Forwarded by [Gay] Kinsley & Co's Boston, New York, Philadelphia & Eastern Express. Black on light blue label with "Gay" cut out after he left the express, on reverse of folded letter datelined "Fall River (Mass.) Jun. 20, 1851" to New York, manuscript "pr Gay, Kinsley & Co. Exps" notation at bottom left; some restored fold splitting at upper right, otherwise Very Fine, a very rare provisional Kinsley & Co's express label usage, with 2010 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

In 1850, Gay departed to form Gay & Co. Express in New England, while Kinsley & Co. remained in Philadelphia. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

Forwarded by Gay, Kinsley & Co's Boston, New York, Philadelphia & Eastern Express. Black on vermilion label affixed to folded letter sheet to Philadelphia, with bold red "Stait's Despatch Post, at Adams' Expr's, 48 S. 3d St., Paid" handstamp, with printed "Circular." and manuscript street addressing; label margin folded over cover with some creasing at bottom, Very Fine, a unique Gay, Kinsley & Co. Express Express usage handed over to Stait's Despatch for delivery in Philadelphia, with 2001 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Forwarded by Gay, Kinsley & Co's Boston, New York, Philadelphia & Eastern Express. Black on dark blue express label with steamboat and locomotive illustrations., on 1850 folded letter from Boston, Mass. to New York, pencil "2/-" bit express charge (25¢); some slight toning, Very Fine, ex-Gibson, with 2010 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Forwarded by Howard Express Company from Allentown Pa. Black on vermilion label affixed on cover to Philadelphia, with blue embossed "J.L. Hoffman & Bros., Steam Saw Mill, Allentown, Pa." corner card, manuscript "$202.93" money letter endorsement and "Paid 3/-" bit rating (37½¢); small corner repair at top right, Very Fine and scarce, one bit was charged for each $100 value increment, with 2010 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Forwarded by the Howard Express Company from 248 Chestnut St., Philadelphia. Black on vermilion label affixed to cover addressed to New York; small label flaws and cover folds and missing backflap, F.-V.F., with 2010 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $400 - 600. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

The Howard Express Company, Philadelphia. Red printed money package front for collection in Erie, Pa. on accounts in Philadelphia, forwarded with black on green "Forwarded by the United States Express Co., From Dunkirk, N.Y." label, delivered with black on vermilion "Money Package by the American Express Co., From Erie, Pa." label, manuscript "8/-" bit rating ($1.00); labels with corner nicks and green label with internal tear, otherwise Very Fine, one of three recorded triple conjunctive parcel express usage recorded, with 2011 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Forwarded by (H. B.) Roberts & Co's Philadelphia & Norristown Express. Black on orange label with illustrated locomotive, offices and agent listings, on reverse of ca. 1852 cover to Philadelphia with blue "Henry Hill, Dealer in Iron, Hardware & Tools, Norristown, Pa." illustrated embossed cameo corner card depicting saw and anvil, Extremely Fine, the only known usage of this rare express package label (Mosher RBTX-L1), with 2010 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

Forwarded by H. B. Roberts' Philad'a & Norristown Express. Typeset on pink label with office addresses, on folded letter datelined "Norristown, March 22, 1849", to street address in Philadelphia, Very Fine, the only known usage of this early express package label, with 2010 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Forwarded by Shattuck & Smylie's Philadelphia & Eastern Package Express. Large black on green label with illustrated locomotive and office addressed in Philadelphia and Easton, on folded letter sheet to street address in Philadelphia, with manuscript "an order" notation and red "1851" date with may not be contemporary; small sealed cover tear at bottom, Very Fine, the only known usage of this rare express package label, ex-Knapp, Gibson & Foote, with 2010 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Forwarded by, American Mail Co., from No. 109 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. Red circular handstamp on fresh folded letter datelined "Phil. Aug 29, 44" to New York, with matching straight line "Paid" handstamp at right, handed over for local delivery with clear red "Boyd's City Express Post, Sep 1, 9 O'C" boxed date stamp, Very Fine, a rare American Mail Co. independent mail and Boyd's local city post conjunctive usage, ex-Hollowbush & Schwartz, with 2011 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

