Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company, Denver City K.T. Oct. 30. Oval handstamp tying rare "C.O.C. & P.P. Express, St. Joseph, Mo. or Leavenworth, K.T." magenta label, bottom left corner clipped off, on 3¢ red (U10) Nesbitt entire to Lock Port Pa., second strike of oval alongside dated Oct. 29, entered mails with "Leavenworth City, Kas. Nov 6" and matching grid cancel on indicia; flap torn and trivial mended top edge nick, Very Fine and attractive, A very rare label on cover, particularly tied by the Express handstamp, ex-Persson, Stach, Walske.
Estimate; $7,500 - 10,000.

ONE OF ONLY SIX RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE CENTRAL OVERLAND CALIFORNIA & PIKE'S PEAK EXPRESS MAGENTA LABEL ON COVER.

This company was the immediate predecessor of The Pony Express. It was organized by the firm of Russell, Majors & Waddell for the purpose of saving the partnership's freighting operations to army posts in the West. They were one of two firms that carried mail to the Pike's Peak region when the gold rush began there. COC&PPE had obtained the mail contract from St. Joseph to Salt Lake City operating over the Platte River Road. They carried the express Pike's Peak mail over this route as far as Julesburg, where it was diverted south to Denver, which had a post office, but no mail route serving the town.

The backflap has a third strike of the "Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company, Denver City K.T." oval handstamp dated "Oct. 7". These envelopes were available for purchase prior to use and this handstamp reflects the date of sale.

References: Illustrated in Jarrett Colorado book. Est. $7,500-10,000 (Image)

Est. $7,500-10,000

The Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company, St. Joseph, Mo. Dec 8. Sharp strike of oval company handstamp on yellow cover bearing 3¢ dull red (26), corner fault, canceled by bold "Paid" handstamp, matching "Pacific City Ioa Dec" cds to C. Nuckolls at Mountain City, Kansas Territory, endorsed "Care C.O.C. & P.P. Express, St. Joseph" at lower left; no back flap, Very Fine and scarce use.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

The Central Overland California & Pike's Peak Express Company, St. Joseph. Mo., Dec 22. Neat blue oval handstamp on yellow cover bearing 3¢ dull red (26) tied by bold straightline "Paid" handstamp, matching "Pacific City Ioa. Dec 18" cds to Mountain City, Kansas Territory, which later became part of Colorado Territory, endorsed "Care C.O.C & P.P. Express, St. Joseph" at bottom left; flap missing and small repair at top just affecting marking, Very Fine appearance.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

The Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company, Denver City K.T. Jun 28. Oval datestamp on yellow cover bearing 3¢ dull red (26) tied by blue "Saint Joseph, Mo. Jul 5, 1860" cds to Montville Oh.; reduced a bit at left, otherwise Very Fine, with 1981 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

This entire was sent outside the mails from Denver to St. Joseph via the Central Overland Route (Denver-Julesburg-Fort Kearney) on a COC&PP coach. From there it entered the mails to New York. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Tracy & Co. Oregon Express. Ribbon frank on 3¢ Nesbitt (U10) entire cancelled by "Portland, OR. Feb 27" double-circle postmark to Portland Ore., small tear at top, scarce and F.-V.F.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Wells, Fargo & Co's Express. Bridgeport, Cal. Black on orange label with purple town designation handstamp, affixed on large package front with manuscript "chgs 75¢" rating to U.S. Circuit Court at San Francisco Cal., docketed as received and file April 22, 1885, F.-V.F. and scarce use.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200