Wells Fargo & Co. Virginia City Pony Express, 10c Brown (143L7). Large margins to full at top, tied by blue “Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia Cty. N.T. Oct. 22” (1862) oval datestamp on 3c Pink on Buff entire (U35) with Wells Fargo & Co. printed frank to San Francisco, slightly reduced at left where opened, stamp lifted and reaffixed

VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND SCARCE COVER WITH THE VIRGINIA CITY PONY EXPRESS 10-CENT BROWN.

The 10c Brown Virginia City Pony Express issue is scarce on cover, with an approximate ratio versus 25c Blue covers of 1:3 (according to the Gamett census and confirmed by our auction history).

With 2013 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $5,500.00

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Wells Fargo & Co., Virginia City Pony Express, 10c Brown (143L7). Three large margins, just into the frame at right, tied by blue “Wells, Fargo & Co. Carson City Jan. 9” oval datestamp with additional strike over indicia of 3c Pink on Buff entire (U35) with Wells Fargo & Co. printed frank, addressed to Virginia City, original letter enclosure references the sender’s “watch dog” snarling when the express man arrives, stamp with light crease at top right, the envelope with large sealed tears from rough opening affecting the backflap (small portion missing) and the top of the printed frank

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE USE OF THE VIRGINIA CITY PONY EXPRESS 10-CENT BROWN.

The 10c Brown Virginia City Pony Express issue is scarce on cover, with an approximate ratio versus 25c Blue covers of 1:3 (according to the Gamett census and confirmed by our auction history).

With 2013 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $5,500.00

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Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, 10c Brown (143L7). Tight but clear margins, tied by faint strike of blue Wells, Fargo & Co. oval handstamp, lightly-struck "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express Aurora" blue oval handstamp on 3c Pink on Buff entire (U35) with Wells, Fargo & Co. printed frank (showing nail heads), to San Francisco, entire is reduced at right into the indicia and with small tear at top into frank, still Fine and desirable use originating in Aurora, Nevada Territory, with 2016 P.F. certificate

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Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, 10c Brown (143L7). Two large margins, touched at top and barely in at bottom, tied by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express Genoa" oval handstamp over manuscript "Pony", lightly-struck "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express Aurora" blue oval handstamp on 3c Pink on Buff entire (U35) with Wells, Fargo & Co. printed frank to San Francisco, from the Crittenden correspondence, with letter datelined "Aurora, Sept. 1, 1862", sealed tear thru frank

VERY FINE. A SCARCE USE OF THE VIRGINIA CITY PONY EXPRESS 10-CENT BROWN FROM NEVADA, BEARING THE HANDSTAMPED MARKINGS OF WELLS FARGO'S AURORA AND GENOA OFFICES.

This cover originated in Aurora, Nevada Territory, and was marked to go by "Pony" to California. The 10c Brown was affixed and cancelled at Genoa (northwest of Aurora). The letter includes two postscripts regarding the Pony Express stamps: "P.S. I send you a couple of Pony Express stamps. If you put one on a letter it will arrive here a day sooner." and "P.S. 2d. I find tonight that the supply of pony express stamps is out. Howard can get you some at Wells Fargo & Co's. They only cost 10 Cts. Put one on each express envelope in which you send me a letter. And tell Howard to take Dr. Brown an express envelope with pony stamp on it."

The cover and letter were sent to Clara C. Crittenden by her husband, Alexander Parker Crittenden, a prominent West Coast attorney, while he was residing in Nevada. The move to Nevada became necessary after California passed a law prohibiting the practice of law by anyone who would not take the loyalty oath. “Parker” Crittenden was a pro-Southerner who chose to relocate to Virginia City, rather than swear allegiance to the Federal government. His wife stayed in San Francisco for some time, and the two corresponded frequently while he was away. A few years later he was shot dead by his mistress, Laura Fair, in front of his wife and son.

With 2009 P.F. certificate

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Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia City Pony Express, 10c Brown (143L7). Large margins to just touching frameline at bottom left, stamp with trivial corner crease, tied by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co., Virginia City N.T., Sep. 23" oval datestamp with an additional strike at right on 3c Pink on Buff entire (U35) with printed frank to San Francisco, 1862 docketing at left, reduced at left, cover with opening tear at top right

VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND SCARCE COVER WTIH THE VIRGINIA CITY PONY EXPRESS 10-CENT BROWN.

The Virginia City Pony Express was established by Wells, Fargo and Co. in August 1862. This particular cover was taken by a rider to Placerville where it was taken by rail to Sacramento. From there, it was taken by steam boat to San Francisco. This reduced transit times from 44 hours to the advertised 24 hours.

