, Mo., Oct. 18 applied on the date of departure of the Westbound Pony arriving in San Francisco on October 30, 1860, flap missing and tiny, professionally mended tear at top, Extremely Fine.
Estimate; $5,000 - 7,500.

A STUNNING PONY EXPRESS COVER PAYING THE DOUBLE RATE DURING THE SECOND PERIOD FROM THE FAMOUS CROSBY-DIBBLEE CORRESPONDENCE.

This is an outstanding usage with two very interesting features. Westbound Pony covers are rarer than eastbound with only twelve listed in the Frajola-Kramer-Walske census with the red New York oval "California Pony Express, Paid" handstamp. This cover demonstrates the under 3,000 miles loophole that allowed westbound mail to be sent in bundles from the East Coast to St. Joseph by mail with only 3¢ domestic postage prepaid. This loophole was closed by the Act of February 27, 1861 that eliminated the mileage provision and required 10¢ postage on any letter crossing the Rocky Mountains.

This cover was carried on the Pony Express trip leaving St. Joseph on October 18, 1860, arriving 12 days later in San Francisco on October 30, 1860 (Trip WT-45 in The Pony Express, by Frajola, Walske & Kramer, p. 95). (Image1)

Est. $5,000-7,500
Selling for...$2,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
971       imagePony Express, San Francisco, Dec 22. [1860] blue oval Running Pony handstamp (FWK census E-048) "ties" 1857 10¢ green (not original to cover) with bold green "The Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company St Joseph Mo. Pony Express, Jan 6" in concentric oval & circle on verso; entered mails with green double-circle datestamp "Saint Joseph Mo. Jan 7" for delivery to New York (docketed as "Recd Jan 10 1861"; some offset ink on front of cover from backstamp, portion of pony handstamp drawn in to "tie" stamp, some edge restoration and top left corner repaired where stamp added, Very Fine appearance, ex-Hawley.
Estimate; $3,000 - 4,000.

WONDERFUL STRIKES OF BOTH THE SAN FRANCISCO RUNNING PONY (ON FRONT) AND THE SAINT JOSEPH PONY OVAL-IN-CIRCLE ON VERSO.

This cover was carried on the Pony Express trip leaving San Francisco on December 22, 1860, arriving 15 days later in St. Joseph on Jan 6, 1861 (Trip ET-59 in The Pony Express, by Frajola, Walske & Kramer, p. 88). (Image1) (Image2)

image

Est. $3,000-4,000
Selling for...$1,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
972       imagePony Express, San Francisco, Jan. 26. [1861] blue oval Running Pony handstamp (FWK census E-055) struck twice on 1853-55 10¢ Nesbitt entire (one strike partly off cover) along with dateless blue oval handstamp "The Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company, San Francisco, Cal", entered the mails with green double circle datestamp of "St. Joseph Mo. Feb. 15" (1861), addressed to Sing Sing N.Y.; professionally restored with top backflap and a small wedge-shaped piece at top center added, otherwise Extremely Fine, a wonderful cover with clear strikes of the San Francisco "Running Pony" oval, as well as the dateless blue oval.
Estimate; $7,500 - 10,000.

A BEAUTIFUL EASTBOUND RUNNING PONY EXPRESS USE FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO NEW YORK.

This cover was carried on the Pony Express trip leaving San Francisco on January 26, 1861, arriving 19 days later in St. Joseph on Feb 14, 1861 (Trip ET-99 in The Pony Express, by Frajola, Walske & Kramer, p. 88). (Image1)

Est. $7,500-10,000
Selling for...$3,750.00
Will close during Public Auction
973       imagePony Express, The Central Overland California & Pikes Peak St. Joseph. Mo. Jan 20. [1861] bold green oval-in-circle company handstamp (FWK census W-32) on 1853-55 10¢ Nesbitt entire (U15) to San Francisco, with manuscript "Paid per Poney Express" directive; light pencil rate notation "2.50" (second period pony express fee = $2.50 per ¼ ounce) at upper right near indicium, also light pencil "Paid JTC" at left; professionally repaired (virtually undetectable) with sealed scissor cut around indicium, original to cover, Extremely Fine appearance, exhibit quality example of a scarce westbound pony express cover.
Estimate; $5,000 - 7,500.

NEARLY PERFECT STRIKE OF THE OVAL-IN-CIRCLE PONY EXPRESS HANDSTAMP ON A WESTBOUND COVER.

This cover was carried on the Pony Express trip leaving Saint Joseph on January 20, 1861 (Trip WT-72 in The Pony Express, by Frajola, Walske & Kramer, p. 96). It is not clear from surviving records when the pony arrived into San Francisco. (Image1)

Est. $5,000-7,500
Selling for...$2,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
974 ()      imageWells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express ($1.00) Red Type II East-to-West Frank. With several strokes of pen (apparently voiding the pony express printed frank) with printed address to the "Agent of Pony Express, St. Joseph, Mo. For" on 10¢ pumpkin entire with handwritten address John Smith Esq, Sacramento City, Cal.; uncanceled, possibly a used leftover, but with the absence of any postal or pony markings more likely just an attempt at philatelic deception, pressed out creases, rebacked front, Very Fine appearance.
Estimate; $150 - 200. (Image1)

Est. $150-200
Selling for...$80.00
Will close during Public Auction
975       image(Pony Express) M. S. Latham Free Franks. Lot of two Latham free franks and one ALS: first, free frank on cover with "Washington D.C. FREE Feb 23" cds to Allen Latham, in Chillicothe, Ohio; second, free frank on cover with "Cincinnati, O. Nov 3 FREE" in red cds with embossed shield corner card of Metropolitan Hotel, Broadway, New York, also to Allen Latham in Chillicothe; third ALS postmarked "Canonsburg, Pa. Mar 4" (1844) with 18¾ manuscript rate folded letter to Miami University in Ohio; condition mixed with some minor mostly edge faults, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

