• Login (enter your user name) and Password
    Please Login. You are NOT Logged in.

    Quick Search:

  • To see new sales and other StampAuctionNetwork news in your Facebook newsfeed then Like us on Facebook!

Login to Use StampAuctionNetwork.
New Member? Click "Register".

StampAuctionNetwork Extended Features

StampAuctionNetwork Channels


 
You are not logged in. Please Login so that we can determine your registration status with this firm. If you have never registered, please register by pressing the [Quick Signup (New to StampAuctionNetwork)] button. Then Login. Listen to Live Audio!


 
logo

The New Helvetia Collection of Western Expresses continued...

1860-61 Transcontinental Pony Express continued...
Lot Sym. Lot Description  
46   ImageWells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $4.00 Green (143L2). Position 6, full to large margins, cancelled by blue San Francisco Running Pony oval datestamp with trace of manuscript, tiny thin spot and small tear at left

EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. FEWER THAN SIX USED EXAMPLES OF THE $4.00 GREEN HORSE & RIDER FIRST ISSUE HAVE BEEN REPORTED. THIS IS QUITE POSSIBLY THE FINEST USED COPY EXTANT.

The $4.00 Green was used briefly during Rate Period 3 to pay the double $2.00 per half-ounce rate. Only one cover is recorded (FKW Census No. E105), and we have seen four genuinely cancelled stamps off cover.

Ex Twigg-Smith. With 2009 P.F. certificate. (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

E. $ 5,000-7,500

SOLD for $6,750.00
Will close during Public Auction
47 ngbl ImageWells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $1.00 Red (143L3). Position R6-7/10-11/14-15, vertical block of six, unused (no gum), large margins to ample at top, light vertical crease thru right column, Very Fine appearance, with 2013 P.S.A.G. certificate, Scott Retail as block of four and two singles (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

$ 950.00

SOLD for $550.00
Will close during Public Auction
48 c ImageWells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $1.00 Red (143L3). Position L18, two full to large margins, slightly in at left and bottom, rich color and proof-like impression, tied by blue Pony Express, San Francisco, Jul. 6” (1861) Running Pony oval datestamp on 10c Pale Green on Buff Nesbitt entire (U18a) to Mrs. Henry Wetherbee in Westfield Mass., with red Wells Fargo & Co. frank printed twice over green Freeman & Co. frank, embossed stamp cancelled by bold St. Joseph Mo. Jul. 18” circular datestamp, manuscript "For 3" forwarded 3c due marking, neatly docketed on back, skillfully repaired top right corner with small paper addition clear of embossed stamp

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN OUTSTANDING PONY EXPRESS USE WITH THE OLD FREEMAN & COMPANY FRANK OVERPRINTED WITH WELLS, FARGO & COMPANY’S FRANK. ONLY EIGHT PONY COVERS WITH THE FREEMAN & CO. FRANK ARE RECORDED. THIS WAS CARRIED ON THE SECOND TRIP UNDER THE NEW $1.00 GOVERNMENT CONTRACT RATE.

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, which is represented by their printed frank on this entire. The contract also stipulated the mandatory U.S. postage charge of 10c per half ounce. This cover beautifully combines all three postage elements and was carried on the second eastbound Pony Express trip after the new rates and stamps were introduced. 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.

John Freeman was an agent for Adams & Co. at the time of the firm’s spectacular Lehman-like collapse in February 1855. He ran the Freeman & Co. Express until November 1859, then sold out to Wells Fargo & Co. The supply of 10c embossed envelopes bearing Freeman & Co.’s bright green frank was overprinted with the Wells Fargo & Co. red frank in two directions. Some of these were used to send letters by Pony Express. To date there are eight examples recorded in the FKW census, evenly divided between $2.00 and $1.00 Horse-and-Rider stamp frankings; the FKW numbers are E97, E104, E106, E107, E111, E116, E121 and E124.