American Letter Mail Co., 1844, 5¢ black, thin paper (2nd printing). Ample to large margins, deep color, manuscript "X" cancel and bold red "Paid" straight line handstamp (impression ties through to cover) on folded letter,sheet to Philadelphia, with matching "Forwarded by, American Letter Mail Co., from No. 109 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia" circular handstamp; slight cover edge soiling at top, Very Fine, a choice strike of this Philadelphia handstamp used for only a short time in 1844, with 1998 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 5L1; Estimate $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

American Letter Mail Co., 1844, 5¢ black, thin paper (2nd printing). Clear to large margins, tied by bold red Oval of Stars cancel on folded letter datelined "Philad: March 8, 1844" to New York, Very Fine, a choice usage of this fancy star cancellation applied upon arrival in New York, with 1997 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 5L1; Estimate $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

American Letter Mail Co., 1844, black on gray, horizontal pair. Margins huge to just shaving frameline at top left, small scissor cut between stamps at top, canceled and tied by manuscript dashes on folded letter sheet docketed "New York, 14th Nov., 1844" to Philadelphia, with red "Forwarded by, American Mail Co., Nov. 15, from No. 101 Chestnut St., Philada." circular date stamp alongside, Very Fine, a rare double rate usage of the Large Eagle issue, with 2007 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 5L2; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

American Letter Mail Co., 1844, black on gray, three singles. Margins large to just in, manuscript "X" cancels on folded letter sheet with "Pr Mail, Philada" on inner flap, to New York with red "Forwarded by the American Letter Mail Company, Office, 56 Wall St., N.Y." oval handstamp applied upon arrival; left and center stamp with small flaws, Very Fine appearance, with 1991 & 2010 P.F. certificates.
Scott No. 5L2; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

ONE OF FIVE RECORDED TRIPLE USAGES OF THE AMERICAN LETTER MAIL CO. LARGE EAGLE ISSUE ON COVER. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Forwarded by, American Mail Co., from No. 109 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. Bold red circular handstamp on folded letter datelined "New York, Augt 23rd, 1844" to Philadelphia, with manuscript "collect, 37½ cents" rating most likely for six single rate letters at the unpaid 6¼¢ rate; sealed bottom left corner tear slightly affecting handstamp, otherwise Very Fine, this being one of two known Independent Mail Co. usage bearing the sextuple 37½¢ rating, with 2011 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

American Letter Mail Co., 1844, black on gray. Large margins, canceled by manuscript X on folded Swiftsure Transportation Line illustrated bill of lading depicting steamboat pulling barge, datelined "Philadelphia, Oct 15, 1844" to Troy, N.Y., red "Forwarded by, American Mail Co., Oct 15, from No. 101 Chestnut St. Philada." circular date stamp; vertical file fold affecting stamp, F.-V.F., the only recorded American Letter Mail Co. delivery to Troy, N.Y. without conjunctive assistance, with 2001 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 5L2; Estimate $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

American Letter Mail Co., 1844, black on gray. Margins large to just shaving frameline at top, canceled by sharp bold red "Paid" straight line handstamp on folded letter datelined "New York, Aug 10, 1844" to Philadelphia; file fold through stamp, otherwise Very Fine, a rare usage of the large eagle issue canceled by the rare "Paid" handstamp upon arrival, with 2001 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 5L2; Estimate $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

American Letter Mail Co., 1844, black on gray. Margins large to in at left, canceled by bold manuscript "CC" initials of Calvin Case a carrier for the Philadelphia office, on folded letter datelined "New York, May 17, 1845" to Philadelphia, with red "Forwarded by, American Mail Co., from No. 101 Chestnut St., Philada." receiving handstamp; some splitting in central file fold, F.-V.F., the only recorded on cover example of the manuscript "CC" carrier initials, with 2000 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 5L2; Estimate $100 - 150. Est. $100-150 (Image)

Est. $100-150

American Letter Mail Co., 1844, blue on gray. Margins large to into outer frameline at top, canceled by manuscript "E.H.B." agent initials on folded letter datelined "Philada, 26th Augt, 1844" to New York, with red "Forwarded By, American Mail Co., From No. 109 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia" circular handstamp and matching straight line "Paid" handstamp; with tiny stain removed from stamp and cover, otherwise Very Fine, ex-Caspary, with 1997 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 5L3; Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.

