Alta Express Company was formed after the failure of Pacific Express in Apr 1857 by Alex Badlam, Jr., C. L. Farrington, and James A. Frost. The express operated throughout the northern and central part of the state of California and into Nevada. Alta Express Company connected with Freeman Express for British Columbia and with Berford & Co. for the Atlantic States.
 

Alta Express Co. Paid first type printed frank with mountains in background behind bridge on 3c red Nesbitt entire to San Francisco, red "Alta Express Company Oroville" handstamp, minor edge discoloration at top left, ex Parker and Haas

(stock #103, $350)

Alta Express Co. Paid first type printed frank with mountains in background behind bridge, in blue, on 3c red Nesbitt entire to Georgetown, California, one recorded example of used frank in blue ex Dale - Lichtenstein

(stock #104, $1,250)

John Bamber first advertised July 12, 1858 as the only authorized Contra Costa express agent for daily and weekly newspapers having purchased J.W. Hoag & Co's Contra Costa Express in which he had previously held a partial financial interest. From September 20, 1858 he ran an ad looking for a purchaser of his newspaper and express business with inquires to be directed to J. Bamber's office in San Francisco, W.K. Bacon's office in Oakland or to the "subscriber" J.W. Hoag.  On September 9, 1870 Bamber incorporated as "Bamber Express Co." with four other trustees. On January 1, 1874 a change in ownership was announced, including A.D. Whitney, and the firm no longer advertised. On July 6, 1874 it was announced that Whitney & Co. Express had purchased the company.
 

(stock #112, $100)

The first advertisement with the new Everts, Wilson & Co. Express firm name appeared on October 8, 1856. From their principal offices at Marysville, Rabbit Creek, St. Louis and Nelson Creek and Gibsonville they served regions north of the North Fork of the Yuba River and south of the North Fork of the Feather River. The express connected at Marysville with Pacific Express until Pacific Express failed in April 1857. The express connected with connected at Marysville with Wells Fargo thereafter. On September 1,1862 the express business were sold to Holland, Morley & Company.
 

Everts, Wilson & Co.'s Daily Express Paid frank in double lined rectangle on 3c red Nesbitt entire used to San Francisco, docketed at left as containing a letter dated October 11, 1858

(stock #139, $250)

A June 15, 1855 newspaper notice announced that John M. Freeman, J. K. Stimson, J. Hoey and Josiah Hedden had purchased all Adams & Co interests in the California express business under the name Freeman & Co. This new firm opened offices in British Columbia in July 1858. The firm was sold to Wells, Fargo in April 1860.
 

Freeman & Co's California, Atlantic States and European Express, Paid rectangular box printed frank on 3c red Nesbitt entire used to Victoria, Vancouver Island, red oval "Freeman & Co Express" handstamp and docketed in pencil "3 Letters Recd per (steamer) Panama, Aug 9/58," minor edge faults, fewer than ten reported examples of this frank which seems to have been used primarily, if not solely, on the Victoria - San Francisco route, an early use to Victoria following the Fraser River gold discoveries

(stock #153, $1250)

Little is known of the express company other than that it operated in San Francisco East Bay area in 1864. It apparently connected with Pacific Union Express.
 

Haywood Express Co. black straight line overprint on red "Pacific Union Express Company" franked 3c 1864 issue entire to San Francisco, cover minor faults at right, the only reported example of this frank, ex Dale - Lichtenstein

(stock #177, $1500)

Holland & Wheeler's Express (late 1862 - 1863)

In late 1862 C. H. Morley sold his interest in Holland, Morley & Co. Express to Sam Wheeler. The new company served the mining camps along Gibsonville Ridge and the Feather River from a base in La Porte. They connected with Wells, Fargo at Marysville. Wheeler withdrew from the firm in mid 1863 and went into partnership with R. H. Rutherford to form Wheeler, Rutherford & Co.
 

Holland & Wheeler's Daily Express, Paid,  rectangular frank on 3c pink 1861 issue entire, franking portion of paste-up only, manuscript date of "July 28, 1863, faint strike of "Holland, Morley & Co's Express La Porte Cal" oval handstamp used after the dissolution of the original Holland Morley & Company, two reported uses of this version of their frank, ex Dale - Lichtenstein

(stock #180, $1000)

In 1862 Emerson B. Hopkinson purchased a route that ran from Nevada City into the Dutch Flat area with service to Little York, Red Dog, You Bet, and Walloupa. In late 1864, he sold the route to J. A. Stone who sold the route back to Hopkinson in February 1865. All of the reported covers are dated in the period after February 1865 and the express operated until 1869. Hopkinson connected with Wells Fargo at Nevada City and Dutch Flat.
 

