Lot
1005 
(Pony Express) Wells Fargo & Co., 1862-64, 25¢ red, clear to mostly large margins, tied by blue oval "Wells Fargo & Co., Virginia City N.T., Feb 28" handstamp (Leutzinger type 12-3 with "Cty"), struck twice with one canceling on 1861 3¢ pink entire to street address in San Francisco, black company frank at top, with original mining business enclosure datelined "Feby 19th 1865", some minor edge improvements not mentioned on certificate, Very Fine; with 2014 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 143L9+U35 Estimate $6,000 - 8,000.
A RARE AND CHOICE VIRGINIA CITY PONY EXPRESS USAGE WITH MINING BUSINESS ENCLOSURE FROM THE "LAST GASP" OF THE VIRGINIA PONY SERVICE.
The Virginia Pony was terminated in July of 1864 because the roads had been improved to the extent that stagecoaches were making just as good time as the pony riders. However, the following winter, after storms fowled the roads, the premium service was revived for another two months. The last gasp of the Virginia Pony was from December 29, 1864, to March 2, 1865.
Realized: $7,000