Ex Moody and Risvold.

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Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia City Pony Express, 10c Brown (143L7). Large margins to just touching frameline at bottom left, stamp with trivial corner crease, tied by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co., Virginia City N.T., Sep. 23" oval datestamp with an additional strike at right on 3c Pink on Buff entire (U35) with printed frank to San Francisco, 1862 docketing at left, reduced at left, cover with opening tear at top right

VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND SCARCE COVER WTIH THE VIRGINIA CITY PONY EXPRESS 10-CENT BROWN.

The Virginia City Pony Express was established by Wells, Fargo and Co. in August 1862. This particular cover was taken by a rider to Placerville where it was taken by rail to Sacramento. From there, it was taken by steam boat to San Francisco. This reduced transit times from 44 hours to the advertised 24 hours.

Ex Moody and Risvold.

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Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia City Pony Express, 10c Brown (143L7). Huge bottom right corner margins, others large, tied by blue “Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia Cty. N.T. Sep. 28” (1862) oval datestamp, repeated on 3c Pink on Buff entire (U35) with Wells Fargo & Co. printed frank to J. D. Thornton at San Francisco, 1862 docketing, sealed tear at top just affects frank

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A SUPERB CORNER-MARGIN COPY OF THE VIRGINIA CITY PONY EXPRESS 10-CENT BROWN ON COVER.

Ex D.K. Collection and Twigg-Smith. With 1992 P.F. certificate.

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Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia City Pony Express, 10c Brown (143L7). Large even margins, affixed over directive "Pony" and tied by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co., Express Genoa" oval handstamp on 3c Pink on White entire (U34) with Wells, Fargo & Co. printed frank to Clara C. Crittenden in San Francisco, embossed stamp cancelled by "Wells, Fargo & Co., Express Aurora" oval handstamp, with original letter datelined Aurora Sep. 26, 1862, long repaired tear thru embossed stamp, gum stains around stamp removed

VERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE WELLS, FARGO & COMPANY 10-CENT BROWN PONY EXPRESS STAMP ON A COVER FROM THE CELEBRATED CRITTENDEN CORRESPONDENCE, BEARING THE HANDSTAMPED MARKINGS OF WELLS FARGO'S AURORA AND GENOA OFFICES.

This cover originated in Aurora, Nevada Territory, and was marked to go by "Pony" to California. The 10c Brown was affixed and cancelled at Genoa (northwest of Aurora).

The cover and letter were sent to Clara C. Crittenden by her husband, Alexander Parker Crittenden, a prominent West Coast attorney, while he was residing in Nevada. The move to Nevada became necessary after California passed a law prohibiting the practice of law by anyone who would not take the loyalty oath. “Parker” Crittenden was a pro-Southerner who chose to relocate to Virginia City, rather than swear allegiance to the Federal government. His wife stayed in San Francisco for some time, and the two corresponded frequently while he was away. A few years later he was shot dead by his mistress, Laura Fair, in front of his wife and son. In this letter, Parker mentions that "Laura gave a grand dinner yesterday... I suppose she will tell you all about it..." -- apparently referring to his mistress and future assassin.

Ex Kramer and Vogel. With 1981 P.F. certificate

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Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia City Pony Express, 10c Brown (143L7). Huge bottom right corner margins, others large, tied by blue “Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia Cty. N.T. Sep. 28” (1862) oval datestamp, repeated on 3c Pink on Buff entire (U35) with Wells Fargo & Co. printed frank to J. D. Thornton at San Francisco, 1862 docketing, sealed tear at top just affects frank

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A SUPERB CORNER-MARGIN COPY OF THE VIRGINIA CITY PONY EXPRESS 10-CENT BROWN ON COVER.

Ex D.K. Collection and Twigg-Smith. With 1992 P.F. certificate.

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Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia City Pony Express, 10c Brown (143L7). Large margins to full at top, tied by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia Cty. N.T. Oct. 22" (1862) oval datestamp on 3c Pink on Buff entire (U35) with Wells, Fargo & Co. printed frank to San Francisco, slightly reduced at left where opened, stamp lifted and reaffixed

VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND SCARCE COVER WTIH THE VIRGINIA CITY PONY EXPRESS 10-CENT BROWN.

Scott Retail of $4,000.00 makes no sense, considering that the ratio of 10c Brown to 25c Blue covers is 1:3 (according to Gamett census). Our auction history backs up this statement as the last three 10c Brown covers we have offered have all realized more than $10,000

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