Roundup: December 9, 2015

Almansor Court – 700 S. Almansor, Alhambra, CA
Social Hour: 5:00 PM
Dinner: 6:00 PM

Speaker: Juan Colato
Subject: Wells Fargo: Legendary Name, Artifacts, Fakes and “Fantasy” Items

For historians and those interested in other times and places, the name Wells Fargo is forever connected to adventurous and romantic images of runaway stagecoaches, shotgun guards, and treasure boxes filled with gold. It also includes the more mundane, if highly necessary, tools of doing business in the 19th century-ledger books, hand stamps, documents and forms, letters, desks, lamps, etc. that the dedicated Wells Fargo agent needed to perform his or her work for customers.

These items large and small have become rare today and highly collectible. The marketplace notes that the name Wells Fargo on a gun or document or belt buckle adds greatly to its value. Many unscrupulous folks in the marketplace also note that it is easy to add the name or initials WF to an authentic antique or to create something today that looks old! Since its founding in 1852, a whole industry was born that dedicates itself to producing counterfeit Wells Fargo material.  Let those less informed be cautious, as there are numerous fakes out there to buy.

Come and enjoy this fascinating presentation with Juan Colato, Senior Wells Fargo History Museum Manager, from which you are sure to learn more than you think you know about Wells Fargo memorabilia.

John Selmer
Deputy Sheriff