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United States and Confederate States Postal History continued...

Trans-Continental Pony Express
Lot Sym. Lot Description  
2076 c Image10c Green, Ty. V (35). Tied by target cancel applied on arrival in St. Joseph, bold strike of "Pony Express San Francisco Sep. 29" (1860) blue Running Pony oval datestamp, manuscript "Per Pony Express Sep 29 '60" directive at top of blue cover to Eugene Kelly at Fulton Street address in New York City, manuscript "1/4" (quarter ounce, $2.50 express charge), carried on the eastbound trip that left San Francisco on September 29, 1860, and arrived at St. Joseph on October 10, bold strike of "The Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company, St. Joseph, Mo. Oct. 10" oval datestamp which ties corner of stamp, "Saint Joseph Mo. Oct. 11" double-circle datestamp struck upon entering the mails to New York, half of back replaced along with small part of top right corner of cover, small portion of Running Pony marking drawn in, some slight staining

FINE APPEARANCE. A DESIRABLE EXAMPLE OF EASTBOUND PONY EXPRESS MAIL WITH ALL MARKINGS CLEARLY STRUCK AND A 10-CENT 1859 ISSUE FRANKING.

FKW Census E22. Trip ET-35. Illustrated in Ashbrook's Special Service on p. 274. Ex Krug and Walske. Signed Ashbrook. With 2006 P.F. certificate (Image)

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 E. $ 15,000-20,000

CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction
2077 c ImagePony Express, St. Joseph, Aug. 30 (1860). Mostly clear strike of Carmine Running Pony oval datestamp struck on back of cover, manuscript "Placerville Cal. Aug. 19" postmark and "Paid $2.50" in same hand on 10c Green on Buff Nesbitt entire (U16) to Fredonia N.Y., "Saint Joseph Mo. Aug. 31, 1860" circular datestamp struck upon entering the mails, expertly restored around edges with some paper extension at left, but the back with the Carmine Running Pony handstamp is original

FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF TEN RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE RUNNING PONY HANDSTAMP STRUCK IN CARMINE.

The St. Joseph Running Pony handstamp was normally struck in black. The Frajola-Kramer-Walske census records ten covers with this marking struck in the distinctive Carmine color. They are dated from August 12 to September 13, 1860, and all but two are struck on the backs of the covers. Six are eastbound trips. This cover was picked up as way mail along the route at the Placerville station and carried on the eastbound trip that left San Francisco on August 18, 1860, arriving in St. Joseph on August 30.

FKW Census E14. Trip ET-23. Ex Walske. With 1966 P.F. certificate (Image)

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 E. $ 10,000-15,000

CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction
2078 c ImageThe Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company, San Francisco, Cal. Oct. 31 (1860). Blue oval datestamp struck over indicia of 10c Green on Buff Nesbitt entire (U16) to Henry Beers in New York City, manuscript "Per Pony Express" directive at top and "1/4" (quarter ounce, $2.50 express charge), clear strike of "The Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company, St. Joseph, Mo. Nov. 12" oval datestamp struck on arrival, "Saint Joseph Mo. Nov. 13" double-circle datestamp struck upon entering the mails to New York, missing backflap from rough opening and small repair at top

A FINE APPEARING EASTBOUND PONY EXPRESS COVER, CARRIED IN NOVEMBER 1860, THE MONTH LINCOLN WAS ELECTED AND THE NATION MOVED CLOSER TO CIVIL WAR.

This cover was carried on the Pony Express trip from San Francisco that left on October 31, 1860, and arrived in St. Joseph on November 12. While en route, six days before arrival in St. Joseph, Abraham Lincoln was elected president.