Hopkinson's Express, Paid red, ornately frame rectangular frank on 3c pink 1863 issue entire used to Nevada City, August 9, 1865 docket at left, two reported examples in red, ex Dale - Lichtenstein

(stock #181, $1200)

(stock #182, $1100)

Hopkinson's Express, Paid ornately frame rectangular frank, larger style than previous, in blue, on 3c pink 1863 issue entire used to Nevada City, September 24, 1866 docket at left, slightly reduced at right, the only reported example of this frank in blue, ex Dale - Lichtenstein

(stock #183, $1500)

Hopkinson's Express, Paid black, shaded rectangular frank on 3c pink 1863 issue entire used to Nevada City, April 24, 1867 docket at left includes "S.P. Diggings" which likely indicates origin of this correspondence, ex Dale - Lichtenstein

(stock #184, $1200)

Horn's Yreka, Fort Jones And Scott River Express (1874)

David Horn of Yreka, California began operating his express in 1874 connecting with Wells, Fargo at Yreka. It served the mining camps along the Scott River until early 1877 when Horn sold out to Tickner.
 

Horn's Yreka, Fort Jones And Scott River Express, Paid purple handstamped frank over-struck at left of Wells, Fargo frank on 3c green 1870 issue entire to San Francisco, conjunctive use with Wells, Fargo with their blue Yreka "Mar 2" datestamp, cover minor reduction at left,

(stock #186, $500)

Huntley, previously a manager of the Northwestern Stage Company, established his express to serve Idaho Territory but expanded in 1867 to include service between Fort Benton and Helena, Montana Territory.
 

C.C. Huntley Stage & Express Line, Paid, purple printed fancy express company frank on 3c pink 1863 issue entire, manuscript cancel on indicia, a complete paste-up used to Helena, Montana Territory, indicia with manuscript cancel, roughly opened at right, three reported used examples of this frank

(stock #190, $1700)

Horatio Jones and Addison Edgar operated express their between Canyon City and the John Day Mines in central Oregon to The Dalles on the Columbia River where they connected with Wells, Fargo. In 1864 Jones became an agent for Wells, Fargo and Edgar joined that firm in 1865.
 

Jones & Edgars's Canyon City Express, Paid, three line frank at lower left of 3c pink 1861 issue entire to Dalles (Oregon), three reported examples of this frank used, ex Dale - Lichtenstein

(stock #192, $2000)

Jones & Edgars's Canyon City Express, Paid, unframed frank at top of of 3c pink 1861 issue entire to San Francisco, conjunctive use with Wells, Fargo with their Dalles (Oregon) December 5 datestamp, cover somewhat soiled, three reported examples of this frank used,  ex Dale - Lichtenstein

(stock #193, $1500)

Little is known of this express which operated from the Gibsonville Ridge area to La Porte and San Francisco in 1865.
 

La Porte Express Co., Paid printed frank on 3c pink 1863 issue entire to San Francisco with blue LaPorte Express Co, Laporte "Apr 25" datestamp, fewer than ten reported examples, ex Barkhausen

(stock #207, $1000)

This express operated briefly in 1874 between Oroville and Quincy, California. It also served Greenville, Crescent City and Taylorsville. It connected with Wells, Fargo at Oroville.
 

Oroville & Quincy Express Co., and Wells, Fargo & Co's Routes, Paid red and black, stagecoach illustrated  frank on 3c green 1870 issue entire to Meridian, Connecticut, entered the mails with manuscript "Cana Sep 21" (Butte County) postmark, eight reported examples of this attractive frank, ex Lichtenstein, Clifford, Beals and Edwards

(stock #222, $1750)

Pacific Union Express (1868 - 1864)

On December 18, 1867 Pacific Union Express Company was incorporated in California with stockholders A. K. Grim and Lawrence W. Coe appointed as managers for the express on the West Coast with A. K. Tilton in New York. Grim was named President. When service commenced on June 1, 1868, it was announced to include express matter and letters by every steamer via Panama and similar service to Hawaii, China and Japan. The company was set up "on the Wells, Fargo plan" to compete with them. Service to Nevada and Arizona was begun in 1869. On December 1, 1869 the company discontinued operations and its business transferred to Wells, Fargo.
 

