Wells Fargo & Co. Express Messenger Cap Badge, c1913. These embossed badges originally had weak fasteners on the back side. With rough handling, they quickly broke off and were replaced with ordinary paper fasteners, as shown here. This badge is pictured on page 24 in “Company Property . . .” This messenger would have been issued Messenger’s Seal # 1345 at the same time he was issued this badge. $750.
Wells Fargo & Co Ex Kerosene Lantern, c1889. The crown is embossed “Star Head Light Co., Rochester, N.Y.” The lantern’s lid and clear glass globe are both cast “W.F. & CO. EX.” The globe has a piece missing as shown, but does not impact the company marking. The kerosene parts are all complete and original, except for the near-new wick. This lantern is pictured in “Company Property . . .” on page 83. Of the many lanterns marked for the company, the Star Head Light lantern is the rarest. $3,000.
Box Hook and Sleeves. The wood-and-iron hook was used to move crates and boxes in the express office. It was also an essential item in the messenger’s kit box, along with a pair of oak rollers. The sleeves kept the lower portion of the agent’s white shirt free from scuff and grease marks, something that his wife certainly appreciated.
Sleeves SOLD -- Box Hook available at $30
1914 Double-Face Wells Fargo & Co. Money Orders Enamel Sign. Listed as #12 in the company's 1914 Sign List, this 9” x 18” blue-and-white sign was used in all “Branch Agencies.” One side has been badly damaged, probably by a fire at one time. The advent of the company’s money order in 1885 signaled the drastic reduction of stage coach robberies. $800.
“WELLS FARGO -- Advancing the American Frontier,” by Edward Hungerford, Random House, First Printing, 1949. Hungerford was the editor of the company magazing, The Wells Fargo Messenger, between 1912 and 1918, so his history is probably as accurate as Beebe’s or Loomis’s. In extra-fine condition, 258 pages, with dust jacket. $35.
SOLD
“The Expressmen” by Time-Life Books, 1974, is a 230-page history of the Express Business, mostly Wells Fargo & Co. The book was part of a series on The Old West. Many color photos, but the gold ingot on page 206 is a fake, as is the so-called Pony Express “saddle kit.” The publisher glued the pages to the spine, in lieu of stitching them. Therefore, some of the pages are loose, but could be re-attached with some binding glue. An excellent reference book, otherwise. On pages 204-205 (above), the stage coach is shown in front of the Virginia City, Nevada office. $20.
Inside
SOLD
“U. S. WEST – THE SAGA OF WELLS FARGO” is the classic history of the company by Lucius Beebe and Charles Clegg. Any serious Wells Fargo aficionado needs to read and refer to this book. Published by Bonanza Books in 1949, it is NOT a first edition. Extra-fine condition, with dust jacket, 320 pages. $40.
1896 WF & Co’s Express Annual Frank and Envelope. Early company franks were distributed in envelopes. Since the envelopes were usually discarded, very few remain today. Valentine’s signature is an early facimile. $150.
Wells Fargo & Co. Express Standing Reward Poster, 1912. Standing rewards of $300 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of highwaymen were offered as early as 1877. Three hundred dollars in 1877 were worth about $16,000 in today’s dollars. Standing rewards drastically reduced the need to print reward posters for individual highwaymen. The poster is in its original frame (but over-painted in gold) and original wood backing. Install hanging eyelets and wire and hang on the wall in your den. Note the stain at the lower corner. This is the poster that is pictured in “Company Property . . .” on page 107. $ 900.
Wells Fargo & Co. Express Standing Reward Poster, 1912. Standing rewards of $300 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of highwaymen were offered as early as 1877. Three hundred dollars in 1877 were worth about $16,000 in today’s dollars. Standing rewards drastically reduced the need to print reward posters for individual highwaymen. The poster is in its original black frame, wood backing, and hanging wire. $800.
Small Display Case, c1930. One glass shelf and two mirrored non-locking access doors in the rear. The top glass has been replaced. Minor wear to wood base. Perfect for displaying small items at home or at a show. Measures 10” tall, 11” wide, and 35” long. $300. Arrange for pick up or delivery.