FKW Census E34. Trip ET-44. Ex Dale-Lichtenstein and Walske (Image)

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 E. $ 4,000-5,000

CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction
2079 c ImagePony Express San Francisco Dec. 26 (1860). Blurry strike of blue Running Pony oval datestamp on 10c Green on White Nesbitt entire (U15) to Henry Beers in New York City, manuscript "Pony Express" directive at top and "1/4" (quarter ounce, $2.50 express charge), carried on 15-day winter trip that left San Francisco on December 26, 1860, and arrived in St. Joseph on January 10, 1861, backstamped "Pony Express, The Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company, St. Joseph Mo. Jan. 10" in green, "St. Joseph Mo. Jan. 12" double-circle datestamp struck upon entering mails to New York, pencil receipt docketing of January 14, backflap removed from rough opening which also tore off small portion of top, affecting the markings on front and back, a presentable Pony Express cover with the San Francisco Running Pony oval, FKW Census E50. Trip ET-60. Ex Walske (Image)

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 E. $ 1,500-2,000

CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction
2080 c Image"Pony Express". Manuscript notation on blue folded letter datelined at San Francisco on October 27, 1860, addressed to Bordeaux, France, carried by Pony Express under cover (so no express markings) to St. Joseph on the trip that departed San Francisco October 27 and arrived St. Joseph November 8, carried to New York to forwarder Hargous & Co. (oval forwarder's handstamp) and entered mails with "New York 3 Nov. 13" debit datestamp, sailed on the Cunarder Europa, departing Boston November 14, 1860 and arriving Queenstown November 25, "8" decimes due in France

VERY FINE. AN OUSTANDING COVER FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO FRANCE, CARRIED UNDER COVER BY THE PONY EXPRESS FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO ST. JOSEPH, MISSOURI.

Trip ET-43. Ex Walske (Image)

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 E. $ 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $4,250.00
Will close during Public Auction
2081 c ImagePony Express, The Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company, St. Joseph, Mo. Aug. 8 (1861). Large oval within circle datestamp on cover with "M. S. Latham U.S.S." free frank and his directive "Pony Express", to George Wallace, secretary to Governor Downey of California, at Sacramento -- pencil forwarding to San Francisco -- with letter datelined "Washington D.C. 31st July, 1861" from a military officer applying for appointment as lieutenant-colonel to organize a regiment to protect the overland mail route against Confederate forces, carried on the Pony Express trip that left St. Joseph on August 8, 1861, arriving San Francisco August 19.

VERY FINE COVER WITH A CLEAR STRIKE OF THE ST. JOSEPH SPECIAL PONY EXPRESS” DATESTAMP AND FREE FRANK OF SENATOR MILTON LATHAM. ONE OF SIX RECORDED PONY EXPRESS COVERS FRANKED BY LATHAM AND A FASCINATING MILITARY AND OVERLAND MAIL ROUTE CONNECTION DURING THE EARLY MONTHS OF THE CIVIL WAR.

The letter states (in part): "I think I can safely assert California will soon be called upon for a Brigade of 5000 men, to proceed to Texas, via the Gadsend Purchase (Arizona) [sic] to reestablish the authority and laws of the U.S. & to occupy that State...it is the Lieut. Colonelcy of the Regiment to protect the overland route I want. I do not wish to go to Texas."

Senator Milton S. Latham went to California in 1850 and was elected to Congress on the 1852 Democratic ticket. After his term expired, he declined to run for re-election and served as collector for the port of San Francisco. In 1859 he was elected governor, but he resigned five days after taking office to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant when Senator David C. Broderick was killed in a duel. The addressee, George Wallace, was secretary to California governor, John Downey.

Senator Latham was a friend of William H. Russell, the Central Overland California & Pike’s Peak Express Co. president, and a strong supporter of COC&PP in their effort to secure the contract for the Central Route. He was among the few individuals later permitted to send Pony Express letters free of charge. In this case Senator Latham’s free frank applied to the $1.00 Pony Express rate, Wells, Fargo & Co.’s 10c charge for service between Placerville and San Francisco, and 10c U.S. postage (for a total of $1.20). There are 15 recorded Pony Express covers with any form of free frank for postage or express charges. Of these, six are signed by Latham (FKW E94, W3, W5, W7, W48 and W62). The eastbound cover (E94) has the San Francisco Running Pony oval. Three of the westbound Latham covers have the St. Joseph Running Pony oval (W3, W5 and W7), and two have the oval within circle datestamp (W48 and W62).