Pacific Union Express, Paid, red scroll franks on 3c pink 1864 issue entires, two covers, horizontal frank on cover to Wisconsin that entered the mails at San Francisco and vertical frank on cover to San Francisco that entered the mail at Colchester, Connecticut, minor edge fault on first cover

(stock #324 and 325, $200)

Penman's Express (ca 1871 - 1882)

Penman's Express ran between Truckee and Quincy via Jamison, Mohawk, Eureka Mills and the Gibsonville Mines from 1871 to 1882. It was a small feeder express to Wells, Fargo.
 

R. Penman's Express Truckee, Jamison, Mohawk & Eureka Mills albino embossed frank on backflap of 3c green 1870 issue entire with Wells, Fargo & Co frank, entered mails to Flint, Michigan with faint R.P.O. datestamp, ink splatter and edge faults, the only reported example of this style of Penman's frank

(stock #234, $1000)

Summary of the Operational Phases:

I. Operated by the Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company as a private express (Eastbound April 3, 1860 to April 14, 1861; Westbound through March 31, 1861)

II. Operated as a joint private operation of the Overland Mail Company and the Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company with Wells Fargo acting as agent (Eastbound April 15 through June 30, 1861; Westbound April 15 through June 30, 1861)

III. A government mandated premium postal service operated by the Overland Mail Company in conjunction with their daily overland mail. Wells Fargo proved private service between San Francisco and Placerville (Eastbound July 1 through October 26, 1861; Westbound through October 31, 1861)
 

(Transcontinental Pony Express), Wells, Fargo & Co Pony Express $1.00 red adhesive, margins two sides, tied to 10c green Nesbitt entire from Weatherbee correspondence to Westfield, Massachusetts, by blue oval Pony Express San Francisco Jul 6 (1861) running pony datestamp, two red Wells, Fargo franks over green Freeman & Co's frank, entered the mails with St, Joseph, Missouri Jul 18 (1861) postmark, illustrated in The Pony Express, A Postal History by Frajola, Kramer and Walske, census #E111, five reported examples of overprinted Freeman franks used with pony express, cover top right corner repaired, ex Dale - Lichtenstein and Walske

(stock #231, P.O.R.)

(Transcontinental Pony Express), Wells, Fargo & Co Pony Express 1/2 ounce Paid ($1) from St. Joseph to Placerville Per Pony Express, red frank vertically at left of 10c green 1861 issue entire used to San Francisco, New York October 12 (1861) postmark and St. Joseph Pony Express double oval dated for October 17, 1861 departure, manuscript "received October 29, 1861" docket at top, this frank is only found on westbound mail carried in the fourth period, illustrated in The Pony Express, A Postal History by Frajola, Kramer and Walske, census #W65, carried on the westbound trip that departed St. Joseph on October 17 and the last through westbound pony trip departed just one week later, cover has been lightly cleaned

(stock #230, P.O.R.)

Rockfellow & Co's Express (May 1863 - Oct 1863)

This express ran from Walla Walla to John Day Country in Oregon and to Boise Basin in Idaho following Wells, Fargo's withdrawal from the route on May 17, 1863. Later when Indian troubles lessened and production of bullion greatly increased, Wells, Fargo purchased the Rockfellow Express on Oct 17, 1863.
 

Rockfellow & Co's Express Paid 75c printed frank with elaborate scrolls and ovals on 3c pink 1861 issue entire used to Dalles, Oregon, a complete paste up, a conjunctive use with  blue Wells, Fargo, Walla Walla Sep 7 oval datestamp, identical datestamp on unfranked reverse, pencil enclosure “Aug 23rd, Last eve a man by the name of Tony was accidentally killed by a pistol. He was from the Dalles, A. Butcher,” five reported examples of this frank, ex Dale - Lichtenstein

(stock #241, $1750)

Thomes & Skaden's Express (1870 - 1874)

Walter M. Thomes and Hiram N. Skadden formed their express in 1870. The firm operated between Reno and Susanville, Nevada until 1874.
 

