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Sale 79: The George J. Kramer Collection of Western Trails and Routes

Table of Contents

Western Express - Nevada & Utah

Lot 3369    

Humbolt Express Co., printed reply envelope with "Agent of Humboldt Express Co." crossed out and addressed to Sacramento Cal., original enclosure datelined "Sheep Ranch, Bois Valley, I.Territory, Feb. 25th 1865", used as paste-up with manuscript "Paid 25¢" express rating, pencil "10 Weeks under Snowslide" at left, pasted to 3¢ pink (U34) entire with printed Wells Fargo frank and cancelled by blue "Wells Fargo & Co., La Grande" oval handstamp, pencil "Came to Hand, May 31st 1865" endorsement; covers separated and faulty as to be expected, Fine.
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

A REMARKABLE CONJUNCTIVE HUMBOLDT AND WELLS FARGO EXPRESS USE DELAYED DUE TO SNOW SLIDE, ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED.

This letter should have been carried into Wells Fargo at Virginia City, Nevada, however, because of heavy snow on that route, the letter was carried north to Oregon. En route, it was buried "Ten weeks under Snowslide". After the spring thaw, it was retrieved with note "Came on Hand May 31, 1865" into Wells Fargo & Co. at La Grande Oregon for transit to Sacramento. There is one other cover with an identical "snowslide" inscription, which was written and signed by "Vincent Norten".

The Humboldt Express Co. establishment was announced in the Idaho Tri-Weekly Statesman of August 1864. It operated for about one year and ran a "pony express" from Boise, Idaho Territory area to Virginia City, Nevada Territory. It ceased operations because of the Paiute-Bannock Indian uprising.

Realized: $850

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