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Any thoughts on this one? I found this in an old BOB stock book I bought from a dealer in Indiana. I’m curious of your thoughts. Is it genuine? Possibly a reprint or a fake. It appears used so I’m doubting it’s a fake but I’m certainly no expert on these old Wells Fargo stamps.
Nice find! The design is the Wells Fargo & Co. Pony Express 10 cent brown, the “running pony” issue with “Enclosed in our Franks” at the bottom, which matches Scott 143L7.
Whether it’s genuine is the hard part. These Wells Fargo stamps were widely reprinted and forged, and a cancel doesn’t settle it either, because fake and reprinted copies were cancelled too. A few things that would help:
- Post a photo of the back, and a close-up of the cancel.
- Compare the fine engraving lines in the background and in the pony’s legs against a known genuine copy. Forgeries usually look coarser or blurrier.
- If it checks out, get a certificate (Philatelic Foundation or APS) before buying, selling or insuring it. That’s standard for Western express stamps.
It’s a great piece of history either way. Thanks for sharing it!
APS Stamp Dealer #224675
Thanks Ryan! I’ll post a picture of the back soon. Might just send it in to PSE regardless and see what they think. Thanks again for your insight Sir!
-Darin