FKW Census E111. Ex Dale-Lichtenstein (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

E. $ 15,000-20,000

SOLD for $26,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
49 c ImageWells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $1.00 Red (143L3). Position R8, large to clear margins except slightly in at top right, bright color, tied by light but mostly readable strike of blue "Pony Express San Francisco Jul. 24" (1861) Running Pony oval datestamp on 10c Green on Buff Star Die Entire (U32) with red Wells, Fargo & Co. printed frank, to Robert E. Dietz at New York City street address, clearly struck "St. Joseph Mo. Aug. 5" circular datestamp, embossed stamp cancelled by target, edgewear expertly improved and sharpened

VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL PONY EXPRESS COVER WITH THE $1.00 RED STAMP ISSUED BY WELLS, FARGO & COMPANY FOR THE OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT CONTRACT PERIOD BEGINNING IN JULY 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, which is represented by the printed frank on this entire. The contract also stipulated the mandatory U.S. postage charge of 10c per half ounce. This cover beautifully combines all three postage elements and was carried on the fourth eastbound Pony Express trip after the new rates and stamps were introduced. 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.

The addressee, Robert E. Dietz, manufactured lanterns and related products. His firm, Dietz & Co., supplied mining camps in California. The following information and image shown at right are reproduced from The Kerosene Lantern website ( http://www.classiclantern.com ):

Robert Edwin Dietz was born on January 5, 1818, in New York City. In 1840 Dietz used his savings to purchase a small oil lamp business in Brooklyn. The R. E. Dietz Company sold sperm oil, whale oil, camphene (distilled turpentine), glass lamps, candle sticks, and a few dead flame lanterns. Coal oil (kerosene) was first distilled in quantity from coal in 1856 and Robert Dietz had a ready market for a cheap, bright burning fuel. Dietz was awarded a patent for a burner specially designed to burn the new oil. After Edwin Drake produced the first commercially successful oil well in 1859, the stage was set for an even cheaper source of kerosene.

During the 1860s, Civil War contracts, Robert’s hard work, growth of railroads, and westward expansion made the lamp business a huge success. After the war ended, the cost of kerosene came down to a level where Dietz could sell lamps and lanterns to people who were still using candles.

In 1868, Robert Dietz began to produce and sell a new tubular lantern patented by John Irwin. The lantern business continued to be good and, in 1887, a new factory was built on the corner of Greenwich and Laight streets in New York. In 1894, Dietz retired and left his sons Frederick and John in charge. Robert E. Dietz passed away on September 19, 1897, at the age of 79.”

FKW Census E123. With 1980 P.F. certificate (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

E. $ 15,000-20,000

SOLD for $16,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
50   ImageWells, Fargo & Co., Pony Express, $2.00 Green (143L4). Position 12, three large margins including part of adjoining stamp at bottom, full at top, rich color, blue San Francisco Running Pony oval datestamp

VERY FINE AND CHOICE. FEWER THAN TEN USED EXAMPLES OF THE $2.00 HORSE & RIDER SECOND ISSUE ARE REPORTED.

The $2.00 Green Second Issue is extremely scarce in used condition. Only two covers are recorded, and we have seen approximately eight genuinely cancelled stamps off cover.

Ex Twigg-Smith. With 1996 P.F. certificate. (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

E. $ 4,000-5,000

SOLD for $5,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
51   ImageWells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $4.00 Black (143L5). Position 9, full margins all around, cancelled by blue San Francisco "Running Pony" oval datestamp, faint ms. offset on back, tiny negligible scrape at top right

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF FIVE RECORDED USED EXAMPLES OF THE $4.00 BLACK PONY EXPRESS STAMP.

Only two covers with the $4.00 Black (Second Issue) are recorded, each worth in the mid six figures.

Ex Caspary. With 2005 P.F. certificate. (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

E. $ 4,000-5,000

SOLD for $9,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
52 c ImageWells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, ($1.00) Red Type II East-to-West Frank, 10c Green on Thin Hard White Entire (unlisted in Scott). Clearly struck New-York Oct. 12” (1861) circular datestamp and duplex grid cancel, printed address to the Agent of Pony Express, St. Joseph, Mo.” and handwritten address to Samuel Howard Gerrish, in care of Messrs. Steen & Austin, Market and Fremont Streets, San Francisco, partly clear strike of Pony Express, The Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company, St. Joseph, Mo. Oct. 17” large oval in circle datestamp applied before departure on October 17, receipt docketing "Received Oct. 29th 1861"

VERY FINE. ONE OF 21 RECORDED TYPE II EAST-TO-WEST PONY EXPRESS ENTIRES AND ONE OF THE LAST TRIPS BEFORE THE END OF THE PONY EXPRESS ERA.

