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Wells Fargo & Co., 1861, $2 red (Scott 143L1), position 11 with wide left sheet margin, full even margins other three sides, light partial strike of blue Pony Express Sacramento May 1861 oval datestamp; shallow thin at bottom right, Very Fine appearance, while there has never been a census, we suspect around 40-50 used off-cover/entire examples exist, ex Twigg-Smith (sold for $2,000 hammer in 2009) and Middendorf. Scott $1,100. (Image)
Estimate $1,000-1,500
Opening US$ 500.00
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Sale No: 841
Lot No: 2002
Symbol: o
Cat No: 143L1
Wells Fargo & Co., 1861, $2 red (Scott 143L1), 3½ full margins to just touching at top left, strong but partial blue Wells, Fargo & Co. Sacramento circular datestamp; small faults, Very Fine appearance, while there has never been a census, we suspect around 40-50 used off-cover/entire examples exist. Scott $1,100. (Image)
Estimate $750-1,000
Opening US$ 375.00
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Sale No: 841
Lot No: 2003
Symbol: *
Cat No: 143L2
Wells Fargo & Co., 1861, $4 green (Scott 143L2), matchless GEM-quality example of this popular Wells Fargo stamp; unbelievably fresh and choice with ample margins on all sides; a true condition rarity; toss out the Scott catalog when bidding on this stamp, as it will certainly elicit spirited bidding as these stamps just don't come like this, o.g., lightly hinged, Extremely Fine. The popular Horse & Rider stamps of Wells, Fargo & Co. are scarce and the vast majority do not have gum or four margins, with 2015 P.F. certificate. Scott $850. (Image)
Estimate $750-1,000
Opening US$ 375.00
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Sale No: 841
Lot No: 2004
Symbol: o
Cat No: 143L2
Wells Fargo & Co., 1861, $4 green (Scott 143L2), position 19, clear margins on three sides, just touching at bottom; rich color, cancelled by small part of blue San Francisco Running Pony oval datestamp; small thin spots, Fine, fewer than 10 used examples are believed to exist, and only one example on cover is known, ex Middendorf, with 2014 P.S.E. certificate. Scott $6,000.
The $4.00 Green paid the double $2.00 per half-ounce rate, and was in use for a short period of time.(Image)
Estimate $3,000-4,000
Opening US$ 1,500.00
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Sale No: 841
Lot No: 2005
Symbol: (*)BL
Cat No: 143L3
Wells Fargo & Co., 1861, $1 red (Scott 143L3), wide right margin block of 4 with full even margins other 3 sides, unused without gum, rich color on gleaming white paper, Extremely Fine and extremely beautiful, ex Kuphal. The popular Horse & Rider stamps of Wells, Fargo & Co. are scarce and the vast majority do not have gum or four margins. Scott $1,150 for o.g. (Image)
Estimate $500-750
Opening US$ 250.00
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Sale No: 841
Lot No: 2006
Symbol: o
Cat No: 143L3
Wells Fargo & Co., 1861, $1 red (Scott 143L3), mostly clear margins to just in, partial strike of blue Pony Express San Francisco oval datestamp; small repair at right, thin spots, otherwise Fine. Scott $1,250. (Image)
Estimate $300-400
Opening US$ 150.00
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Sale No: 841
Lot No: 2007
Symbol: *
Cat No: 143L4
Wells Fargo & Co., 1861, $2 green (Scott 143L4), ample margins to just touching, deep rich color, traces of o.g., Fine and sound. The popular Horse & Rider stamps of Wells, Fargo & Co. are scarce and the vast majority do not have gum or four margins; from May 2006 to May 2026, this is the 11th example of an unused #143L4 to appear on Stamp Auction Network, with 2016 P.S.A.G. certificate. Scott $475. (Image)
Estimate $350-500
Opening US$ 180.00
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Sale No: 841
Lot No: 2008
Symbol: o
Cat No: 143L4
Wells Fargo & Co., 1861, $2 green, only 23 known used off cover (Scott 143L4), large margins at right and bottom, full to clear at top & just touching at left, rich color on fresh crisp paper, blue San Francisco Running Pony oval datestamp, Fine and sound, ex Middendorf, with 2011 P.F. certificate. Scott $4,500.