Thomes & Skaden's Express, Susanville & Reno, Connecting with Wells, Fargo & Co, Paid, embossed and printed frank on 3c green 1870 issue entire to San Francisco, conjunctive use with blue Wells, Fargo Reno oval datestamp, cover slightly reduced at right, ex Dale - Lichtenstein

(stock #256, $700)

Thomes & Skaden's Express, Susanville & Reno, Connecting with Wells, Fargo & Co, scroll frank with small "Paid" above on 3c green 1870 issue entire to Sacramento, conjunctive use with blue Wells, Fargo Reno oval datestamp, edges soiled

(stock #254, $500)

Thomes & Skaden's Express, Susanville & Reno, Connecting with Wells, Fargo & Co, scroll frank with large "Paid" above on 3c green 1870 issue entire to San Jose, conjunctive use with blue Wells, Fargo Reno oval datestamp, opened roughly at right

(stock #255, $700)

Thompson & Co's Express (1857)

This express was established by James Harvey Thompson in July to operate between Petaluma and Healdsburg via Santa Rosa, Bodega and Geysers Springs. It connected with Wells, Fargo at Petaluma.
 

Paid Over Thompson & Co.’s & Wells, Fargo & Co.’s California Routes, printed frank on 3c red Nesbitt entire to San Francisco, blue Thompson & Co.’s Express Healdsburg oval handstamp, conjunctive use with blue Wells, Fargo Express Petaluma handstamp, flap missing, the finest of three reported examples, ex Risvold

(stock #257, $4500)

Tracy & Co's Express (1859 - Nov 1863)

Edward W. Tracy began serving as a Wells Fargo’s General Agent for the Washington and Oregon Territories in July 1859. He also formed a partnership with E. Norton and E. L. James to operate an express service to the interior. The partnership with Norton and James was dissolved in March 1862. Tracy sold out to Wells, Fargo in November 1863.
 

Tracy & Co.'s Express, Paid printed frank with Old English type and ornate frame on 3c red Nesbitt entire to Salem Oregon, blue company handstamp of the Portland office, slightly reduced at sides, sealed tear at top, ex Dale - Lichtenstein

(stock #261, $700)

Tracy & Co's Oregon Express, Paid, printed four line frank on previously franked Wells,  Fargo 3c red Nesbitt entire to "Fort Walla, Near Walla Walla City," Washington Territory, blue Tracy & Co. Express Portland oval handstamp, ex Dale - Lichtenstein

(stock #263, $3000)

Tracy & Co. Oregon Express, Paid printed frank in waving banner design on 3c red Nesbitt entire to Walla Walla, Washington Territory, blue "Tracy & Cos. Express Portland"  handstamp, cover wrinkles, ex Dale - Lichtenstein

(stock #264, $1000)

Tracy & Co. Oregon Express, Paid banner frank and two line Salmon River Express Paid One Dollar  surcharge on 3c pink 1861 issue entire, paste-back only, conjunctive use with blue Wells Fargo Walla Walla (Washington Territory) Sep 8 oval datestamp, matching "Collect" in oval handstamps penciled through, slightly soiled, two reported examples of this frank used, ex Dale - Lichtenstein

(stock #266, $2500)

J. C. Truman's Express (Jan 1864 - Feb 1864)
Truman & Chapman's Express (Feb 1864 - 1865)
Truman & Co's Express (1865 - 1868)

James C. Truman began his J.C. Truman Express in January 1864 soon after arriving in San Francisco. He took Chapman as a partner on February 16, 1864 and after Chapman withdrew in 1865, he formed Truman & Co's Express. It operated from San Francisco to San Jose by rail and to Watsonville and Santa Cruz until 1868.
 

Truman & Co's Express, rectangular box frank with new address below, "Merchants Exchange Building, Battery Street, Opposite the Post Office," on 3c pink 1864 issue entire to Santa Cruz, manuscript September 1867 express cancel with date, cover edge repair at foot

(stock #269, $175)

Wells, Fargo & Co.  (Jul 1852 - Apr 1895)

The famous bank and nationwide express was formed by Henry Wells and William Fargo on March 18, 1852 when other directors of American Express did not wish to open offices in California. Agents of the new firm arrived in California in July 1852 and after a long series of acquisitions, including Gregory's Express, Todd's Express, and Hunter's Express, they had 24 branch offices in operation by January 1855. With the collapse of Adams & Company in February 1855, and after surviving the financial panic of that year, Wells Fargo emerged as the dominant banking force and leader in the express business. The abandoned their domestic letter carrying activities as announced in April 20, 1895 newspaper article here.
 