Wells Fargo & Co. Express Five Years Service Button. Service buttons were introduced in 1915 as a way of recognizing years of “Faithful Service” to the company. They were fabricated by C. A. Winship at the Masonic Temple in Chicago and are sometimes hallmarked accordingly. This one is NOT hallmarked. The button is slightly smaller than a dime. A jeweler can attach a gold bezel and chain to convert this service button into an attractive gift for a spouse or sweetheart. $125. ON HOLD
Wells Fargo & Co. Express Ten Years Service Button. Service buttons were introduced in 1915 as a way of recognizing years of “Faithful Service” to the company. They were fabricated by C. A. Winship at the Masonic Temple in Chicago and are sometimes hallmarked accordingly. This button IS hallmarked. They are slightly smaller than a dime. A gold bezel and chain converts a service button into an attractive gift for a spouse or sweetheart. $150. ON HOLD
Wells Fargo & Co. Express Wire Sealer and Box of Seals. This Apex sealer leaves a clear “W F & CO EX” impression on the obverse side of the seal, and “4031” on the reverse. The sealer probably dates back to the late 1880’s. The identity of Messenger # 4031 is not known. The box of about 100 “lead and wire” seals were manufactured by E. J. Brooks Co, Newark, N. J. and are probably “modern.” $200.
Wells Fargo & Co. Express Messenger Magazines. This magazine was the “house organ” for the company during its final years. These issues were published monthly from September, 1912 through August, 1916 and are in near-mint condition. These two blue-grey binders and a June, 1918 issue (also included) are pictured in “Company Property . . .” on page 89. Each turn of a page reveals a wealth of information about the company and the property items that it used. For example, on page 1 of the first issue, the Semi-Centennial Medal is pictured and described. The magazines’ pages revealed dozens of property items for “Company Property . . .” Discover all of them yourself, and perhaps a few that we missed! Forty-nine issues total. $1,500.
Wells Fargo & Co Express Christmas Address Labels. Five in all, these labels were offered to customers free of charge. One “Do Not Open” sticker is included. $50.
1873 Circular regarding Cipher Books. This circular was issued by Superintendent John J. Valentine to end the practice of agents wiring money by telegraph without the use of an official cipher, or code book. Therefore, the circular announces that a Wells Fargo & Co. Express cipher book had been issued, a property item that has not yet surfaced among Wells Fargo collectors. $150.
1914 Single-Face Call-Card Enamel Sign. Listed as #20 in the company's 1914 Sign List, this sign hung flat against a wall, and was “for depots where No. 18 cannot be used.” An extremely rare sign, since most “Call-Card Design” enamel signs are Double-Faced. White paint (easily removed) covers a few “dings,” one of which is large, but none of which mar the beauty of the diamond logo. These signs are listed in the book, “Company Property …”, on pages 128-131. This sign, measuring 21” x 21”, probably hung on the north side of a depot for years, because no fading or sun damage is visible at all. The colors are crisp and beautiful! $1,000.
Reverse. This sign probably hung on the north side of a depot for years, because no fading or sun damage is visible at all. The colors are crisp and beautiful.
1879 Annual Frank. Pictured on page 68 of “Company Property … ,” A excellent example of an early issued frank. $150.
1888 Annual Frank. An early issued frank in excellent condition. $125.
1889 Annual Frank. An early issued frank, colorful and ready for mounting and framing. $ 125.
1890 Annual Frank. Pictured on page 69 of “Company Property … ,” this frank is colorful, and would look great mounted and framed on the wall. A fine example of an early frank. $150.
Vegetable Crate Label. These labels were used by Wells Fargo & Co. of Arizona, a subsidiary of the main company that was NOT consolidated into the American Railway Express Company in 1918. Probably used in the 1940’s. Very rare -- only one known to exist. Note the adaptation of the Call Card logo. This label is in mint condition, and it deserves to be professionally mounted, framed, and added to an exquisite Wells Fargo collection. This one is shown in "Company Property . . ." on page 149. $800.
1908 Official Conference Minutes. A soft bound book of studies and discussions that upper management, Route Agents, and Superintendents of Supply Departments held on standardizing property and procedures, such as handling money packages, procuring firearms and shot guns. Twelve committees were established, and the discussions give a clear picture of how the express business was being transacted. This book is 117 pages in near-mint condition. This copy belonged to one Louie W. Fisher, who signed it on the cover. $300. Another unsigned copy is available, same near-mint condition, for $300.
