Sale 101: The Westpex Sale

Lot 620    

Wells, Fargo & Co., Portland, Oct 4, blue oval date stamp on 1861, 3¢ pink entire to Roseburg, Ogn., "Wells Fargo & Co., Boise Mines - Paid 50 Cts." red printed frank with "Paid 50 Cts." crossed out, Very Fine and unusual usage.
Scott Nos. U35    Estimate $200 - 300.

Realized: $260

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Lot 621    

(Pony Express - Virginia City) Wells, Fargo & Co., Aurora, Express, blue oval handstamp tying Wells Fargo & Co., 1862-64, 10¢ brown clear to large margins on 1861, 3¢ pink entire to San Francisco, with second strike canceling indicia, black company frank at top; small tear at top and reduced at right into indicia, Fine; with 2016 P.F. certificate.
Scott Nos. 143L7; $5,500    Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

Realized: $2,000

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Lot 622    

(Pony Express - Virginia City) Wells, Fargo & Co., Aurora, Express, blue oval handstamp cancelling on 1860, 3¢ pink entire to San Francisco and tying Wells Fargo & Co., 1862-64, 25¢ blue margins large to just touching at upper right, black company frank at top; some professional mending mostly in backflap, Very Fine.
Scott Nos. 143L8    Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.

A LOVELY VIRGINIA PONY EXPRESS USAGE FROM THE FAMOUS CRITTENDEN CORRESPONDENCE IN AURORA.

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Realized: $2,700

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Lot 623    

(Pony Express - Virginia City) Wells Fargo & Co., Sacramento, 23 Jan, two strikes of blue double-circle datestamp tie Wells Fargo & Co., 1862-64, 25¢ Blue (143L8), large margins to clear, bright color, on 3¢ pink (U35) buff entire to R.D. Morrow, Superintendent of the Savage Mine, Virginia City, Nevada Territory; restored and slightly reduced at left, Very Fine appearance.
Scott Nos. 143L8    $4,500.

A SCARCE EASTBOUND VIRGINIA CITY PONY EXPRESS USE FROM SACRAMENTO.

This was a Private Enterprise of Wells, Fargo & Co. for the rapid handling of letters between San Francisco and the mining region around Virginia City, Nevada. Adhesive stamps were affixed to Wells Fargo franked envelopes which for the extra charge indicated by the stamps, gave rapid service by pony. Letters went from San Francisco to Sacramento by Boat, then by Pony. The service started Aug. 11, 1852 with an extra Pony Charge of 10 cents. This rate was increased in 1863 to 25 cents. The color of the 25 cents was changed from blue to red in 1864 and the service was ended in early 1865.

Realized: $1,600

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Lot 624    

Wells, Fargo & Co., Aurora, Express, blue oval handstamp canceling on two 1861, 3¢ pink entires (one on white, other on buff) to San Francisco, the former with 3¢ buff paste-up on reverse, black company franks at top, F.-V.F.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $130

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Lot 625    

Wells, Fargo & Co's Express, From Aurora, black on orange label (Mosher WFCX-L545) with "Aurora" in manuscript with illustrated steamboat & train, affixed on legal size cover to the county clerk in Sacramento, with manuscript "Collect" crossed out and "Paid" notation added, reverse with "Depositions" docketing in a mining lawsuit between Pride of Utah and the Wild West Mine; small flaws to label, Very Fine.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $325

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Lot 626    

Wells, Fargo & Co., Aurora, Express, purple oval handstamp canceling on 2¢ brown entire to Genoa, with original 1882 enclosure; a bit reduced at left, F.-V.F.
Estimate    $100 - 150.

Realized: $110

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Lot 627    

Wells, Fargo & Co., Independence, Mar 29, blue oval date stamp on 1864, 3¢ pink entire to San Francisco, black company frank at top, Very Fine and scarce.
Estimate    $400 - 600.

Realized: $250

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Lot 628    

Wells, Fargo & Co., San Francisco, blue oval date stamp on 3¢ green entire to Bridgeport, Mono Co., Cal. with black company frank at top, F.-V.F., a scarce Mono county destination.
Estimate    $75 - 100.

Realized: $70

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