143L2, Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, 1861 $4 Green, bottom right corner margin block of four, pos 14-15/ 19-20 with the top and right margins full to just in at upper left, part o.g., pronounced creases - one ends in a small tear between the top pair, light soiling, F-VF appearance; the only recorded block of the issue and a great rarity of the renowned Pony Express issues

Provenance: Hall Collection (R.A. Siegel, Sale 830, 2000)

Thurston Twigg-Smith (R.A. Siegel, Sale 979, 2009)

CV.

143L3, Wells, Fargo and Co. Pony Express, 1861 $1 Red, block of four, unused, fresh and Very Fine, an attractive sound multiple (Scott $750 for o.g.)

Provenance: Edgar Kuphal (R.A. Siegel Sale 925, 2006)

CV. 300

143L4, Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, 1861 $2 Green, lower left corner block of six (positions 6-7, 11-12, 16-17), just wide enough at left and bottom to identify margin, margins at top and right ample to full, sharp impression and fresh paper, unused, light horizontal creasing/ wrinkling in top right stamp and center pair (hardly noticeable from the front), Extremely Fine appearance, few blocks known for this issue with none larger and this certainly being one of the finest; 1999 Philatelic Foundation certificate (Scott $2,100 for block of four and two singles)

Provenance: Thurston Twigg-Smith (R.A. Siegel Sale 979, 2009)

CV. 1,000

143L5, Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, 1861 $4 Black, bottom left corner margin block of six (positions 6-7, 11-12, 16-17), proof-like impression enhanced by bright white paper, ample to full margins top and right, unused, light corner bend lower right confined to the margin, 2mm scissor cut between top stamps, Extremely Fine, an outstanding block of six that is as fresh as the day it was printed, only a handful of blocks known (none larger), with this certainly ranking amongst the finest; 1999 Philatelic Foundation certificate (Scott $1,140 as singles, block of four listed but unpriced)

Provenance: Thurston Twigg-Smith (R.A. Siegel Sale 979, 2009)

CV. 2,000

35, 1857 10c Green, Type V, single franking tied on envelope by bold strike of "The Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company, San Francisco, Cal. Aug. 4" oval and "St. Joseph Aug 17 1860" date stamps, ms "To be forwarded by Pony Express", addressed to "Capt. James Coffin/ Warren R.I.", back side with nice strike of the carmine "Pony Express, St. Joseph, Aug 16" (1860) Running Pony oval receiving date stamp on back, stamp some perf tip toning, envelope sliced open through backflap, Fine and attractive eastbound Pony cover

Carried on the eastbound trip that left San Francisco on August 4 and arrived at St. Joseph on August 17, FKW Census E12, Trip ET-19. Only 10 covers graced with the distinctive carmine "Running Pony" marking.

Capt. James Coffin (1788-1869) spent his life as a sea captain and ship owner based out of Rhode Island and retired from business life to Warren where he became involved in the Masons and philanthropic activities.

CV. 10,000

36, 1857 12c Black, Plate 1, single tied by nice strike of blue "Pony Express, San Francisco, Nov. 10" Running Pony oval datestamp with an adjacent "Saint Joseph Nov 24" double circle arrival date stamp, addressed to "G.W. Schenkberg, Esq." on Broad St in NY City, ms "Pr Pony" at upper left, backstamped with a well struck black "Pony Express, St Joseph, Nov 23" Running Pony oval date stamp, lightweight envelope opened at top with couple of inconsequential edge breaks, Very Fine in every respect, one of just three Pony Express covers franked with the 1857/59 12c Black issue; 1966 Philatelic Foundation certificate

Carried on the eastbound trip that left San Francisco on November 10 and arrived at St. Joseph on November 23. FKW Census E39, Trip ET47.

Provenance: Judge Robert S. Emerson (Daniel F. Kelleher Sale 396, 1938)

Marc Haas (Private Transaction)

Louis Grunin (Christie's Robson Lowe, 1988)

CV. 25,000

143L3, Wells, Fargo and Co. Pony Express, 1861 $1 Red, tied on 1860-61 10c Green on buff envelope with red Wells, Fargo Paid printed frank (U33) by strong strike of blue "Pony Express San Francisco Sep 11" (1861) Running Pony oval date stamp, indicial cancelled by "Atchison Kan Sep 23" double circle date stamp, addressed to "Henry Wetherbee" in Saratoga Springs NY and forwarded to NY City, well-struck "Saratoga Springs N.Y. Oct 4" date stamp and nice "Forwarded 3" handstamp (3c due for forwarding), docketing on back indicates letter received "Oct 5th/ 61", stamp clear to full margins top and right, margins to in the other sides, Very Fine and quite unusual with the auxiliary due marking (Scott $12,500)

The FKW census records only 25 covers sent through Atchison. The transcontinental railroad reached Atchison by September 1861 and from that point on it became the post office entry point for Pony Express mail. This cover was carried on the first trip utilizing the Atchison office as a transfer point for eastbound mail. FKW Census E159. Trip ET-134.

