Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. Sale

2005 Rarities of the World, Part Two continued...

**Western Express Franks continued...**
Lot	Sym.	Lot Description	Est/Cat	Realized
702		Tracy & Co.'s Oregon Express. Printed frank in scroll (Haller FT10, Ty. 1) on 3c Red Star Die entire (U27 -- unlisted in Haller) to Portland Ore., ms. "Paid", no express markings, few ink spots and slight wrinkles at left, otherwise Very Fine, scarce, ex Chaloner (Image)	E. 750-1,000	650.00
703		Tracy & Co.'s Express. Printed frank in Old English type with ornamental frame (Haller FT10, Ty. 3) on 3c Red Nesbitt entire to Walla Walla, Washington Territory, clearly struck blue "Tracy & Cos. Express Dalles" oval handstamp, "Aug 60" docketing on back, small sealed opening tear at top VERY FINE. A FRESH AND ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THIS EXTREMELY RARE FRANK OF TRACY & COMPANY'S EXPRESS FROM OREGON TO WASHINGTON TERRITORY. This cover was carried by Tracy & Co. from The Dalles about 160 miles inland to Walla Walla in Washington Territory. A similar cover to Portland realized $2,600 hammer in the recent Dale-Lichtenstein sale. Ex Dale-Lichtenstein (Image)	E. 2,000-3,000	2,500.00
704		Tracy & Co.'s Express. Printed frank with Old English type and ornate frame (Haller FT10, Ty. 4) on 3c Red Nesbitt entire (U10) to Salem Ore., commission merchant's return card at lower left, blue "Tracy & Cos. Express Portland" oval handstamp, slightly reduced at left and right, sealed tear at top, otherwise Very Fine, an extremely rare frank, carried about 50 miles south from Portland to Salem, ex Dale-Lichtenstein (Image)	E. 1,000-1,500	850.00
705		Tracy & Co.'s Oregon Express. "Paid Over Tracy & Co's Oregon Express" three-line printed frank in conjunction with Wells, Fargo & Co. frank (Haller FT10 Ty. 2) on 3c Red Nesbitt entire (U10) addressed to "Walla Walla (Village) near New Fort Walla Walla W.T." in Washington Territory, bold clear strike of blue "Tracy & Cos. Express Portland" oval handstamp, lightly soiled, otherwise Very Fine, this combination frank is one of the rarest of the Tracy & Co. Oregon Express franks, only one example was available until the Dale-Lichtenstein dispersal, five recorded by Forster, but only two with frank over the 3c embossed stamp, this cover was carried by Tracy & Co. from Portland about 250 miles inland to Walla Walla in Washington Territory (circa 1859-60), ex Dale-Lichtenstein, with 2004 P.F. certificate (Image)	E. 1,000-1,500	2,100.00
706		Turner's Pony Express. Illustrated horse and rider frank (Haller FT16) with inscription "Turner's Pony Express, from Jacobsville to all parts of the Reese River Mines. Dispatches promptly attended to." and "Paid to all parts of the state" around embossed stamp on 3c Pink entire (U34) addressed in pencil to James M. Reynolds at Placerville with "Care of Mr. Browne" instructions, about -1/3 inch of left edge restored, cleaned and other minor repairs FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS SPECTACULAR ILLUSTRATED FRANK, USED DURING THE BRIEF OPERATION OF TURNER'S PONY EXPRESS IN NEVADA IN 1863. A detailed history of Turner's Pony Express is provided in Gamett's Nevada Express book (pp. 139-144). Months after the May 1862 discovery of silver in the Reese River mines, base towns grew at Jacob's Spring (renamed Jacobsville), Clifton and Austin. G. L. Turner advertised an express with offices in each of the three towns as early as May 1863, but it appears that within months the express was abandoned or sold to Wells, Fargo & Company. The rivalry between base towns ended when the county seat was moved from Jacobsville to Austin in September 1863, which effectively turned the other two into ghost towns. Only three examples of Turner's frank are recorded: 1) May 1, 1863, ms. Jacobsville N.T. postmark, to James Reynolds, Placerville, ex Edwards, Gamett, 2) Sep. 26 (1863), WF & Co. Austin oval, to H. Rumsfield, Salt Lake City U.T., ex Polland, Jacobitz, and 3) Undated (no markings), to James Reynolds, Placerville, repaired, ex Clifford, Hawley, Kramer, the cover offered here. This franked entire appears to have been carried outside the mails to Placerville. With 2001 P.S.E. certificate (Image)	E. 1,500-2,000	4,250.00
