Terms of SaleBid IncrementsGradingLinksContact

Sale 62: Western Postal History

Previous ChapterTable of ContentsNext Chapter

Wells, Fargo - Special Franks

Lots 688-692

Lot 688    

(Wells, Fargo & Co.) "W. F. & Co." Large Overprint, on 1864 3¢ pink entire used within San Francisco, entire with all-over advertising in light greenish blue of Importer of Cigars and Tobacco, blue "Paid" in oval express handstamp, vertical frank at left; some edge toning and slight soiling, Fine, very rare with only five or six known of the two varieties.
Estimate    $400 - 600.

This large "Wells, Fargo & Co." overprint was used on remainder covers of business who failed and turned in the unused envelopes to Wells, Fargo & Co. for credit of the unused postage.

Realized: $625

email this lot to a friend

Lot 689    

Wells, Fargo & Co., Paid, Through Our California and Atlantic Express, black printed frank (WFE-042a) located top left side of an unused 1864, 3¢ pink entire (U58) envelope, exceptionally fresh, Extremely Fine, only two examples of this frank type have been recorded on the three cent entire, the other is found on a used envelope to San Francisco.
Estimate    $100 - 150.

Realized: $80

email this lot to a friend

Lot 690    

Wells, Fargo & Co. Express, Paid., red printed Wells Fargo frank (WFE-031) on unused 1864, 3¢ pink entire, Very Fine, an unused example of a frank type that is found with the surcharge omitted (Boise Mines) below the frank, only two unused examples are known to exist with the missing surcharge.
Scott No. U58    Estimate $300 - 400.

Realized: $250

email this lot to a friend

Lot 691    

Wells, Fargo & Co., Paid, Over our California and Coast Routs (misspelling), black printed woodblock frank (WFE-001) on 1853 3¢ Nesbitt entire to Placerville, early red "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express, Sacramento" oval handstamp canceling; expert repair to back flap and top left corner, otherwise Very Fine.
Scott No. U10    Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.

THE FINEST KNOWN EXAMPLE OF THE WELLS, FARGO & CO. "ROUTS" ERROR WOODBLOCK FRANK.

This is the very rare type WFE-001 frank which is the key to collecting Wells Fargo franked envelopes. Four examples of this frank are recorded. Many consider the "Routs" spelling to be Wells Fargo's first printing of a franked envelope. This is the finest of the four known examples known to exist; three of the known examples are all addressed to the same person at Placerville, Cal.

Realized: $1,700

email this lot to a friend

Lot 692    

Wells, Fargo & Co., Paid, Over our California and Coast Routs (misspelling), black printed woodblock frank (WFE-001) on 1853 3¢ Nesbitt entire to Nevada, Cal., light early red "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express, Sacramento" oval handstamp canceling; expertly restored replacing top and one side flap, Very Fine appearance.
Estimate    $1,000 - 1,500.

This is the very rare type WFE-001 frank which is the key to collecting Wells Fargo franked envelopes. Four examples of this frank are recorded. Many consider the "Routs" spelling to be Wells Fargo's first printing of a franked envelope. Three of the known examples are address to Placerville, Cal this being the only known example addressed to Nevada City. This is also the only example that is docketed; the docketing of October, 1855 falls well within the expected time frame of usage for this rare frank.

Realized: $1,050

email this lot to a friend

Lots 688-692

Previous ChapterTable of ContentsNext Chapter