Lot
1243 
Wells Fargo & Co., Express, Sacramento, blue oval handstamp on 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire to Sonora, with Blue Company Printed Frank at top left, Very Fine, a very scarce special company frank on a 1853 3¢ Nesbitt entire. Estimate $200 - 300.
It is speculated that the blue frank designated special carriage on the Sacramento River steamboats, because Wells Fargo's handstamped "Steamboat" markings cease to appear at just the time when the blue franks come into use.