Casey Jones Rail Road Unit of the ATA

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Trains on Private Express Labels and Stamps

Page 4

Please e-mail me at if you can provide additional information about any item, especially the equipment shown.

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LEGEND: Most of the information below is self-explanatory, but some of the conventions used may not be familiar to all viewers, so here are some explanations:

COLOR - the two colors following this title represent the ink and paper.
So "Black/Orange" means the item was printed with black ink on orange paper.

EQUIPMENT - these notes are very crude at present. If you can provide more specific data, please do so.
The terms "very early" and "early" are somewhat arbitrary, but in general refer to designs of the 1820's, 1830's and early 1840's. On early steam locomotives, the driver or engineer stood exposed at the rear, while both baggage/freightand passenger cars were open to the elements. By the 1850's locomotives had enclosed cabs. First Class passenger cars were enclosed fairly early, even in the 1830's, while second class and steerage remained open into the 1840s. Everything had to be enclosed eventually, since the higher speeds, plus the danger of fire from sparks made travel too hazardous otherwise.

IMAGE SIZE - Illustrations are not to scale relative to each other. Read the Size entries to obtain actual and relative sizes. The "ww x hh mm" entries define the outer dimensions of frame rectangles, or other measurable design extremes. "O/A ww x hh mm" entries define the overall paper size of a label/stamp or booklet cover when no design extremes are easily measureable. Unknown sizes are marked "Unknown". Uncertain dimensions are followed by a question mark.