Latham was the sixth Governor of the State of California in 1860, and later U.S. Senator from California from 1860-1863. He was a strong supporter of Russell, Majors and Waddell and their effort to secure the contract for the Central Route. As a result he was among the few individuals later permitted to send Pony Express mail free of charge. Complete images:
View gallery or Download PDF (609KB). (Image1)

Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction
Western Express - Virginia City Pony Express
LotNo. Symbol CatNo. Lot Description
976       imageWells, Fargo & Co., Aurora, Express. Blue oval gothic handstamp on 3¢ pink entire to San Francisco with company frank and 1862-64 10¢ brown Virginia City Pony Express stamp (143L7, clear to large margins three sides, touching at left); faintly tied by matching blue oval, docketing "Recd Saturday Nov 29, 62", also docketed at left "Aurora Nov 14, 62, Recd 18"; light edge wear, Very Fine, the 10¢ Virginia City pony stamp is by far the scarcest of the three types/rates.
Estimate; $3,000 - 4,000.

A SCARCE EXAMPLE OF THE FIRST PERIOD RATE (10 CENTS) VIRGINIA CITY PONY EXPRESS.

The Virginia City Pony Express was established by Wells, Fargo and Company in August 1862 to supplement their normal express business between Virginia City, Nevada Territory, in the rich Washoe mining area, and San Francisco. The pony express service was advertised as 24 hours, versus 44 hours for the normal service. Mail was carried by a pony rider from Virginia City to Placerville where it was put on a train for Sacramento. At Sacramento the mail was placed on a steamboat for conveyance down the Sacramento River and across San Francisco Bay to San Francisco. It appears that service was suspended between July 29 and Dec 28, 1864. After a brief revival in 1865, the service was permanently suspended on March 2, 1865. (Image1)

Est. $3,000-4,000
Selling for...$1,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
977     143L8 imageWells Fargo & Co., 1862-64, 25¢ blue. Very light blue oval handstamp cancelling on 1860 3¢ pink entire (U34) to San Francisco and a second also very light strike tying Wells Fargo & Co., 1862-64, 25¢ blue (#143L8) with virtually four complete margins, minute corner tear at top left, black company frank at top; contemporary docketing at right "Aurora March 17.63" etc. dates this cover to 1863; hint of corner wear, Very Fine, Nearly all 25¢ blue Virginia City pony covers from Aurora are of the Crittenden correspondence, the two examples offered here are exceptions.
Scott No. 143L8; Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.

The 25¢ Virginia City Pony Express rate was in effect from February 1863 to its end in February, 1865. In March 1864, the blue 25¢ adhesive was replaced by the same design in red. (Image1)

Get Market Data for [United States 143L8] View Visual Pricing Guide Make Sample Census

Est. $2,000-3,000
Selling for...$1,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
978       imageWells, Fargo & Co., Express, Aurora. Blue oval handstamp cancelling on 1860 3¢ pink entire (U34) to San Francisco and a second light strike tying Wells Fargo & Co., 1862-64, 25¢ blue (143L8) left margin copy to just touching at upper right and bottom, black company frank at top; contemporary docketing at right "Aurora Mch 25.63" etc. dates this cover to 1863; light edge wear, Very Fine, Nearly all 25¢ blue Virginia City pony covers from Aurora are of the Crittenden correspondence, the two examples offered here are exceptions.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.

The 25¢ Virginia City Pony Express rate was in effect from February 1863 to its end in February, 1865. In March 1864, the blue 25¢ adhesive was replaced by the same design in red. (Image1)

Est. $2,000-3,000
Selling for...$1,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
979       imageWhiting & Co.'s Feather River Express PAID. Black printed frank (Thomas WHI-009) with very light blue circular datestamp of "Wheeler's Express LaPorte" (Thomas WHE-100) on 3¢ pink entire (U59) to Morristown, Very Fine, a rare conjunctive usage, ex-Tatham.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)

Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction
980     U10 imageEnvelope, 1854, Nesbitt 1st Issue, 3¢ red on buff, "THREE" in medium wide label with curved ends. Black printed frank with elaborate eagle, scroll and shield design (WIE-001) on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire (U10) to Sacramento City, Very Fine and rare, one of only two examples of this printed frank known used without any other express or postal markings., ex-Barkhausen.
Scott No. U10; Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.

A RARE AND BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF WINES FANCY PRINTED FRANK ILLUSTRATING THE EAGLE ON SHIELD WITH RIBBON.

G. H. Wines Express was formed in New York City in Jun, 1855 with their San Francisco office being established Jul, 1855. Gilbert H. Wines and Charles A. Whitney were the proprietors. They initially connected with Rhodes & Whitney's Express at Sacramento, but by Oct, 1855 had expanded to cover the Northern Mines, Stockton and the Southern Mines themselves. They connected with Leland's Express for San Jose, Santa Clara, etc. and with Gilbert & Hedges for Monterey, San Diego, Los Angeles, etc. They transported their express matter bound for the east coast via Nicaragua. Wines Express went out of business in Apr, 1857 due to absentee management, turmoil in Nicaragua, and the increasing domination of Wells, Fargo & Co. (Image1)

Get Market Data for [United States U10] View Visual Pricing Guide Make Sample Census

Est. $3,000-4,000
Selling for...$1,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

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