See also cover here in regular stock.
 

Wells, Fargo & Co. frank on 3c red Nesbitt entire used to Sacramento, blue Wells, Fargo Express San Francisco double circle datestamp

(stock #316, $100)

Wells, Fargo & Co. frank on 3c red Nesbitt entire used to state Senator Berry at Sacramento, blue Wells, Fargo Express Yreka oval handstamp, manuscript "March 8" date at top, John Berry was elected to the senate in September 1857 to serve from Siskiyou County, perhaps 10 known of this frank in blue on 3c Nesbitt, ex Dale - Lichtenstein

(stock #279, $1750)

Wells, Fargo & Co. frank overprinting red Freeman & Co. Express frank on 3c red Nesbitt entire used to Folsom, additional frank vertically at left, blue Wells, Fargo San Francisco Jun 5 (1861) double circle datestamp, these overprints were distributed following the purchase of Freeman & Co's Express in 1860, minor cover edge tear at top

(stock #318, $400)

Wells, Fargo & Co. red frank on 10c green star die entire used to Philadelphia, endorsed "Per St. Louis - Via Panama" at lower left, blue Wells, Fargo San Francisco double circle "Apr 11" datestamp, after carriage via Panama, Wells, Fargo delivered to Blood's Local Post for delivery and with their "May 1" double circle datestamp and "2 cts" due, minor soiling, ex Dale - Lichtenstein

(stock #283, $1250)

Wells, Fargo & Co. vertical frank on 3c pink 1864 issue entire with all-over design advertising of J.C. Meusdorfer, Dealer in Hats & Caps, Sacramento in pale brown, blue Wells, Fargo double circle datestamp, 1868 docketing at left

(stock #290, $200)

Wells, Fargo & Co. (Surcharged Franks)

Several Wells, Fargo franked entires bear surcharges. These are generally associated with additional fees for premium service, by pony express for example, or for carriage on difficult or dangerous routes. On some few, the actual service has not been determined.
 

Wells, Fargo & Co., Paid 50 Cts. surcharged frank on 3c red Nesbitt entire used to San Francisco, blue Wells, Fargo Stockton "Aug 3" oval datestamp, service unidentified, minor creases, the only reported used example of this surcharge and the only surcharge type reported used on any Nesbitt entire, ex Dale - Lichtenstein

(stock #280, $1750)

Wells, Fargo & Co., Paid 25 Cents. surcharged frank on 3c pink 1861 issue entire addressed to Dalles, Oregon, blue Wells, Fargo Walla Walla "Mar 6" oval datestamp, premium service from Oregon and Idaho Territory mines, opened irregularly at right, four reported examples, ex Dale - Lichtenstein

(stock #286, $1750)

Wells, Fargo & Co., Salmon River & Nez Perces, Express, Paid 50 Cents. surcharged frank on 3c pink 1861 issue entire addressed to Yreka, California, blue Wells, Bannock City "Dec 3" oval datestamp, premium service to the Idaho and Montana mining areas, minor creases, illustrated in Gold Fever, fewer than seven reported examples, ex Lichtenstein, Barkhausen and Kutz

(stock #287, $2500)

Whiting & Co's Feather River Express  (1857 - 1868)

Fenton B. Whiting, and partners Henry C. Everts, G. W. Morley, and E. E. Meek, formed Whiting & Co's Feather River Express 1857. The express became the leading operator in northern Plumas County originally operating from its base in Quincy. Whiting’s operation was sold to Garland & Company in 1868.

Whiting & Co.'s Feather River Express, Paid,  boxed frank on 10c green Nesbitt entire addressed to East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, entered the mails with Bidwells Bar, California "Sep 18" postmark, four reported examples of this frank on 10c Nesbitt entires, ex Dale - Lichtenstein

(stock #297, $900)

Overland Mail Directives & Propaganda Covers
 

Overland Mail Via Los Angeles, three line imprinted directive on 3c red Nesbitt entire used to Downieville, California, San Francisco Jul 30, 1859 postmark, evidence of a label having been glued over the directive which would not have been applicable to a cover send from San Francisco to Downieville

(stock #309, $400)