Sale 60: The Westpex Auction

Lot 731    

Wells Fargo & Co., Calico, Cal., red" Express" type 10-11 handstamp applied on 1884, 2¢ brown (U277) entire posted from the ghost town to San Bernardino, black printed frank (WFE-060); opened and reduced at right slightly into indicia, still a Very Fine strike.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Realized: $120

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Lot 732    

Wells Fargo & Co's Express, California & Mexican Coast Routes, Paid 10 Cents, black printed franked at top of cover to San Francisco, Cal., franked with 1879, 1c + 2c Juarez Issues, La Paz, cons 3079, 1c single with overprint and pair of later, tied by purple grid handstamps, Cota & Pelaez corner card at left, reverse with 1880 company date stamp and "Franco En La Paz, 17 Set, 80" oval date stamp; margin nick at bottom of left 2c and a few cover tone spots, otherwise Very Fine, a very rare usage of this black Wells, Fargo & Co. California & Mexican Coast Route frank from La Paz, only a few are known.
Scott Nos. Mexico 123+124    Estimate $750 - 1,000.

Realized: $950

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Lot 733    

Wells Fargo & Co's Express, California & Mexican Coast Routes, Paid 10 Cents, blue printed franked at top of cover to San Francisco, Cal., franked with 1882, 5c Juarez, Mazatlan, cons 2782 tied by blue Wells, Fargo & Co., Mexican Route oval handstamp, with blue Wells, Fargo & Co's Express printed franked at top, "Wells, Fargo & Co., Guaymas, Mexo." oval transit handstamp; cover slightly reduced at right, Very Fine, a very rare usage of the blue Wells, Fargo & Co. California & Mexican Coast Route frank from Mazatlan.
Scott Nos. Mexico 133    Estimate $500 - 750.

Realized: $2,100

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Lot 734    

Wells Fargo & Co., Daggett, Cal., very rare red date stamp (type 16-2) on 1874, 3¢ green entire (U163) to Los Angeles, black printed frank (WFE-030) at top; reduced slightly at right, Very Fine, two or three examples are possibly known from this location.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $160

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Lot 735    

Wells Fargo & Co., Elko, Mar 13, blue oval date stamp on 1874, 3¢ green (U163) entire posted to San Jose, Cal., with allover shaded ad of Russell & Bradley, black printed frank (WFE-030a) at left and San Jose receiving mark on reverse; small tear at bottom right, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Russell ran a freight and pack train between Placerville and Virginia City before forming a partnership with the Father and Son team of Lewis and John Bradley. Lewis Bradley went on to become the second Governor of Nevada.

Realized: $900

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Lot 736    

Wells Fargo & Co., Indian Diggins, clear brownish oval handstamp on 1853, 3¢ Nesbitt entire to San Francisco, black early printed frank type (WFE-020); reduced at right a bit into indicia, a Very Fine strike, with only two examples known from this gold ghost town.
Estimate    $1,000 - 1,500.

The other example set a record for a Wells Fargo handstamp in our December 2002 auction when it sold from Basil Pierce's Collection for $4,600 and then resold several years later for over $3,000. This example is a sister to the above listed cover being reduced slightly at the right but strike equal in quality in all respects. Both examples are addressed to Kimball (Noisy Carriers) on Long Wharf.

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Lot 737    

Wells Fargo & Co., Kernville, Sep 17, beautiful dark blue strike of oval date stamp on 1883, 2¢ red (U231) entire; reduced slightly at right, Very Fine, two examples of the rare Kernville 11-9 handstamp are known.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $325

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Lot 738    

Wells Fargo & Co., Markleeville, May 15, blue oval date stamp on 1860, 3¢ pink franked entire to Oakland, Cal., forwarded to San Francisco with red "J. Bamber & Co., S.F., May 17" cds; cover a bit reduced at left, Very Fine, a scarce express combination.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Realized: $210

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Lot 739    

Wells Fargo & Cos. Express, New York, Jun 2, ultramarine double-circle datestamp ties well centered 10¢ green (68) on light buff cover to San Francisco Cal., endorsed "North Star" at top left; reduced slightly at left with small corner mend at bottom left, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

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Lot 740    

Wells Fargo & Co. Express, New York, Nov 1, blue cds tying 1861, 10¢ green on 1861, 10¢ green entire (U41) to San Francisco, black printed frank WFE-042a located top left side; small cover edge tears at bottom and stamp vertical torn at left, Very Fine appearance, six examples of this East Coast frank WFE-042a are recorded on ten cent rated envelopes, all used from New York.
Scott Nos. 68    Estimate $300 - 400.

Realized: $270

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