Sale 62: Western Postal History

Lot 562    

(San Francisco) Wells Fargo & Co. Express, San Francisco, light but clear red oval handstamp (Leutzinger type 1-23) on 1853 folded letter sheet to an assemblyman at Benecia, Cal., in conjunction with blue Forwarded By, Todd's Express, Stockton oval handstamp with manuscript 50¢ express fee, small internal cover hole, F.-V.F., ex-Kramer, Tatham.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

This cover is ex Kramer and for many years was believed to be the earliest West Coast cover because it is date inside Stockton, May 10, 1852. It is now reasonable proven that the date is 1853 and the writer made a mistake when he wrote the letter. An analysis by Frank Newton is enclosed. This along with the Sacramento Leutzinger type 1-23 are the earliest regular Wells Fargo handstamps and are both extremely rare.

Realized: $750

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Lot 563    

(San Francisco) Wells, Fargo & Co. Express/San Francisco, perfect strike of blue octagonal handstamp tying 1851 3¢ dull red (slightly in at bottom) on cover to the San Joaquin County Recorder in Stockton, Extremely Fine, a rare and beautiful classic Wells, Fargo & Co. usage.
Estimate    $1,000 - 1,500.

Realized: $3,250

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Lot 564    

(San Francisco) Wells Fargo & Co. Express, San Francisco, blue octagonal boxed handstamp (Leutzinger type 1-15) on stampless folded letter to Robinson's Ferry "via Sonora", letter is headed "San Fran May 15 /54" and concerns personal and business matters, letter with some bleach spots & silked on one side, Fine.
Estimate    $100 - 150.

Realized: $160

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Lot 565    

(San Francisco) Wells, Fargo & Co's Express, From San Francisco, black on lilac ornate printed forwarding label (Mosher WFCX-L270), with manuscript pencil "Coll. 50¢" tying label on 1853 3¢ Nesbitt entire to Vallejo, black company frank; some gum staining & edge tears, Fine, a very rare early label with only a few known.
Estimate    $400 - 600.

Realized: $375

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Lot 566    

(San Francisco) Wells Fargo & Co. Express, From San Francisco, Forwarded By, black on pink express label affixed around bottom of cover to Placerville, Cal., with "Draft $145.50, Collect $3.00" notation at top, reverse with blue "Wells, Fargo & Co., 82 Broadway, New York, California and European Express" shield cameo corner card on backflap and wax seal "Wells, Fargo, Bankers, New York" impression, Very Fine, a scarce eastbound express usage.
Estimate    $400 - 600.

Realized: $425

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Lot 567    

(San Francisco) Wells, Fargo & Co. Express, San Francisco, blue oval handstamp with matching "Paid" in oval handstamp on 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire to Sacramento, entire with blue Meader, Lolar & Co. illustrated full rigged ship corner card, accompanied by contemporary ad with similar rigged ship illustration; slight edge stain at bottom left, still Very Fine, a very scarce illustrated corner card.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Meader, Lolar & Co. where agents for the Gidden & Williams clipper ship line.

Realized: $450

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Lot 568    

(San Francisco) Wells, Fargo & Co. Express, San Francisco, blue oval handstamp (Leutzinger type 3-1) on 1853, 3¢ red entire to Marysville, Cal., black Haller type E (in normal position) printed frank, 1857 docketing, Very Fine, ex-Leutzinger.
Estimate    $75 - 100.

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Lot 569    

(San Francisco) Wells, Fargo & Co's Express/S. Frco/Dec. 31, bold blue double circle handstamp on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire with company frank to Roseburg, Oregon, entire with large ornate merchant's printed advertising of "H. Sharp & Co./No. 65 California Street,/San Francisco", docketing indicates "1860" usage, visually striking and Extremely Fine cover.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

Realized: $750

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Lot 570    

(San Francisco) Wells, Fargo & Co. Express, S. Frco., Oct 30, blue cds on 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire to Roseburgh, Oregon, black printed frank at top and fancy H. Sharp & Co. corner card at left, dropped at the Roseburgh post office with indistinct blue cds canceling indicia, Very Fine and choice.
Estimate    $400 - 600.

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Lot 571    

(San Francisco) Wells, Fargo & Cos Express, S. Frco., 2 Apr, double-circle datestamp ties 3¢ dull red (26) on yellow cover to John G. Downey, Governor of California, Sacramento City, paste-up on reverse with perfect blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express, San Quentin" oval handstamp cancels 3¢ red (U9) entire, printed black Wells Fargo paid frank; reduced slightly at left, Very Fine.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

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