Lot
24 
Wells, Fargo & Co., Virginia Cty. N.T., Feb. 9, black oval handstamp on 1861 3¢ pink entire with company frank and separately applied printed Wells, Fargo & Co. surcharge "PAID 25 Cts.", addressed to San Francisco with pencil notation "Moved to Lehman Jewelry Store, What Cheer House", docketed "Feb 11/'64", a couple of minor stains, Very Fine, an exceptional example of the surcharged Wells, Fargo & Co. Frank used from Nevada, ex-Barkhausen.Estimate $300 - 400.
Author James Gammett sums up the questions regarding this type of Wells, Fargo & Co. Surcharged Frank on page 58 of his book, Nevada Express, Wells Fargo & Co. and Other Letter Expresses, 1857 - 1895, where he wrote, "So, were these surcharged envelopes recognized as prepaying the Virginia City pony express fee? Or were they used on a hazardous route from Idaho? Or were they simply printer's surplus waste used as regular envelopes? The census of known covers is probably not complete, but as the search for more information goes on, the true nature of theses covers remains a mystery." .
Current Opening Bid: $150