707		Vera's Express. Printed frank (Haller FV1) on 3c Red Nesbitt entire (U10) to Oroville Cal. EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE TWO FINEST EXAMPLES OF THIS EXTREMELY RARE WESTERN EXPRESS FRANK, OF WHICH ONLY FIVE ARE RECORDED. There is very little known about Vera's Express, other than it ran between Oroville and Marysville, connecting with Wells, Fargo & Company's routes from Marysville. Only five examples of its distinctive frank are known, of which this and the example offered in lot 708 are in the finest condition. Two of the five have additional Wells, Fargo & Co. franks. One cover has a manuscript "July 1860" date, and another has a "Wells, Fargo & Co. Marysville Apr. 23" datestamp. Ex Dale-Lichtenstein. With 2004 P.F. certificate (Image)	E. 2,000-3,000	2,700.00
708		Vera's Express. Printed frank (Haller FV1) on 3c Red Nesbitt entire (U10), paste-up conjunctive usage with faint strikes of blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express Oroville" oval handstamps, adhesive residue and minor thinning from paste-up on back, tiny nick at bottom left EXTREMELY FINE. ONLY FIVE EXAMPLES OF THE VERA'S EXPRESS FRANK ARE RECORDED. THE CONDITION OF THIS EXAMPLE PLACES IT AMONG THE TWO FINEST. Vera's Express ran between Oroville and Marysville, connecting with Wells, Fargo & Company. Only five examples of its distinctive frank are known, of which this and the example offered in lot 707 are in the finest condition. Two of the five have additional Wells, Fargo & Co. franks. One cover has a manuscript "July 1860" date, and another has a "Wells, Fargo & Co. Marysville Apr. 23" datestamp. (Image)	E. 2,000-3,000	2,100.00
709		Waldron & Co.'s Blackfoot Express. Two-line printed frank with ornamental frame (Haller FW2) vertically at left in conjunction with Wells, Fargo & Co. frank on 3c Pink entire (U59) to Dalles O., blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Walla Walla Apr. 13" oval datestamp, slightly reduced at right, two pinholes in stamp VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE WALDRON & COMPANY'S BLACKFOOT EXPRESS FRANK. CARRIED BY WALDRON & CO. FROM MONTANA TERRITORY TO WALLA WALLA IN WASHINGTON TERRITORY, AND FROM THERE BY WELLS, FARGO & COMPANY TO DALLES, OREGON. In 1865 Dave Waldron started his Kootenai Express from Walla Walla to the Kootenai Mines. In April 1866 he and two partners, Sam Buchanan and W. Edgar, created the Waldron & Co. Blackfoot Express between Walla Walla and Helena, Montana Territory. About one year later they curtailed the route to Walla Walla and concentrated on the Montana region. This cover probably dates to April 1866 or possibly 1867, and it demonstrates the connection with Wells, Fargo & Co. at Walla Walla for destinations in Oregon. Ex Dale-Lichtenstein. With 2004 P.F. certificate (Image)	E. 2,000-3,000	1,900.00
710		Wheeler, Rutherford & Co.'s Express. Printed frank in woodcut ribbon frame (Haller FW11) on 3c Pink entire (U58) to San Francisco, blue oval return card handstamp of "Dr. E. L. Willard, Book & Drug Store, Established 1858, LaPorte, Sierra Co. Cal.", conjunctive use with "Wells, Fargo & Co. Marysville Mar. 29" (ca. 1864-66) blue double-oval datestamp, Extremely Fine, Dr. Willard was Wheeler, Rutherford & Co.'s agent in LaPorte, illustrated in Letters of Gold, ex Clifford and Edwards (Image)	E. 1,000-1,500	950.00
711		Whiting & Co.'s Feather River Express. Printed frank (Haller FW12, Ty. 2) on 10c Green Nesbitt entire (U15) to Lee Mass., carried by Whiting & Co. to the post office, "Meadow Valley Cala. Jan. 23" circular datestamp (ca. 1858-60), fresh and Very Fine, franks from this long-running express (1857-68) are abundant, but early usages to the mails for the East Coast are very scarce and few are of this choice quality (Image)	E. 750-1,000	750.00
712		Whiting & Co.'s Feather River Express. Printed frank (Haller FW12, Ty. 2) on 10c Green Nesbitt entire (U16) to East Longmeadow Mass., carried by Whiting & Co. to the post office, "Marysville Cal. Paid by Stamps Jul. 4" blue circular datestamp (ca. 1858-59) and matching fancy crossroads cancel, minor edge wrinkles and tiny tear at top, otherwise Very Fine, a most attractive express usage to the mails (Image)	E. 750-1,000	900.00

Western Express Franks continued...