The Tom O'Rourke/Larry Lyons census published in the April 2020 issue of The Penny Post (pp. 31-34) records 24 used off-cover examples (one dubious). The census provides sales history and sometimes provenance and certification, but nothing on condition. O'Rouke also notes three covers are known to exist. A copy of the census accompanies.(Image)
Estimate $2,000-3,000
Opening US$ 1,000.00
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Sale No: 841
Lot No: 2009
Symbol: (*)
Cat No: 143L5
Wells Fargo & Co., 1861, $4 black (Scott 143L5), full margins at top left and bottom, clear at sides and top right, strong dark color and clean brilliant paper, unused without gum, Fine and sound. The popular Horse & Rider stamps of Wells, Fargo & Co. are scarce and the vast majority do not have gum or four margins, with 2016 P.S.A.G. certificate. Scott $275 for o.g. (Image)
Estimate $150-200
Opening US$ 80.00
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Sale No: 841
Lot No: 2010
Symbol: o
Cat No: 143L5
Wells Fargo & Co., 1861, $4 black, only 5 known off-cover (Scott 143L5), blue San Francisco Running Pony oval datestamp, position 9, full and nearly even margins all around; tiny and virtually invisible surface scrape at top right, attractive Very Fine appearance, ex Caspary (noted in pencil covering back), "Golden Oak", "New Helvetia" and Middendorf, with 2005 P.F. certificate. Scott $12,500.
The other recorded used off-cover examples consist of one defective with a piece out at bottom, one with a thin spot and small tear (ex Gorham & Irwin Vogel), one with small faults (ex Alyeska, position 2), and one sound (ex D.K.); only two covers are recorded which have sold in the mid-six figures. We also note an example that appeared wtih central toning and a small tear but a very dubious cancel.(Image)
Estimate $10,000-15,000
Opening US$ 5,000.00
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Sale No: 841
Lot No: 2011
Symbol: (*)BL
Cat No: 143L7
Wells Fargo & Co., 1862-64, 10¢ brown (Scott 143L7), vertical block of 6, unused without gum, large margins at sides, full at top and bottom, Extremely Fine, ex Hall (as part of a complete plate reconstruction), Twigg Smith and "Erivan" (Haub). (Image)
Estimate $750-1,000
Opening US$ 375.00
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Sale No: 841
Lot No: 2012
Symbol: C
Cat No: U27
1860 (Dec. 1), California Pony Express New-York, earliest recorded use of the 12 known examples, clearly struck oval cancel in greenish-blue on 3¢ red star die entire (#U27) with patent address lines, manuscript "Pony Express" at bottom left and small "2.50" (rate) adjacent to indicia, addressed to "Messrs Crosby & Dibbler" in San Francisco; reverse with well-struck "Pony Express St Joseph Dec 6" oval Running Pony handstamp and manuscript "O.F.G."; very slightly reduced at left, Very Fine, this being the earliest recorded of the only 12 known westbound Pony Express covers with the California Pony Express dated handstamp.
The Pony Express, A Postal History book by Frajola, Kramer & Walske notes this westbound cover is part of the second peiod (July 31, 1860 to March 31, 1861); on page 28, it is written, "The Pony Express rate for a letter carried between San Francisco and St. Joseph was $2.50 per quarter ounce or less. The $2.50 rate…was often written in pencil…on covers carried. Unfortunately, many covers have had these notations erased." Illustrated on page 35 as part of the text and on page 138 as part of the census (#W25).
This cover demonstrates a loophole that allowed westbound mail to be sent in bundles from the East Coast to St. Joseph by mail with only 3¢ domestic postage (rather than 10¢ for over 3,000 miles) prepaid. This loophole was eliminated in the Act of February 27, 1861 and required 10¢ postage on any letter crossing the Rockies.(Image)
Estimate $15,000-20,000
Opening US$ 7,500.00
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Sale No: 841
Lot No: 2013
Symbol: C
Cat No: 143L1 on U33
Wells Fargo & Co., 1861, $2 red on 10¢ Nesbitt (Scott 143L1 on U33), huge to large margins at top and right including small parts of neighboring stamps, touched at bottom and left, tied by a wonderful strike of the blue "Pony Express San Francisco Jun. 5" (1861) Running Pony handstamp, manuscript "ans. June 20/61" at top between indicia and handstamp, addressed to New York City, the indicia cancelled by blue grid and matching indistinct St. Joseph Mo. circular datestamp, the stamp professionally repaired at top right and the entire gently cleaned, top backflap with a portion missing reinforced along the top of the entire, attractive Very Fine appearance. This stamp was in use for April, May and June 1861 (91 days) and the census in the Frajola, Kramer and Walske book records 37 143L1 covers (this is #E93), and images this cover on page 117, ex Lyons & Middendorf, with 1992 and 2020 P.F. certificates. Scott $32,500.
