Lot
1527 (
)
(Idaho Expresses) Tracy & Co.'s Oregon Express / Salmon River Express, printed franks on 1861 3¢ pink entire to Wisconsin, entered the mails with Portland, Or., Jun 21, 1862 double circle postmark (Whittlesey 6, R 4), uprated to meet the 10¢ transcontinental rate with 1861 1¢ blue and 1861 3¢ rose pair (s.e. at right) tied by grid cancels, cover front only that has been rebacked and repaired around the edges, Fine appearance, ex-Barkhausen. Estimate $300 - 400.
This cover is in fact a Wells Fargo cover. Wells Fargo bought out Tracy's Salmon River Express and also his Nez Perces Express effective April 1, 1862, which also happened to be the start of the 1862 mining season. As a result, nearly all Tracy Salmon River covers including this one are actually posthumous Wells Fargo uses of Tracy franks.
Realized: $425