Lot
1154 
(English & Wells) Moores Flat Express/May 10. Blue oval at lower left on 1864 3¢ pink entire with Pacific Union red printed frank to San Francisco, entered the mails with "Nevada City, Cal., May 29" cds and quartered cork cancel, Very Fine, an outstanding example of this rare Express marking, ex-Clifford, Haas, and "Edwards", illustrated in Nathan's Franks of Western Expresses (page 140) and Coburn's Letters of Gold (page 204). Estimate $750 - 1,000.
The two standard references identify Moore's Flat Express as an independent company, and this cover with its blue datestamp has been offered previously as the only cover known from that company. However, one needs to search no further than the two standard references to find illustrated another cover with the supposedly unique blue datestamp along with an English & Wells frank (page 65 in Nathan and page 183 in Coburn). Another such cover was sold in the 2004 Lichtenstein sale (lot 1192).
The hints of glue on the back of this cover suggest that it was once part of a paste-up with another cover, which probably had an English & Wells frank. English & Wells normally connected with Wells Fargo at Nevada City. This cover was likely mailed instead of exchanged because of the Pacific Union frank. The cover was never carried by Pacific Union. Wells Fargo and the upstart Pacific Union were fierce rivals until the older company absorbed the younger one in 1869.
Realized: $2,000