Lot
748 
Waldron's Kootenai Express., fancy printed frank at bottom right, used in conjunction with "Wells, Fargo & Co." printed frank on 3¢ pink (U59) buff envelope canceled by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co., Walla Walla, Oct 20" oval to Dalles City, Oregon; light stains and reduced at right, otherwise Very Fine, Thomas Census unlisted, ex-Knapp, Dale-Lichtenstein. Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS FANCY WALDRON'S KOOTENAI EXPRESS FRANK AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS, THE OTHER IS ENSCONCED IN THE WILTSEE COLLECTION.
In early 1865, Dave Waldron started running an express service between the Kootenai Mines in Canada and Walla Walla, Washington Territory, where he connected with Wells Fargo & Co. In April 1866, he and two partners, Sam Buchanan and W. Edgar, created the Waldron & Company Blackfoot Express that operated between Walla Walla and Helena, Montana Territory. About one year later, they curtailed the route to Walla Walla and concentrated on the Montana region.
Realized: $2,000