UNITED STATES (continued)
Label or Stamp Image	Description
WELLS, FARGO & COMPANY'S EXPRESS (1852-1918) Transcontinental private mail and package express company that was started on March 18, 1852 in New York by Henry Wells and William G. Fargo. The intended operating area of this express company was the California coast and gold fields and it began its express business in California later in 1852. Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Express quickly expanded throughout California and gradually acquired other express companies and railroad express contracts until it achieved true transcontinental coverage on March 16, 1888. It became one of the four largest U.S. express companies ever, and perhaps it alone was the biggest in U.S. history. The official business name was changed to Wells Fargo & Company Express in 1898. The U.S. package express business portion of this company subsequently ended and was absorbed by the American Railway Express Co. on July 1,1918 by federal proclamation. However, Wells Fargo continued with their express business in Mexico into the 1940's. The Wells Fargo banking operations that was started in the 19th century also continued to prosper after 1918 and this institution is still going strong today.
	Company: Wells, Fargo & Company's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 72.5x61 mm Color: Light Blue/White Equipment: Baggage/freight car Mosher #: WFCX-L370
	Company: Wells, Fargo & Company's Express Type: Sheet of Labels, Perf 11.75 Year: 1914 Size: O/A 162.5x144 mm Color: Multicolor/White Equipment: Exterior of steam locomotive on one, interior of steam locomotive cab on another Mosher #: WFCX-L450 Notes: These were advertising labels issued as part of the company's "The Fargo Way" campaign in 1914.
	Company: Wells, Fargo & Company's Express Type: Label, Perf 11.75 Year: 1914 Size: 48x65 mm Color: Multicolor/White Equipment: Exterior of steam locomotive Mosher #: WFCX-L454 Notes: Advertising label issued as part of the company's "The Fargo Way" campaign in 1914.
	Company: Wells, Fargo & Company's Express Type: Label, Perf 11.75 Year: 1914 Size: 48x65 mm Color: Multicolor/White Equipment: Interior of steam locomotive cab Mosher #: WFCX-L455 Notes: Advertising label issued as part of the company's "The Fargo Way" campaign in 1914.
	Company: Wells, Fargo & Company's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 48x33.5 mm Color: Black/Orange Equipment: Very early steam locomotive Mosher #: WFCX-L525
	Company: Wells, Fargo & Company's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: ca. 1878 Size: 48x33.5 mm Color: Black/Orange Equipment: Early steam locomotive, tender, baggage/freight car, passenger car. Mosher #: WFCX-L530
	Company: Wells, Fargo & Company's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: ca. 1874 Size: 48x33.5 mm Color: Black/Orange Equipment: Early steam locomotive, tender, baggage/freight car, passenger car. Mosher #: WFCX-L535
	Company: Wells, Fargo & Company's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 49x33 mm Color: Black/Orange Equipment: Early steam locomotive, tender, baggage/freight car, passenger car. Mosher #: WFCX-L540
	Company: Wells, Fargo & Company's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 51x33 mm Color: Black/Orange Equipment: Very early steam locomotive, 2 passenger cars. Mosher #: WFCX-L542
	Company: Wells, Fargo & Company's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 47.5x32 mm Color: Black/Orange Equipment: Very early steam locomotive, 2 carriages of some sort. Mosher #: WFCX-L544
	Company: Wells, Fargo & Company's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 48x35 mm Color: Black/Orange Equipment: Very early steam locomotive, 2 carriages of some sort. Mosher #: WFCX-L546
	Company: Wells, Fargo & Company's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: ca. 1863 Size: 47.5x31.5 mm Color: Black/Orange Equipment: Very early steam locomotive, 2 carriages of some sort. Notes: Also occurs with other inks and papers. Mosher #: WFCX-L548
	Company: Wells, Fargo & Company's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 45.5x31 mm Color: Black/Orange Equipment: Very early steam locomotive, 2 carriages of some sort. Mosher #: WFCX-L550
	Company: Wells, Fargo & Company's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 111x71.5 mm Color: Black/Orange Equipment: Classic balloon- stack 4-4-0, tender, 2 freight/baggage cars, passenger cars Mosher #: WFCX-L560
	Company: Wells, Fargo & Company's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 110x72 mm Color: Black/Orange Equipment: Classic balloon- stack 4-4-0, tender, 2 freight/baggage cars, passenger cars Mosher #: WFCX-L565
	Company: Wells, Fargo & Company's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 105x62 mm Color: Black/Orange Equipment: Very early steam locomotive with carriage of some sort Mosher #: WFCX-L570
	Company: Wells, Fargo & Company's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 105x62 mm Color: Black/Orange Equipment: Very early steam locomotive with carriage of some sort Mosher #: WFCX-L572
	Company: Wells, Fargo & Company's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 104x62 mm Color: Black/Orange Equipment: Very early steam locomotive with carriage of some sort Mosher #: WFCX-L575
	Company: Wells, Fargo & Company's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: Forgery Size: 103.5x62 mm Color: Black/Orange Equipment: Very early steam locomotive with carriage of some sort Mosher #: WFCX-L577
WILLETT'S EXPRESS (Dates unknown) Local package express company that operated between Boston and Ipswich, Mass.
	Company: Willett's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: ca. 1847? Size: 92x83 mm Color: Black/Red Equipment: Steam locomotive, cars (too crude to see much) Mosher #: WILX-L1
WINSLOW'S EXPRESS (1841-57) Local private mail and package express company that operated between Boston and Portland, Maine.
	Company: Winslow's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: ca. 1844 Size: 33x45.5 mm Color: Black/Pale Yellow Equipment: Early steam locomotive Mosher #: WNSX-L1
	Company: Winslow's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: unknown Size: 90x75 mm Color: Black/Yellow Equipment: Very early steam locomotive with tender/freight/baggage car, passenger car Mosher #: WNSX-L15
CANADA
AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY (1850-1868,1873-1918) An American private mail and parcel express company that is described in the UNITED STATES Section. American Express provided cross border delivery and pickup services in the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada. There were probably many more American Express label and stamp designs (i.e., see the plethora of U.S. designs) used in Canada, but examples of such have not yet come to the Editor's attention. Most of the listed labels were probably issued with other Canadian city/town names on them. There are additional American Express Co. listings in the UNITED STATES Section.
AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY - Livingston, Fargo & Co Proprietors
	Company: American Express Company - Livingston, Fargo & Co Proprietors Type: Label, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 97.5x68 mm Color: Black/Orange Equipment: Classic balloon- stack 4-4-0, tender, freight/baggage car, passenger cars Mosher #: ALFX-L35
	Company: American Express Company - Livingston, Fargo & Co Proprietors Type: Label, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 49x33 mm Color: Black/Orange Equipment: Very early steam locomotive with tender/freight/baggage car, passenger car Mosher #: ALFX-L110
AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY - Wells, Butterfield & Co Proprietors
	Company: American Express Company - Wells, Butterfield & Co Proprietors Type: Label, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 43x32.5 mm Color: Black/Yellow Equipment: Very early steam locomotive with two passenger carriages Mosher #: AWBX-L15d
DOMINION EXPRESS CO. (1882-1926) National carrier that operated across Canada. A subsidiary of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Succeeded by the Canadian Pacific Express on September 1, 1926.
Complimentary Franks These were "Complimentary Franks", given to express, railroad, and government officials to be used for free transportation of the holder's personal packages over Dominion Express lines.
	Company: Dominion Express Co. Type: Comp. Frank, H.Imperf, V.Perf 12.5 Year: 1885 Size: 53.5x53.5 mm Color: Greenish Black/White, Slate Green/White Equipment: Steam locomotive, tender, freight/baggage cars Mosher #: DOMX-F10
	Company: Dominion Express Co. Type: Comp. Frank, H.Perf 12, V. Imperf Year: 1888 Size: 57x29 mm Color: Dark Blue/White Equipment: Steam locomotive, tender, freight/baggage cars Mosher #: DOMX-F15
	Company: Dominion Express Co. Type: Comp. Frank, Left side Perf 12 Year: 1890 Size: 75x40.5 mm Color: Green/White Equipment: Steam locomotive, tender Mosher #: DOMX-F20
	Company: Dominion Express Co. Type: Comp. Frank, Imperf Year: 1889? Size: 74x41 mm Color: Green/White Equipment: Steam locomotive, tender Mosher #: DOMX-F21 Notes: Also occurs with other inks and papers
	Company: Dominion Express Co. Type: Comp. Frank, Imperf Year: 1889? Size: 75x40.5 mm Color: Black/White Equipment: Steam locomotive, tender Mosher #: DOMX-F21A
	Company: Dominion Express Co. Type: Comp. Frank, Imperf Year: 1889? Size: 25x31 mm Color: Black/Yellow Equipment: Freight/baggage car atop company seal Mosher #: DOMX-F21B
	Company: Dominion Express Co. Type: Comp. Frank, Left side perf 11 Year: Unknown Size: 75x40 mm Color: Green/White Equipment: Freight/baggage car atop company seal Mosher #: DOMX-F25
	Company: Dominion Express Co. Type: Comp. Frank, Left side perf 11.5 Year: Unknown Size: 75x40 mm Color: Green/White Equipment: Freight/baggage car atop company seal Mosher #: DOMX-F27
	Company: Dominion Express Co. Type: Comp. Frank, Left side perf 11 Year: 1892 Size: 108x61.5 mm Color: Red/Cream Equipment: Freight/baggage car atop company seal Mosher #: DOMX-F30
	Company: Dominion Express Co. Type: Comp. Frank, Imperf Year: 189_ Size: 171x60 mm Color: Black/White Equipment: Freight/baggage car atop company seal Mosher #: DOMX-F31
	Company: Dominion Express Co. Type: Comp. Frank, Left side perf 11.75 Year: 190_ Size: 108x66 mm Color: Red/Cream Equipment: Freight/baggage car atop company seal Mosher #: DOMX-F33
	Company: Dominion Express Co. Type: Comp. Frank, Left side perf 11.75 Year: 19__ Size: 108x67.5 mm Color: Red/Cream Equipment: Freight/baggage car atop company seal Mosher #: DOMX-F35
Stamps The following stamps were purchased by customers to prepay charges for the shipment of qualifying express matter.
	Company: Dominion Express Co. Type: Stamp, Imperf Year: 1890 Size: 91x47 mm Color: Black/Light Gray Equipment: Freight/baggage car atop company seal Mosher #: DOMX-S32 Notes: This stamp exists in 6 denominations, each on a different color of paper
	Company: Dominion Express Co. Type: Stamp, Imperf Year: 1890? Size: 24x30 mm Color: Black/White Equipment: Freight/baggage car atop company seal Mosher #: DOMX-S39
	Company: Dominion Express Co. Type: Stamp, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 97x47 mm Color: Black/Pinkish-White Equipment: Freight/baggage car atop company seal Mosher #: DOMX-S45
	Company: Dominion Express Co. Type: Stamp, Imperf Year: 1902? Size: 91x47 mm Color: Black/Gray Equipment: Freight/baggage car atop company seal Mosher #: DOMX-S60
	Company: Dominion Express Co. Type: Stamp, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 92x48 mm Color: Black/Gray Equipment: Freight/baggage car atop company seal Mosher #: DOMX-S90 Notes: This stamp exists in 6 denominations, each on a different color of paper
	Company: Dominion Express Co. Type: Stamp, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 91x47.5 mm Color: Black/Cream Equipment: Freight/baggage car atop company seal Mosher #: DOMX-S103 Notes: This stamp exists in 6 denominations, each on a different color of paper
	Company: Dominion Express Co. Type: Stamp, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 92x47.5 mm Color: Black/Cream Equipment: Freight/baggage car atop company seal Mosher #: DOMX-S113 Notes: This stamp exists in 6 denominations, each on a different color of paper
	Company: Dominion Express Co. Type: Stamp, Imperf Year: ca. 1904 Size: 74x40 mm Color: Black/Pink Equipment: Freight/baggage car atop company seal Mosher #: DOMX-S120 Notes: This stamp exists in 4 denominations, each on a different color of paper
VICKERS' EXPRESS (1854-88) Regional parcel express company operated on the Northern Railway and the Toronto Grey and Bruce Railway by John Vickers. Vickers' Express was sold to the American Express Co. in 1888
	Company: Vickers' Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 74x53 mm Color: Black/Orange Equipment: Very early steam locomotive, tender/baggage car, passenger car Mosher #: VICX-L10

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