Lot
848 
Humboldt Express Co. "Paid - 50 Cents", two-line imprint frank on 3¢ pink (U35) buff entire to Jamestown Cal., cancelled by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co., Starr City N.t., Nov 16" oval datestamp; repaired with three flaps added and cover mend affecting "Co." of frank,cover expertly rebacked, Fine appearance and rare conjunctive use, Thomas WC8141, ex Dale-Lichtenstein, Whitington. Thomas No. HUM-001 Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
THE ONLY RECORDED USED EXAMPLE OF THIS HUMBOLDT EXPRESS CO. "PAID -50 CENTS." FRANK.
Humboldt Express Company was created in August 1864 as a consolidation of Cutler & Westerfield and Blake & McCommons. They originally operated from Idaho City to San Francisco with pony express service to Starr City, Nevada Territory and the Boise Basin. They connected with Wells, Fargo at Starr City. The express folded in 1865 due to the Paiute-Bannock Indian uprising that stopped all service in the Northern Nevada area. A 50¢ surcharge was added on mail from the Basin and South Boise Mines only. This cover from the Boise Area carried by Humboldt Express to Starr City and turned over to Wells, Fargo & Company for delivery to Jamestown, Cal.
Realized: $1,100