THE EARLIEST ON COVER USAGE OF THE 1844 AMERICAN LETTER MAIL CO. BLUE ON GRAY LARGE EAGLE ISSUE - WITH ONLY TWELVE COVER RECORDED.

All surviving on cover examples of the blue Large Eagle originate from Philadelphia. All but two used during the late spring of 1845, just prior to the termination of the Independent Mails. Est. $1,500-2,000 (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000

American Letter Mail Co., 1844, 5¢ black, thin paper (2nd printing), vertical pair and single. Clear to huge margins, tied together by red brush stroke cancel on folded letter datelined "New York 15th February, 1844" to Philadelphia, pencil street address at top; some docketing into address panel and stamps with light creasing at left due to placement, F.-V.F., with 2004 & 2010 P.F. certificates.
Scott No. 5L1; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED TRIPLE AMERICAN LETTER MAIL CO. SMALL EAGLE FRANKINGS ON COVER.

The census of 5L1 covers maintained by John Bowman contains only one other cover with more than two stamps. The other franked with three singles. This is an extremely rare triple-rate franking. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Forwarded by Brainard & Co. From Troy. Bold red oval handstamp on folded letter datelined "West Troy, Sept. 6th 44" to Philadelphia, with red "Forwarded by, Hale & Co., from Cour. & Enq. Building, New York" oval handstamp with matching "Collect, Six Cents, For Hale & Co." box handstamp and additional "6" rate handstamp alongside, Very Fine, a scarce conjunctive usage and a very rare combination of markings, with 2000 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Brainard & Co., 1844, black. Ample to huge margins, pencil "C" canceled on folded letter docketed "Albany, July/44" to Philadelphia, with red "Forwarded by Brainard & Co. Albany" oval handstamp, carried to N.Y. and given to Hale & Co. with red "6" due handstamp for delivery in Philadelphia, reverse of letter with interesting notation "Letters &c for us, Send by Express mail & save 1/- each", Very Fine, ex-Hall, with 2001 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 24L1; Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.

ONE OF THE FINER OF FOUR RECORDED COVERS OF THE BRAINARD & CO. BLACK ISSUE IN COMBINATION WITH HALE & CO. TO PHILADELPHIA.

Brainard's New York to Albany/Troy route extended Hale's reach up the Hudson river, for additional charge. Likewise, Brainard utilized Hale to deliver their letters to Philadelphia. Est. $2,000-3,000 (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000

(Hale & Co., New York, N.Y.) 12½. Bold rate handstamp with additional "6" cent rate handstamp on unpaid 1844 triple rate folded letter to Philadelphia (6 cents in American and 12½ cents in Spanish currency denomination), Very Fine, the only recorded Hale & Co. unpaid triple rate handstamp usage, ex-Schwartz, with 2011 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

Hale & Co., From Providence (Forwarded By). Bold red oval handstamp on folded letter to Philadelphia, Pa. datelined "Smithfield Slatersville R.I., Oct 28th, 1844", with matching "12" handstamp for double rate, manuscript "2 Sheets" endorsement confirming rate, Very Fine and rare, with 2013 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Collect Six Cents for Hale & Co. Red boxed handstamp on 1845 folded letter to Philadelphia, Pa., red "Boyd's City Express Post, Jun 14, 4 O'C" oval date stamp for local delivery to Hale & Co. for transmission to Philadelphia; light file folds and faint toning, Very Fine, a rare local post and Independent Mail conjunctive usage, ex-Schwartz, with 2011 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

Only a few private posts had existed during the Independent Mail period. On very rare occasions they complimented companies such as Hales for local door deliveries to and from the independent mail companies. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400