P CHAPTER I WELLS, FARGO & CO. HAND STAMPS RIOR to the adoption of the printed franks Wells, Fargo & Co. used various handstamps to indicate the same purpose for which later the frank was used. Consequently the handstamps appear first on plain letter sheets and envelopes and then they are found on the first issues of the United States embossed envelopes. J. W. Scott in the American Philatelist of November, 1889, was the first who published four of the principal types of the handstamps of Wells, Fargo & Co. They are all rare and are generally known as: PRELIMINARY TYPES HAND STAMP-TYPE I A shield, 32x29mm with a three line inscription: "Wells Fargo & Co.-ExpressSan Francisco." Outside of the shield a small oval, single, or double lined, containing the word "PAID." Color: Black. They are found as single, or double lined oval, with name of town, or without the latter, and with EXPRESS in old German script, or ordinary type. Of the double lined ovals Wells Fargo & Co. handstamp with "YANKEE JIMS" is rare. The earliest date reported is February, 1853. Color black. WELLS FARGO & COS YANKEE JIM'S HAND STAMP-TYPE II A single lined oval, 23x40mm with two lines of inscription: "Wells, Fargo & Co." below in large type "EXPRESS." No addiitonal oval, no town name. Color, Blue. WELLS, FARGO & Co EXPRESS On an ordinary buff envelope sent to San Francisco. A double lined oval, 20x38mm. with a three line inscription: "WELLS FARGO & CO.'S" In center name of town-and "EXPRESS." As in the first type there is an additional oval outside with the word "PAID", or "COLLECT", or "FREE." This appears on all letters local to California. Color Blue, also Red. WELLS FARGO & Cos MARYSVILLE EXPRESS Blue or Red on plain envelope. FREE HAND STAMP- -TYPE IV A single lined oval, 22x39mm. with a three line inscription: "WELLS, FARGO & CO."-"EXPRESS" in old German script, and below the name of the town. Type IV exists without and with an additional oval, either single, or double lined, inscribed "PAID" etc. Color blue. This type was used later as a cancellation stamp. Blue on plain, buff envelope without additional oval. Town name "SAN FRANCISCO." The envelope contains a letter sheet dated "Marysville, Nov. 13, 1854" and is signed "A. Fargo." This type is also used with additional oval, containing "FREE", "PAID" or "COLLECT." Same type on U. S. embossed envelope and with single lined oval, 14x28mm., containing "PAID." Color red. Note.-Mekeels "Complete Catalogue" 1895 lists this type in blue on 3 5a-E2 21 h Letters "W. F. & Co." These letters were surcharged in sheets and were used before stamped envelopes had been issued. Color Blue. Later it is found on 3c red U. S. adhesive. A large, double lined oval, 38x53 mm., containing another double lined oval 21x35 mm. Inscription in three lines: "WELLS FARGO & CO." at top in outer oval: "PAID" in inner oval; "ASSEMBLY" below in outer oval. Star ornaments to right and left of "PAID." Color red. This is a very rare type. An octagon, 23x32mm. with three lines of inscription: "WELLS, FARGO & CO." "EXPRESS" and "SAN FRANCISCO." Color Blue or Red. The earliest date, so far reported, is April, 1854. Frank and PAID in blue on plain blue letter sheet with a pair of 3c 1851. Letter is dated "SAN FRANCISCO, Feb'y 8, 1855." Also Frank in red color on plain envelope, dated April, 1854. STEAMBOAT FRANK HAND STAMP-TYPE VIII Single lined rectangular frame (24x36mm.) with rounded corners. Inscription in three lines: "WELLS FARGO & CO.: EXPRESS: STEAMBOAT." Color blue. The word "FRANCO" surrounded by a wreath of leaves. Color Black or Blue. Black on plain blue letter sheet with W. F. & Co.'s Cancellation in black. This is a very rare FRANK and is found as early as 1856. Color Red. |