This cover was carried on the Wednesday, June 5, 1861, trip from San Francisco, which arrived at St. Joseph on June 17.(Image)
Estimate $15,000-20,000
Opening US$ 7,500.00
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Sale No: 841
Lot No: 2014
Symbol: (C)
Cat No: 143L3 on U32
Wells Fargo & Co., 1861, $1 red on 10¢ Nesbitt, the only recorded example of the Wells, Fargo & Co. Surcharged Entire Carried by the famed Pony Express (Scott 143L3 on U32), #143L1 position. R17, large top margin, other sides clear to slightly in, tied by blue "Pony Express, San Francisco, Aug. 7" (1861) Running Pony oval datestamp on rebacked front of 10¢ green on white star Die (#U32), with Wells Fargo & Company red printed frank and "PAID 50 Cts." surcharge overprint, addressed to New York City, where the indicia received a circular grid cancel, attractive Very Fine appearance. This is the only recorded example of the Wells, Fargo & Co. surcharged entire carried by the Pony Express, ex Dale Liechtenstein (lot 1515; purchased by Kramer) and Kramer (with his notes in pencil on the reverse). Scott $16,500.
Illustrated in Frajola, Kramer & Walske (census p. 124); this entire is a wonderful example from the fourth rate period (July 1 to October 26, 1861). The service technically ended on October 24 with the completion of the telegraph line and officially ended with a formal announcement of the end of eastbound mail on October 26 and westbound mail on October 31.
The "PAID 50 Cts." surcharge on Wells Fargo & Company franked entires was intended to indicate a premium rate for service, similar to Special Delivery, but not all surcharged entires were used for its intended purpose, including this entire. It is more likely, but not necessarily true, that this surcharged entire was used as a matter of convenience.(Image)
Estimate $7,500-10,000
Opening US$ 3,750.00
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Sale No: 841
Lot No: 2015
Symbol: C
Cat No: 143L8 on U34
Wells Fargo & Co., 1862-64, 25¢ blue on 3¢ Pink (Scott 143L8 on U34), with printed frank, stamp position 3 with ample to large margins all around and tied by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express, Sonora" oval datestamp, second strike cancels indicia; addressed to Mrs. C. C. Crittenden, San Francisco, the original letter datelined "Aurora April 24th" (1863) from her son Howard sadly no longer accompanies; P.F. notes the stamp with small faults and the entire with edge tears, which do not detract, Very Fine appearance, ex Reinhart, Gamett and Walske (with his initials and notes in pencil on reverse including "Boggs Type 3" and "sheet pos. 3"), with 2007 P.F. certificate. Scott $4,500.
Illustrated in Gamett's Nevada Express: Wells, Fargo & Co. and Other Letter Expresses 1857-1895 (p.38).(Image)
Estimate $3,000-4,000
Opening US$ 1,500.00
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Sale No: 841
Lot No: 2016
Symbol: C
Cat No: 143L8 on U35
Wells Fargo & Co., 1862-64, 25¢ blue on 3¢ Pink on Buff (Scott 143L8 on U35), with printed frank, stamp with huge margin at left, large to barely touched at top left, tied by blue "Wells, Fargo & Cos. Express S. Frco. 1 Jun" (1863) double circular datestamp, addressed to Gold Hill, Nevada Territory; small tear at top center just touches printed frank, Very Fine appearance, ex Walske (with his initials and notes in pencil on reverse including (stamp) "used 2/9/63-2/22/64"), with 2007 P.F. certificate. Scott $4,500. (Image)
Estimate $3,000-4,000
Opening US$ 1,500.00
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Sale No: 841
Lot No: 2017
Symbol: C
Cat No: 143L8 on U35
Wells Fargo & Co., 1862-64, 25¢ blue on 3¢ Pink on Buff (Scott 143L8 on U35), with black Wells Fargo company frank at top center, stamp with four margins, tied by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express, Virginia Cty, N.T." oval datestamp which also cancels indicia, addressed to San Francisco; entire restored at bottom and top left, handsome Very Fine appearance. Scott $4,500.