In Rate Period 3, Wells Fargo & Co. introduced a special franked envelope for westbound mail, but its use was extremely limited. On July 1, 1861, the new contract rate went into effect. On August 12, 1861, Wells Fargo & Co. announced in the New York papers that Pony Express Envelopes” were Now ready and for sale at our office.” Although this announcement refers only to envelopes,” in fact both the franked entires and $1.00 adhesive stamps were put on sale in August 1861. The 1861 10c Pumpkin” entire with the Type II printed frank was ordered from George F. Nesbitt & Co. (New York) by the Overland Mail Company after they obtained approval for the design and imprint from the Postmaster General’s office. The earliest recorded Type II envelope is dated August 14, 1861, according to the FKW census.

Based on a newspaper article in the San Francisco Bulletin (September 13, 1861, at http://www.siegelauctions.com/2013/1038/20_SFB.jpg ), the Type II franked envelopes were problematic, because eastern post offices were sending them in the through” mail to San Francisco, instead of directing them to St. Joseph for the Pony Express. As a result, they would arrive by regular mail ten days after the Pony Express for which they were intended. This might explain why some examples of the Type II franks are found without a St. Joseph Pony Express handstamp. The presence of the St. Joseph datestamp and receipt docketing confirm that this was carried by Pony Express riders.

This October 12, 1861, cover was sent from New York City just as Civil War demonetization of the old stamp issue began and the new 1861 Issue was released. It entered the post office and was treated as regular mail until it reached the Wells, Fargo & Co. agent at St. Joseph. From there it made the October 17 westbound Pony trip to California. At Placerville, it was carried by Wells Fargo & Co. to San Francisco on September 29.

The addressee, Samuel Howard Gerrish, came from a prominent family in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He worked as a machinist before leaving for California. According to http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Gerrish-76 : "In 1860 he came to California with George A. Stoddard, leaving New York June 5, coming by the Panama route and arriving in San Francisco on the 28th. He began working for E. T. Steen and continued with him for a year and a half. For the next four years he was engineer on the United States dry dock in the Mare Island Navy Yard. Then he came to Sacramento and was employed by Goss & Lambard, proprietors of the Sacramento Iron Works. In May 1866, he was employed for the railroad company and ran the first engine for the Central Pacific shops, where he worked and made the first tools used."

The updated FKW census lists 21 examples of the Type II $1.00 frank, including some that have stamps added or have been extensively repaired.

FKW Census W65 (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

E. $ 20,000-30,000

SOLD for $32,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
53 c ImageWells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, ($1.00) Red Type II East-to-West Frank, 10c Green on Thin Hard White Entire (unlisted in Scott). Partly clear strike of red Boston Mass. Oct. 8” (1861) double-circle datestamp and black "Paid" in frame cancel, printed address to the Agent of Pony Express, St. Joseph, Mo.” and handwritten address to Dr. William Pitt, care of John Grant, P.O. Box 2694, San Francisco, partly clear strike of Pony Express, The Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company, St. Joseph, Mo. Oct. 13” large oval in circle datestamp applied before departure on October 13, lightly cleaned

VERY FINE. ONE OF 21 RECORDED TYPE II EAST-TO-WEST PONY EXPRESS ENTIRES AND ONE OF THE LAST TRIPS BEFORE THE END OF THE PONY EXPRESS ERA.