Lot

Sym.

Lot Description

Est/Cat

Realized

702

Tracy & Co.'s Oregon Express. Printed frank in scroll (Haller FT10, Ty. 1) on 3c Red Star Die entire (U27 -- unlisted in Haller) to Portland Ore., ms. "Paid", no express markings, few ink spots and slight wrinkles at left, otherwise Very Fine, scarce, ex Chaloner (Image)

E. 750-1,000

650.00

703

Tracy & Co.'s Express. Printed frank in Old English type with ornamental frame (Haller FT10, Ty. 3) on 3c Red Nesbitt entire to Walla Walla, Washington Territory, clearly struck blue "Tracy & Cos. Express Dalles" oval handstamp, "Aug 60" docketing on back, small sealed opening tear at top

VERY FINE. A FRESH AND ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THIS EXTREMELY RARE FRANK OF TRACY & COMPANY'S EXPRESS FROM OREGON TO WASHINGTON TERRITORY.

This cover was carried by Tracy & Co. from The Dalles about 160 miles inland to Walla Walla in Washington Territory. A similar cover to Portland realized $2,600 hammer in the recent Dale-Lichtenstein sale.

Ex Dale-Lichtenstein (Image)

E. 2,000-3,000

2,500.00

704

Tracy & Co.'s Express. Printed frank with Old English type and ornate frame (Haller FT10, Ty. 4) on 3c Red Nesbitt entire (U10) to Salem Ore., commission merchant's return card at lower left, blue "Tracy & Cos. Express Portland" oval handstamp, slightly reduced at left and right, sealed tear at top, otherwise Very Fine, an extremely rare frank, carried about 50 miles south from Portland to Salem, ex Dale-Lichtenstein (Image)

E. 1,000-1,500

850.00

705

Tracy & Co.'s Oregon Express. "Paid Over Tracy & Co's Oregon Express" three-line printed frank in conjunction with Wells, Fargo & Co. frank (Haller FT10 Ty. 2) on 3c Red Nesbitt entire (U10) addressed to "Walla Walla (Village) near New Fort Walla Walla W.T." in Washington Territory, bold clear strike of blue "Tracy & Cos. Express Portland" oval handstamp, lightly soiled, otherwise Very Fine, this combination frank is one of the rarest of the Tracy & Co. Oregon Express franks, only one example was available until the Dale-Lichtenstein dispersal, five recorded by Forster, but only two with frank over the 3c embossed stamp, this cover was carried by Tracy & Co. from Portland about 250 miles inland to Walla Walla in Washington Territory (circa 1859-60), ex Dale-Lichtenstein, with 2004 P.F. certificate (Image)

E. 1,000-1,500

2,100.00

706

Turner's Pony Express. Illustrated horse and rider frank (Haller FT16) with inscription "Turner's Pony Express, from Jacobsville to all parts of the Reese River Mines. Dispatches promptly attended to." and "Paid to all parts of the state" around embossed stamp on 3c Pink entire (U34) addressed in pencil to James M. Reynolds at Placerville with "Care of Mr. Browne" instructions, about -1/3 inch of left edge restored, cleaned and other minor repairs

FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS SPECTACULAR ILLUSTRATED FRANK, USED DURING THE BRIEF OPERATION OF TURNER'S PONY EXPRESS IN NEVADA IN 1863.

A detailed history of Turner's Pony Express is provided in Gamett's Nevada Express book (pp. 139-144). Months after the May 1862 discovery of silver in the Reese River mines, base towns grew at Jacob's Spring (renamed Jacobsville), Clifton and Austin. G. L. Turner advertised an express with offices in each of the three towns as early as May 1863, but it appears that within months the express was abandoned or sold to Wells, Fargo & Company. The rivalry between base towns ended when the county seat was moved from Jacobsville to Austin in September 1863, which effectively turned the other two into ghost towns.

Only three examples of Turner's frank are recorded: 1) May 1, 1863, ms. Jacobsville N.T. postmark, to James Reynolds, Placerville, ex Edwards, Gamett, 2) Sep. 26 (1863), WF & Co. Austin oval, to H. Rumsfield, Salt Lake City U.T., ex Polland, Jacobitz, and 3) Undated (no markings), to James Reynolds, Placerville, repaired, ex Clifford, Hawley, Kramer, the cover offered here. This franked entire appears to have been carried outside the mails to Placerville.

With 2001 P.S.E. certificate (Image)

E. 1,500-2,000

4,250.00

707

Vera's Express. Printed frank (Haller FV1) on 3c Red Nesbitt entire (U10) to Oroville Cal.

EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE TWO FINEST EXAMPLES OF THIS EXTREMELY RARE WESTERN EXPRESS FRANK, OF WHICH ONLY FIVE ARE RECORDED.

There is very little known about Vera's Express, other than it ran between Oroville and Marysville, connecting with Wells, Fargo & Company's routes from Marysville. Only five examples of its distinctive frank are known, of which this and the example offered in lot 708 are in the finest condition. Two of the five have additional Wells, Fargo & Co. franks. One cover has a manuscript "July 1860" date, and another has a "Wells, Fargo & Co. Marysville Apr. 23" datestamp.

Ex Dale-Lichtenstein. With 2004 P.F. certificate (Image)

E. 2,000-3,000

2,700.00

708

Vera's Express. Printed frank (Haller FV1) on 3c Red Nesbitt entire (U10), paste-up conjunctive usage with faint strikes of blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express Oroville" oval handstamps, adhesive residue and minor thinning from paste-up on back, tiny nick at bottom left

EXTREMELY FINE. ONLY FIVE EXAMPLES OF THE VERA'S EXPRESS FRANK ARE RECORDED. THE CONDITION OF THIS EXAMPLE PLACES IT AMONG THE TWO FINEST.

Vera's Express ran between Oroville and Marysville, connecting with Wells, Fargo & Company. Only five examples of its distinctive frank are known, of which this and the example offered in lot 707 are in the finest condition. Two of the five have additional Wells, Fargo & Co. franks. One cover has a manuscript "July 1860" date, and another has a "Wells, Fargo & Co. Marysville Apr. 23" datestamp. (Image)

E. 2,000-3,000

2,100.00

709

Waldron & Co.'s Blackfoot Express. Two-line printed frank with ornamental frame (Haller FW2) vertically at left in conjunction with Wells, Fargo & Co. frank on 3c Pink entire (U59) to Dalles O., blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Walla Walla Apr. 13" oval datestamp, slightly reduced at right, two pinholes in stamp

VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE WALDRON & COMPANY'S BLACKFOOT EXPRESS FRANK. CARRIED BY WALDRON & CO. FROM MONTANA TERRITORY TO WALLA WALLA IN WASHINGTON TERRITORY, AND FROM THERE BY WELLS, FARGO & COMPANY TO DALLES, OREGON.

In 1865 Dave Waldron started his Kootenai Express from Walla Walla to the Kootenai Mines. In April 1866 he and two partners, Sam Buchanan and W. Edgar, created the Waldron & Co. Blackfoot Express between Walla Walla and Helena, Montana Territory. About one year later they curtailed the route to Walla Walla and concentrated on the Montana region. This cover probably dates to April 1866 or possibly 1867, and it demonstrates the connection with Wells, Fargo & Co. at Walla Walla for destinations in Oregon.

Ex Dale-Lichtenstein. With 2004 P.F. certificate (Image)

E. 2,000-3,000

1,900.00

710

Wheeler, Rutherford & Co.'s Express. Printed frank in woodcut ribbon frame (Haller FW11) on 3c Pink entire (U58) to San Francisco, blue oval return card handstamp of "Dr. E. L. Willard, Book & Drug Store, Established 1858, LaPorte, Sierra Co. Cal.", conjunctive use with "Wells, Fargo & Co. Marysville Mar. 29" (ca. 1864-66) blue double-oval datestamp, Extremely Fine, Dr. Willard was Wheeler, Rutherford & Co.'s agent in LaPorte, illustrated in Letters of Gold, ex Clifford and Edwards (Image)

E. 1,000-1,500

950.00

711

Whiting & Co.'s Feather River Express. Printed frank (Haller FW12, Ty. 2) on 10c Green Nesbitt entire (U15) to Lee Mass., carried by Whiting & Co. to the post office, "Meadow Valley Cala. Jan. 23" circular datestamp (ca. 1858-60), fresh and Very Fine, franks from this long-running express (1857-68) are abundant, but early usages to the mails for the East Coast are very scarce and few are of this choice quality (Image)

E. 750-1,000

750.00

712

Whiting & Co.'s Feather River Express. Printed frank (Haller FW12, Ty. 2) on 10c Green Nesbitt entire (U16) to East Longmeadow Mass., carried by Whiting & Co. to the post office, "Marysville Cal. Paid by Stamps Jul. 4" blue circular datestamp (ca. 1858-59) and matching fancy crossroads cancel, minor edge wrinkles and tiny tear at top, otherwise Very Fine, a most attractive express usage to the mails (Image)

E. 750-1,000

900.00