1914 Official Directory. This book is pictured in “Company Property … “ on page 56. One of the last issued, this book lists thousands of office locations, and is an excellent reference in determining if an office seal existed for a particular location. Also lists hundreds of railroads and steamship lines serving the offices. A directory is a “must” for a serious Wells Fargo collector. Shows some wear. $500.
1870 Letter signed by Washburn. R. W. Washburn established the first Wells Fargo Bank in San Francisco in 1852. He worked there well into his eighties. Any framed Washburn paper item is a great addition to a Wells Fargo collection. Very rare. It is shown in "Company Property . . ." on page 29.
$400.
Express Poster Stamps. In 1914, Wells Fargo & Co. Express began “The Fargo Way” advertising campaign. As part of that promotion, these colorful “Poster Stamps” were given freely to all customers to promote business. The stamps were first introduced in the May, 1914 issue of their company magazine, the “Wells Fargo Messenger.” These beautiful stamps are frequently seen separately, but VERY SELDOM IN A FULL SHEET! One of the most colorful W. F. & Co. Express items – begs to be matted and framed! The sheet measures 5-1/2" x 6-1/2", and IS SIMILAR to the one shown in Company Property, on page 133. $100
$300
Railroad Dining Car China Documents In the 1970's, Stephen S. Sandknop was a Catholic priest and pastor of a college in Canton, Missouri. His passion was railroading, especially collecting dining car china. Known to collectors as “Father Steve,” he is the first known collector to begin a reference guide for railroad dining car china. He passed away in 1976.
Fr. Steve’s book, NOTHING COULD BE FINER, was neither dated nor copyrighted, but his reference to The Railroadiana Express dates this edition as late 1974 or early 1975. This was his first BOUND edition, and the first edition where his mimeographed hand drawings were replaced by actual photographs. A few pencil marks, and the binding is loose, but repairable.
“Nothing Could Be Finer” -- First Edition 74 pages, Soft Cover: $75
Sounds of 1401. This 33 rpm recording contains sounds of the famous Southern Railway 4-6-2 locomotive 1401, which is on display at the U.S. National Museum in Washington D.C. This locomotive pulled the funeral train of President Franklin D. Roosevelt part of the way from Warm Springs, Georgia to Washington, D.C. in April, 1945. It is about seven inches in diameter. The recording also contains sounds of the Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 “Big Boy,” Pennsylvania Railroad 4-6-2, and New York Central 4-6-4 locomotives. $35.
Wells Fargo Rate Cutter, c1888. A small brass plate that was used to hold a stub tightly in place, while the MONEY ORDER was being “cut” (torn) from it. Rates were printed on the plate, hence the term “rate cutter.” This one is pictured in “Company Property . . .” on page 108. $150
Stereograph, W F & Co Ex office, Montgomery St., San Francisco, c1865. Looking south from Sacramento St., the Wells Fargo office is in the Parrott Building on the northwest corner at California St. No signage is visible. Two wagons and express packages are at the curb. An insurance company is across the street. Shirts are made to order next door, and ferry tickets are for sale in the foreground. The horse-drawn street car tracks run down the middle of the street. The Omni Hotel resides at this site, today. Very nice condition. No printing on the reverse side. $900.
W F & Co Ex Agency Appointment of O.C. Hacker, 1907. This letter appoints Hacker, the agent at Kent, Ohio, to the Warren, Ohio office. Two original photographs show Hacker at work later on in his Dayton, Ohio office in 1913. His story, and his photograph outside the Dayton office is pictured in “Company Property . . .” on page 22. The interior office photograph has not been published. The letter is pictured on page 23. $1,200.
“W F & Co EXPRESS” Coin Bag, c1900. Medium to heavy canvas. Excellent marking and overall condition. Two brown stains at lower left do not detract from the appearance. This would be a perfect addition to a display of a treasure box, shot gun, and call card. SIMILAR to the one shown in “Company Property . . .” on page 23. $1,500.
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