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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To order the Catalog of Private Express Labels and Stamps, e-Mail the book's author at: bhmexp@digital.net
(Mention that you found out about the catalog on this web page - part of the Alphabetilately web site.)


All images Copyright © 2002, Bruce H. Mosher
All text Copyright © 2002, William M. Senkus and Bruce H. Mosher

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Revised -- 09/02/2002