Sale 56: The Westpex Sale

Lot 729    

Bannack City Express, semi-circle black handstamp (BAN-100) with magenta manuscript "c.o.d", on cover to Bannack City, Idaho, franked with grid cancelled 1861, 3¢ rose tied by grid with "Cleveland, O." origin postmark, edge wear and couple small tears, F.-V.F. and rare.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

The Bannack City Express provided service between Virginia City, Bannack City, Montana and Salt Lake City, from 1864 to 1866, when it was acquired by Ben Holladay.

Realized: $200

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Lot 730    

Burdin's Express, Between Port Townsend and Port Discovery., blue five-line handstamp frank (BUR-400) on 1870, 3¢ green entire to Port Discovery, W.T.; cover reduced at left slightly into frank, still Very Fine.
Estimate    $3,000 - 4,000.

THE ONLY EXAMPLE OF THIS WASHINGTON TERRITORIAL EXPRESS IN PRIVATE HANDS.

This express is believed to be a boat operation that ran between Port Townsend and Port Discovery. Two different type franks are known from this express with two examples recorded for each type frank. One example of each frank type is located in the Wiltsee Collection.

Realized: $2,900

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Lot 731    

Central Overland California & Pike's Peak Express Company, Denver City, K.T., Oct 11, oval date stamp on cover addressed to St. Joseph, Mo. and endorsed "per C.O.C. & P.P. Exp. Co." at bottom left, with additional "Central Overland California & Pike's Peak Express Company, St. Joseph, Mo., Oct 17" receiving date stamp, placed in the mails with target handstamp canceling 1857, 3¢ dull red; stamp corner flaw and cover with partial backflap, otherwise Very Fine, a very rare usage showing both the origin and receiving express handstamps on front.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

Realized: $600

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Lot 732    

J.F. Forman's Gallatin Express, red, black & blue printed frank (FOM-001) on 1864, 3¢ pink entire, with "Leaves Virginia Weekly for Sterling, Gallatin City and Bozeman"; trivial scuff at lower right, Very Fine, one of three recorded examples of this Montana Territorial Express frank (one residing in the Wiltsee collection.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Realized: $220

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Lot 733    

Langton's, Pioneer Express, From "Unionville" (Nev.), black on yellow label (Mosher LGTX-L1) with manuscript "Unionville" town designation and "Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Express, From 'Nevada' " black on orange label (Mosher WFCX-L548) with manuscript town designation, on buff legal-size cover to San Francisco Cal., endorsed "Free to Nevada" and "Coll" at top; crease at center and light edge wear, Very Fine and rare use.
Estimate    $1,000 - 1,500.

Western Express Company Labels used conjunctively on cover are exceedingly rare, and this cover, carried over the same route as that used by Langton's Humboldt Express, is a prime example of such a usage. We offered a similar use in our Sale 41 (lot 783) that realized $1,265.

Realized: $1,200

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Lot 734    

Wells Fargo & Co. Express, Nogales, Ariz., Dec 23, 1892, bold purple oval date stamp (Meyer 11, rarity 6) on 1887, 2¢ green entire to New York City, company frank and reverse with "Messenger 162" oval and New York straight line company handstamps, Very Fine and choice.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Realized: $525

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Lot 735    

Wells Fargo & Co., Bannock City, I.T., Mar 13, superb strike of blue oval date stamp on 1860, 3¢ pink entire to San Francisco, with "Boise Mines - Paid 50 Cts." red frank at top, Extremely Fine and choice, a magnificent usage of the Boise Mines red frank.
Estimate    $1,000 - 1,500.

Realized: $2,600

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Lot 736    

Wells Fargo & Co., Bannock City, I.T., Mar 20, blue oval handstamp on fresh 1860, 3¢ pink entire to Dalles, with "Boise Mines - Paid 50 Cts." red frank at top; reduction at left, Very Fine and choice.
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

Realized: $500

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Lot 737    

Wells Fargo & Co. Express, From Lawrence, Kansas, violet circular handstamp on locally addressed 1884, 2¢ brown entire, matching 1885 straight line date stamp; slight reduction, Very Fine, quite possibly a unique marking from Kansas.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Realized: $180

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Lot 738    

Wells, Fargo & Co.'s, Express, from, Syracuse, Kas., black on orange label (Mosher WFCX-L477) affixed on blue 1887 legal-size envelope to Monmouth Ill. sent C.O.D. containing legal documents, additional label on reverse with slightly different font type; usual edge faults, Fine.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

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