Sale 101: The Westpex Sale

Lot 1035    

Wells, Fargo & Co's Express, Pioche, Nev., black on orange label tied by indistinct blue Wells, Fargo & Co. oval handstamp on orange buff cover to Cathey's Valley, Cal.; some minor scuffs on label, Very Fine and rare tied by Wells Fargo label.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Pioche, now a virtual ghost town, was situated about 180 miles northeast of Las Vegas at an elevation of over 6000 feet. It was known for its gunfights and lawlessness. This cover was carried by Wells Fargo stage across the Sierras to Cathey's Valley, Cal.

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Realized: $550

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Lot 1036    

Wells, Fargo & Co's Express, Placerville, Cal., black on orange label on 1868 oversized yellow courthouse cover to Sacramento, with additional black on yellow C.O. D. label folded over bottom of cover, pencil "$7.00" indicating collection from clerk, 1868 docketing and filing notes; reduced at left, usual edge wear, Fine.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Large format yellow C.O.D. labels were used from the late 1850s in conjunction with town labels. Their large size meant they were sometimes wrapped around the envelope so as not to obscure address.

Realized: $210

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Lot 1037    

Wells, Fargo & Co's Express, Plymouth, Cal., black on orange label, affixed on cover to Placerville, Cal., purple crayon "Pd" indicating prepaid; reduced slightly at right, Very Fine.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $200

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Lot 1038    

Wells, Fargo & Co's Express, Portland, Or., red on orange label, corner missing, affixed on 1881 legal-size cover with pencil "Paid 2/-" express rating to Roseburg, Oregon, endorsed "Valuable" at top left, pencil Sept. 7th 1881 docketing at left; some erosion mostly at corners and small opening nick, F.-V.F. and scarce Oregon express label use.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $200

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Lot 1039    

Wells, Fargo & Co's Express, Prescott, A.T., black on orange express label, oxidized, affixed along with black on yellow "C.O.D." label on legal-size cover to Evanston Ill., manuscript "COD 10⁵⁰ and all chgs" along top; 1888 docketing; cover faults including edge tear, Fine and scarce Arizona Territory express label.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Realized: $170

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Lot 1040    

Wells, Fargo & Co's Express, Salinas, Cal., black on orange express label, small flaws, affixed along with black on yellow "C.O.D." label on legal-size cover to North San Juan, Cal., manuscript "C.O.D. 2.25" at left; reduced slightly at right, F.-V.F.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $180

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Lot 1041    

Wells, Fargo & Co's Express, San Diego, Cal., black on orange label, affixed on legal-size cover to San Francisco Cal., purple crayon "Paid 25" express rating, pencil "2"; couple cover tears, F.-V.F.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $190

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Lot 1042    

Wells, Fargo & Co's Express, San Francisco (Valencia Sta.), Cal., black on red label, torn prior to use, affixed 3¢ pink (U59) entire with Wells Fargo frank to Monitor, Cal., also struck with blue "Wells, Fargo & Co., San Francisco, Nov 19" oval, backflap with blue 1870 San Francisco merchant's oval, 1870 docketing at left; some edge wear, Very Fine and extremely rare Wells Fargo label.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Realized: $300

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Lot 1043    

Wells, Fargo & Co's Express, San Francisco, black on white label, light gum staining from affixing on buff courthouse cover to Sacramento, Cal., manuscript "Collect" and pencil "$100"; file docketing, reduced slightly at ends, Fine.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $170

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Lot 1044    

Wells, Fargo & Co's Express, S.C. (Seasonal Contract), black on white label (Mosher WFCX-L377) affixed on legal-size yellow cover with preprinted address to Pilot Peak Lodge No. 91, Gibsonville Cal., red intaglio "Wells Fargo & Co's Express, San Francisco, Jun 14 1897" rectangular handstamp; stain at top left and small edge tears, refolded at left, F.-V.F.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Wells Fargo had a contract with the stage company operating in the summer and fall to towns on the Gibsonville Ridge at about 8000 feet elevation - Area was inaccessible in the winter months.

Realized: $425

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