CV. 7,500

Pony Express, St. Joseph. May 13 (1860), incredibly crisp and well-struck strike of the Running Pony oval handstamp on envelope, "Milton S. Latham U.S.S." free frank (government postage), addressed in his hand to "George Wallace/ Secretary to Mr. Downey/ Sacramento Cal." (California's Governor John Downey), also endorsed "Per Pony Express" in Latham's hand, additional ms "Paid $5.00", payment of Pony Express fee written in another hand, with original contents datelined "Washington, May 8/60" entirely in Latham's hand (interesting letter including comments on the 1860 Democratic Convention in Charleston which, in the end, failed to nominate a candidate), envelope neatly opened at top, Extremely Fine in every respect and with a magnificent strike of the famed "Running Pony" handstamp; one of six Pony Express covers signed by Sen. Latham and the only one on which there was express fee charged; illustrated in Nathan & Boggs "The Pony Express" on page 10. rnThis cover left St. Joseph on May 13 and arrived by Pony Express at Sacramento on May 24 and is one of the earliest westbound Pony covers recorded. FKW Census W3; Trip WT-7.rnMilton Latham (1827-82), previously a member of the House of Representatives and collector for the Port of San Francisco, was elected Governor of California at age 32 as a Lecompton (pro-Southern) Democrat, and his election to the office of Governor was opposed by those who feared that he would make California a pro-slavery state. Two days after Latham took the oath of office, the legislature agreed to elect him to fill a vacancy in the U.S. Senate. Many believe that Latham ran for Governor because he wanted the available seat of Senator Broderick, who had been killed in a duel. When he took his seat in the Senate, Latham was its youngest member and served until 1863 but was unsuccessful in his bid for re-election. While there he was a strong supporter of the Pony Express and was one of the few individuals who could use the service free of charge.

John Downey (1827-94) was born in Ireland and came to be California's Governor after serving just five days as Milton Latham's Lt. Governor.

Provenance: Hall Collection (R.A. Siegel Sale 830, 2000)

Thurston Twigg-Smith (R.A. Siegel Sale 979, 2009)

CV. 75,000

California Pony Express New-York Dec 1 (1860) clearly struck greenish-blue oval date stamp on 3c Red on buff envelope (U27), ms "Pony Express" at lower left, addressed to "Messrs Crosby & Dibbler" in San Francisco, small ms"2.50"(rate) adjacent to indicia, backside with well-struck "Pony Express/ St Joseph/ Dec 6" oval Running Pony handstamp in black, envelope opened and slightly reduced at left, light corner bend and a tiny scuff lower right corner, Very Fine, only 12 westbound Pony Express covers carry the California Pony Express dated handstamp with this being the earliest recorded

This cover demonstrates a loophole that allowed westbound mail to be sent in bundles from the East Coast to St. Joseph by mail with only 3c domestic postage (rather than 10c for over 3,000 miles) prepaid. This loophole was eliminated in the Act of February 27, 1861 and required 10c postage on any letter crossing the Rockies.

FKW Census W25; Trip WT59.

CV. 5,000

143L7, Wells, Fargo & Co., Virginia City Pony Express, 1862-64 10c Brown, vertical block of six, unused, ample to large margins, Extremely FinernProvenance: Hall Collection (R.A. Siegel Sale 830, 2000)

Thurston Twigg-Smith (R.A. Siegel Sale 979, 2009)

CV. 500

143L8, Wells, Fargo & Co., Virginia City Pony Express, 1862-64 25c Dark blue, vertical block of eight, pos D3-4/5-6/7-8/9-10, deep rich color, unused, full to huge margins, a tiny spot on one stamp, still Extremely Fine

Provenance: Hall Collection (R.A. Siegel Sale 830, 2000)

Thurston Twigg-Smith (R.A. Siegel Sale 979, 2009)

CV. 1,500

CV. 2,000

143L8, Wells, Fargo & Co., Virginia City Pony Express, 1862-64 25c Dark blue, position B6, tied by splendid strike of blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express/Aurora" oval handstamp which also cancels the 3c Pink entire (U34), Wells Fargo & Co. printed frank, addressed to "Clara C. Crittenden" in San Francisco from her son Howard (a mill superintendent in Aurora), stamp clear to ample margins, envelope opened at bottom and tiny sealed edge tear at right, Very Fine and choice cover from the famed Crittenden correspondence (Scott $4,750)

Provenance: "D.K." Collection (R.A. Siegel Sale 862, 2003)

Thurston Twigg-Smith (R.A. Siegel Sale 979, 2009)

CV. 2,000

143L8, Wells, Fargo & Co., Virginia City Pony Express, 1862-64 25c Dark blue, position B6, tied by splendid strike of blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express/Aurora" oval handstamp which also cancels the 3c Pink entire (U34), Wells Fargo & Co. printed frank, addressed to "Clara C. Crittenden" in San Francisco from her son Howard (a mill superintendent in Aurora), stamp clear to ample margins, envelope opened at bottom and tiny sealed edge tear at right, Very Fine and choice cover from the famed Crittenden correspondence (Scott $4,750)

Provenance: "D.K." Collection (R.A. Siegel Sale 862, 2003)

Thurston Twigg-Smith (R.A. Siegel Sale 979, 2009)

CV. 2,000

Wells, Fargo & Co., Die Proof for 1897 Reprint in black, composite proof, 10c frame only adjacent to full $1 design, additional numerals at each side, slightly reduced at left, still Fine and rare.

Provenance: Hall Collection (R.A. Siegel Sale 830, 2000)

CV. 500

Wells, Fargo & Co., 10c-$4 Pony Express, 1897 Reprint black plate proof on wove, the complete sheet of 25 with the $4 values in first column defaced, vertical creases through 25c and $1 columns, margin reduced at top, Very Fine

Provenance: Hall Collection (R.A. Siegel Sale 830, 2000)

Thurston Twigg-Smith (R.A. Siegel Sale 979, 2009)

CV. 2,000