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A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE "CITY DISPATCH POST" 2-CENT STAMP.
We estimate that 15-20 examples of 160L1 exist. Its connection to the various "City Despatch" operations has never been established. (Image)
VERY FINE. A SPECTACULAR ASSEMBLY OF EXTREMELY RARE MULTIPLES, INCLUDING A STRIP OF FIVE AND TETE-BECHE STRIP OF THREE.
Although "reconstructed" as a block of twelve, these are disconnected multiples that may or may not reflect relative positions in the sheet.
Ex Hunter, Hollowbush, Boker and Golden. (Image)
FINE. ONE OF FOUR RECORDED COVERS BEARING THE PINKNEY'S EXPRESS POST STAMP -- THIS IS THE ONLY TIED EXAMPLE.
The only clue to the location of this post is the discovery cover, ex Ferrary, which contains a letter datelined "Fourth Ave., 94 -- opposite 11th St.", which Elliott Perry discusses in detail in Pat Paragraphs (reprint, pp. 473-474). The other recorded covers provide no further clues, except that the dates range from July to November 1851. Perry located a few Pinkney's (or Pinckney's) in the city directories, but found no evidence linking any of them to the post.
Our records contain four covers with 115L1, which may represent all or most of the known examples: 1) Jul. 9, 1851 folded letter to Boston with corner sheet margin single, uncancelled, "New-York 5 Cts. Jul. 10" due datestamp, ex Ferrary, Boker, 2) "New-York 5 Cts. Oct. 5" (1851 docketing) due datestamp, 115L1 cut to shape, tied by pen on cover to Suffield Conn., ex Golden (Siegel Sale 817, lot 1413, realized $5,250 hammer), 3) Nov. 3, 1851 folded letter to Mary S. Purdy, Sing Sing N.Y., same correspondence as No. 4 listed here, 115L1 cut square, uncancelled, red "New-York Paid 3 Cts. Nov. 4" datestamp, ex Caspary, Lilly, Hall (Siegel Sale 830, lot 736, realized $8,500 hammer), and 4) cut to circular shape, uncancelled, on folded cover to Robert H. Purdy, Sing Sing N.Y., same correspondence as No. 3 listed here, "New-York 5 Cts. Oct. 4" (1851) due datestamp, ex Brown, Hall (Siegel Sale 830, lot 737, realized $3,250 hammer). A fifth cover exists with a remnant of the Pinkney's 115L1 stamp, addressed to Andrew Van Bergan, Tully N.Y., with "New-York 5 Cts. Aug. 28" (1851) due datestamp (appreciation to Stephen Gronowski for this citation). The two covers from the Purdy correspondence have a third mate, the White's Branch Express cover, ex Caspary and Middendorf, which is dated Apr. 30, 1852.
Ex Golden (Siegel Sale 817, lot 1413, realized $5,250 hammer). With 1999 P.F. certificate (Image)
FINE APPEARANCE. REPORTED TO BE THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE RUSSELL 8TH AVE. POST OFFICE 2-CENT BLUE GREEN ON GREEN PAPER.
Listed but unpriced in Scott, where described as unique. (Image)
EXTREMELY FINE SET OF WELLS, FARGO & COMPANY'S HORSE & RIDER STAMPS ISSUED FOR USE ON THE LEGENDARY PONY EXPRESS. VERY FEW SETS OF THIS SUPERB QUALITY COULD BE ASSEMBLED.
The Pony Express was launched in 1860 by the overland freight express firm operated by William H. Russell, Alexander Majors and William B. Waddell. In an attempt to secure the lucrative government mail contract, the Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company announced that it would carry letters between California and the railroad terminus at St. Joseph, Missouri, in less than ten days. The earliest advertisements appeared in January 1860, and the first pony rider left the Alta Telegraph office in San Francisco at 4:00 p.m. on April 3, 1860. The expressman and his bag of mail did not actually ride off toward St. Joseph. He first boarded the steamer New World and traveled up the Sacramento River to Sacramento. From there another horse and rider galloped off on the first leg of the journey. Several riders and horses were used along the arduous journey, and the mail reached St. Joseph ten days later, on April 13. The operation continued until October 1861.
Commencing July 1, 1861, the Pony Express was authorized by Congress to carry mail at the rate of $1.00 per half ounce. An additional fee was charged by Wells, Fargo & Co. to carry mail from San Francisco to the western terminus at Placerville. The contract also stipulated the mandatory U.S. postage charge of 10c per half ounce. Although the Scott Catalogue lists the July 1861 issue Pony Express stamps (143L3-143L6) with other private post issues, we wish to emphasize that these stamps were issued under the terms of a government mail contract, therefore, they have semi-official status.
Although some of the Horse & Rider stamps were remaindered, they are scarce, and the vast majority do not have four margins or have faults. This superb set would be extremely difficult to duplicate. Each stamp has been plated. (Image)
VERY FINE. A SCARCE USE OF THE VIRGINIA CITY PONY EXPRESS 10-CENT BROWN FROM NEVADA, BEARING THE HANDSTAMPED MARKINGS OF WELLS FARGO'S AURORA AND GENOA OFFICES.
This cover originated in Aurora, Nevada Territory, and was marked to go by "Pony" to California. The 10c Brown was affixed and cancelled at Genoa (northwest of Aurora). The letter includes two postscripts regarding the Pony Express stamps: "P.S. I send you a couple of Pony Express stamps. If you put one on a letter it will arrive here a day sooner." and "P.S. 2d. I find tonight that the supply of pony express stamps is out. Howard can get you some at Wells Fargo & Co's. They only cost 10 Cts. Put one on each express envelope in which you send me a letter. And tell Howard to take Dr. Brown an express envelope with pony stamp on it." (Image)
EXTREMELY FINE. A CHOICE STAMP AND BEAUTIFUL VIRGINIA CITY PONY EXPRESS COVER FROM THE FAMOUS CRITTENDEN CORRESPONDENCE.
With 1981 P.F. certificate. (Image)