2c Black, E Grill, 12c Black
(69, 87). Each stamp tied by Leaf cancel, blue "Wells, Fargo & Co.
Victoria Dec. 5" (1868) oval datestamp and Wells, Fargo & Co. frank on
10c Green entire (U41) to London, England, unaddressed paste-up
usage, clear strike of blue "35" oval grid indicating prepayment of
internal postage at Victoria, Vancouver Island, red London receiving
datestamp (Jan. 9, 1869)VERY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE WELLS, FARGO & COMPANY EXPRESS USAGE FROM VANCOUVER ISLAND TO ENGLAND, SHOWING PROVISIONAL USE OF THE "35" CANCELLING DEVICE TO INDICATE PREPAID POSTAGE.
Wells, Fargo & Co. prepared franked entires with Vancouver Island/British Columbia postage by applying adhesive stamps or, presumably when stamps were not available, by having the post office apply its Coat of Arms oval or "35" oval grid. This rare example of the "35" provisional handstamp was prepaid with 24c U.S. postage for the double 12c rate to England. By the time the cover was received in London, the rate had already been reduced from 12c to 6c (effective Jan. 1, 1869).
#Ex Dale-Lichtenstein. With 2004 P.F. certificate. (Image)
12c Black, E. Grill, 24c Lilac
(78, 90). Tied by quartered cork cancels, used with British Columbia
1869 5c on 3p Bright Red (9), tied by blue "For Great Britain and
Ireland" two-line handstamp on 6c Dark Red, Reay entire (U86) with
Wells, Fargo & Co. frank and blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Victoria Jul.
14" (1870) oval datestamp, red New York transit, unaddressed paste-up usage
to EnglandVERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE AND UNUSUAL COMBINATION OF THE 1861 24-CENT, 1868 12-CENT E GRILL AND 1870 6-CENT REAY ENTIRE -- THREE DIFFERENT UNITED STATES ISSUES -- WITH THE BRITISH COLUMBIA REVALUED ISSUE ON A WELLS, FARGO & COMPANY EXPRESS COVER FROM VANCOUVER ISLAND TO ENGLAND.
This remarkable mixed franking was produced in July 1870 as the dwindling supplies of earlier U.S. 1861 and 1868 Grilled Issues were used with new Reay postal stationery to make up multiple rates. The rate from the U.S. to England was 6c at this time, therefore, the 42c U.S. postage prepays the seven-times rate for a 3-1/2 ounce paste-up entire. This is the only example of this combination we have located among major sales of Vancouver Island and British Columbia, such as Carr, Dale-Lichtenstein and Wellburn.
Ex Robertson. With 1992 P.F. certificate (Image)
3c Green (147). Rich
color, used with British Columbia 1869 5c on 3p Bright Red (9), both
stamps tied by circle of wedges cancel, third strike with "Cent. Pac.
R.R. Apr. 25" (1871) Central Pacific Railroad route agent's circular
datestamp, Wells, Fargo & Co. frank and blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express
Victoria V.I." oval handstamp on 3c Green, Reay entire (U82) to
London, England, 5c additionally tied by "For Great Britain and
Ireland" two-line handstamp and red London transit (May 17, 1871),
"Chicago Am. Pkt. Paid" backstamp, sender's routing "p. California",
light veritical fold, tiny tear at topVERY FINE. A SPECTACULAR MIXED-FRANKING WELLS, FARGO & COMPANY EXPRESS USAGE FROM VANCOUVER ISLAND TO ENGLAND. THE CONDITION OF THIS COVER IS FAR SUPERIOR TO THE FEW OTHERS KNOWN.
This cover brings together an array of mail routes and their corresponding frankings and markings. It begins with private express carriage from Vancouver Island to San Francisco, incorporating prepaid British Columbia postage and the Wells, Fargo & Co. printed frank. From San Francisco it travelled on the new transcontinental railroad and was postmarked by the Central Pacific Railroad route agent. Transatlantic steamship service between the United States and England occurred after handling by the Chicago foreign-mail exchange office, which ensured that the 6c treaty rate was properly prepaid. A review of major sales of British Columbia express covers during the 1865-71 period reveals how many surviving covers are disfigured by docketing across the stamps or later efforts to cross out or removed the address. This cover is one of the cleanest and most presentable of any we have located. The Bank Note Issue franking and use of the Central Pacific Railroad marking are very unusual.
Ex Dale-Lichtenstein. With 2004 P.F. certificate. (Image)
3c Green (158). Tied by
"propeller" cancel and "New York P.O. Jun. 10 11AM" circular datestamp,
used with pair of Canada 1873 3c Orange Red (37), trivial corner
creases, tied by "Barnard's Express" double-circle handstamp on
cover originating in Victoria, Vancouver Island, to New York City
street address, Wells, Fargo & Co. frank with "Victoria, Vancouver
Island" imprint, conjunctive usage with Barnard's British Columbia
Express frank, two strikes of blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Victoria"
dateless oval handstampEXTREMELY FINE. A LATE BARNARD'S EXPRESS USAGE AFTER FORMATION OF THE CANADIAN CONFEDERATION AND INTRODUCTION OF THE SMALL QUEEN ISSUE. MIXED-FRANKING EXPRESS COVERS FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA AND VANCOUVER ISLAND ARE EXCEEDINGLY RARE DURING THIS PERIOD.
After 1871 Barnard's Express covers to destinations within the United States are rarely seen with U.S. stamps. In this case it appears that the 3c was provided by Wells, Fargo & Co. to facilitate delivery by the post office in New York City.
Ex Dale-Lichtenstein. With 2004 P.F. certificate (Image)