This was a private enterprise of Wells, Fargo & Co. for the rapid handling of mail between San Francisco and the mining region around Virginia City, Nevada. Mail traveled from San Francisco to Sacramento by boat, and from Sacramento by pony. The service began on Aug. 11, 1852 with an extra 10¢ fee, which was increased in 1863 to 25¢. The color of the 25¢ stamp was changed from blue to red in 1864. The service ended in early 1865.(Image)
Estimate $750-1,000
Opening US$ 375.00
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Sale No: 841
Lot No: 2018
Symbol: C
Cat No: 143L9 on U34
Wells Fargo & Co., 1862-64, 25¢ red on 3¢ Pink, Traveled west to San Francisco then East via Panama Steamer carried completely by Wells, Fargo outside of the mails (Scott 143L9 on U34), stamp with three large margins including frameline of neighboring left stamp and traces of neighboring stamps at right and bottom, ample to just into at top right, tied by blue "Wells Fargo & Co. Austin N.T. [Jan. 3]0" (1865) oval datestamp; blue "Wells, Fargo & Cos. Express S. Frco. 3 Feb." double-circle datestamp does double duty tying the stamp and canceling the indicia; printed frank at top center and addressed to Philadelphia; stamp with light soiling, Very Fine condition, ex Dale-Liechtenstein (lot 1525; purchased by Walske) and Walske (with his initials and notes in pencil on reverse, including route), with 1990 P.F. certificate. Scott $8,000 for typical use.
This phenomenal cover began its journey in Austin, Nevada Territory, traveling westward by Pony Express to San Francisco, then began its eastward journey on the PMSS Golden Age to Panama (which departed San Francisco on Feb. 3), the lack of any postal markings indicates "door-to-door" delivery by Wells Fargo only and outside of the mails. This cover is the only recorded Virginia City Pony Express Cover to the east coast, as well as the only recorded Virginia City Pony Express Cover that traveled by steamer via Panama to the east coast.(Image)
Estimate $10,000-15,000
Opening US$ 5,000.00
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Sale No: 841
Lot No: 2019
Symbol: C
Cat No: 143L9 on U35
Wells Fargo & Co., 1862-64, 25¢ red on 3¢ Pink on Buff (Scott 143L9 on U35), with printed frank, stamp with huge sheet margins at left, full margins other three sides, single strike of blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia Cty. N.T. Feb. 9" (1865) oval datestamp ties stamp and cancels indicia, addressed to Clara C. Crittenden in San Francisco; tiny nicks at top from rough opening, which are not noted on the certificate, Extremely Fine, ex Dr. Martin and Walske (with his initials and notes in pencil on reverse), with 1990 P.F. certificate. Scott $8,000. (Image)
Estimate $6,000-8,000
Opening US$ 3,000.00
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Sale No: 841
Lot No: 2020
Symbol: C
Cat No: 143L9 on U35
Wells Fargo & Co., 1862-64, 25¢ red on 3¢ Pink on Buff (Scott 143L9 on U35), with printed frank, stamp with three full margins and clear at left, tied by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia Cty. N.T. Feb. 28" (1865) oval datestamp (Leutzinger type 12-3 with "Cty"), second strike cancels indicia, addressed to R.A. Van Brunt in San Francisco; professional restoration including top backflap expertly reattached, sealed tear at top right, Extremely Fine appearance, with 2014 P.F. certificate (only noting the sealed tear). Scott $8,000.
Ex New Helvetia (where described as having a letter dated February 19, 1865, which no longer accompanies). This is significant because the Virginia Pony was terminated in July 1864 because the roads had improved so that stagecoaches could travel close to the same rate as the pony riders. However, rough weather the following winter engendered a need for the premium service which was revived from December 29, 1864, to March 2, 1865. This cover was carried during that short winter revival period.(Image)