In Rate Period 3, Wells Fargo & Co. introduced a special franked envelope for westbound mail, but its use was extremely limited. On July 1, 1861, the new contract rate went into effect. On August 12, 1861, Wells Fargo & Co. announced in the New York papers that Pony Express Envelopes” were Now ready and for sale at our office.” Although this announcement refers only to envelopes,” in fact both the franked entires and $1.00 adhesive stamps were put on sale in August 1861. The 1861 10c Pumpkin” entire with the Type II printed frank was ordered from George F. Nesbitt & Co. (New York) by the Overland Mail Company after they obtained approval for the design and imprint from the Postmaster General’s office. The earliest recorded Type II envelope is dated August 14, 1861, according to the FKW census.

Based on a newspaper article in the San Francisco Bulletin (September 13, 1861, at http://www.siegelauctions.com/2013/1038/20_SFB.jpg ), the Type II franked envelopes were problematic, because eastern post offices were sending them in the through” mail to San Francisco, instead of directing them to St. Joseph for the Pony Express. As a result, they would arrive by regular mail ten days after the Pony Express for which they were intended. This might explain why some examples of the Type II franks are found without a St. Joseph Pony Express handstamp. The presence of the St. Joseph datestamp and receipt docketing confirm that this was carried by Pony Express riders.

This October 8, 1861, cover was sent from Boston just as Civil War demonetization of the old stamp issue began and the new 1861 Issue was released. It entered the post office and was treated as regular mail until it reached the Wells, Fargo & Co. agent at St. Joseph. From there it made the October 13 westbound Pony trip to California. At Placerville, it was carried by Wells Fargo & Co. to San Francisco on October 25.

The updated FKW census lists 21 examples of the Type II $1.00 frank, including some that have stamps added or have been extensively repaired. The census lists four Pony Express covers from Massachusetts: one from Cambridge (W54), this single-rate from Boston (W63), a double-rate cover from Boston with the Garter stamp (W68) and the quadruple-rate cover from Boston (no datestamp) with a strip of four Garter stamps (W64). For all practical purposes, this is the only representative example of a basic Pony Express cover from Boston.

FKW Census W63 (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

E. $ 20,000-30,000

SOLD for $28,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
54 c ImageAlta California Telegraph Company. Imprint and illustrated woodcut of Zeus throwing lightning bolts (Wade imprint) on buff cover to Mokelumne Hill with original message form on printed letterhead, datelined San Francisco, July 30, 1859, Extremely Fine, immaculate condition, the Alta California Telegraph office is where the Pony Express had it home base in San Francisco (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

E. $ 400-500

SOLD for $1,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
55 c ImageMilton S. Latham and William M. Gwin. Two covers, first free frank Milton S. Latham, U.S.S” as Senator, partly struck Washington D.C. Jan. 4, 1863” circular datestamp on cover to Capt. George Wallace in San Francisco, sender’s directive Overland”, with 5-page autograph letter signed, interesting content regarding Generals Meigs and Halleck, efforts to transfer Capt. Wallace to the East instead of Salt Lake City and a remark about Abolutionist proclivities” of Lincoln’s administration, Very Fine, Senator Latham was a proponent of the Pony Express, other cover free frank Free W. M. Gwin, U.S. Senate” to Athens Ga., slight edgewear, Fine, Senator Gwin is credited with encouraging William H. Russell to launch the Pony Express, an idea given to him by Benjamin F. Ficklin (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

E. $ 400-500

SOLD for $1,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
56 c ImageNews by Pony Express. 10c Green, Ty. V (35), wide margins, cancelled by unusual grid of dots, "Long Bar Cal. Apr. 29" circular datestamp on buff 1861 cover to Georgia Plain Vt., with original 1861-dated contents which includes "we got the news hear of the fuss at Sumter in about 10 days after it happen. We get poney news from the states 2 and 3 times a week it crosses in 8 days so you see we know what is going on there about as soon as you do", slightly reduced at right, Very Fine, an attractive cover with rare mention of the Pony Express (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

E. $ 300-400

SOLD for $475.00
Will close during Public Auction

Previous Page, Next Page or Return to Table of Contents


StampAuctionCentral and StampAuctionNetwork are
Copyright © 1994-2022 Droege Computing Services, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
Mailing Address: 20 West Colony Place
Suite 120, Durham NC 27705
Back to Top of Page