FKW Census W48. Trip WT-129. Ex Hall and Walske. With 2001 P.F. certificate (Image)

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 E. $ 15,000-20,000

CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction
2082 c ImagePony Express St. Joseph Sep. 27 (1860). Beautifully clear strike of Running Pony oval datestamp, red "California Pony Express Paid" oval struck over indicia of 3c Red on Buff Star Die entire (U27) originating in New York City and addressed to Crosby & Dibblee in San Francisco, manuscript "Pony Express Paid" with faint pencil "5.00" for double rate

VERY FINE. A WONDERFULLY CHOICE WESTBOUND PONY EXPRESS COVER WITH A CLEAR STRIKE OF THE ST. JOSEPH RUNNING PONY OVAL.

This cover, originating in New York City, was carried on the westbound trip that left St. Joseph on September 27, 1860, and arrived in San Francisco on October 7. It demonstrates the under-3,000 miles "loophole" that allowed westbound mail to be sent in bundles from the East Coast to St. Joseph by mail with only 3c U.S. postage. This loophole was closed by the Act of February 27, 1861, which eliminated the mileage provision and required 10c on any letter crossing the Rocky Mountains.

Crosby & Dibblee was a large shipping firm that operated in San Francisco from 1852 to 1862. Charles W. Crosby and Albert Dibblee both arrived in San Francisco in 1850. Crosby had worked as a dry goods clerk in Boston. After accumulating a fortune in California, he moved to New York City in the 1860s. Albert Dibblee was born in upstate New York and worked for the State Bank of New York before emigrating to California in 1850. In addition to his business activities, Dibblee was a member of the Vigilance Committee of 1856.

FKW Census W15. Trip WT-39. Ex Dale-Lichtenstein and Walske (Image)

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 E. $ 30,000-40,000

CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction
2083 c ImageThe Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company, St. Joseph, Mo. Oct. 11 (1860). Clear strike of oval datestamp, red "California Pony Express Paid" oval struck over indicia of 3c Red on Buff Star Die entire (U27) originating in New York City and addressed to Crosby & Dibblee in San Francisco, manuscript "Pony Express Paid" with pencil "5.00" for double rate, expert repair at top

VERY FINE APPEARING WESTBOUND PONY EXPRESS COVER AND RARE USE OF 3-CENT STAR DIE ENTIRE.

This cover, originating in New York City, was carried on the westbound trip that left St. Joseph on October 11, 1860, and arrived in San Francisco on October 21. It demonstrates the under-3,000 miles "loophole" that allowed westbound mail to be sent in bundles from the East Coast to St. Joseph by mail with only 3c U.S. postage. This loophole was closed by the Act of February 27, 1861, which eliminated the mileage provision and required 10c on any letter crossing the Rocky Mountains.

Crosby & Dibblee was a large shipping firm that operated in San Francisco from 1852 to 1862. Charles W. Crosby and Albert Dibblee both arrived in San Francisco in 1850. Crosby had worked as a dry goods clerk in Boston. After accumulating a fortune in California, he moved to New York City in the 1860s. Albert Dibblee was born in upstate New York and worked for the State Bank of New York before emigrating to California in 1850. In addition to his business activities, Dibblee was a member of the Vigilance Committee of 1856.

FKW Census W18. Trip WT-43. Ex Walske (Image)

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 E. $ 5,000-7,500

SOLD for $4,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
2084 c ImageWells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $2.00 Red (143L1). Large margins to clear, light pre-use diagonal creasing and tiny tear, tied by blue "Pony Express San Francisco May 11" (1861) Running Pony oval handstamp on 10c Green on Buff Star Die entire (U33) to Dr. M.J. Pimentel in Boston Mass., blue "PAID" in oval handstamp, green "St. Joseph Mo. May 24" circular datestamp also ties stamp, missing backflap

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE $2.00 PONY EXPRESS STAMP TIED BY THE BLUE SAN FRANCISCO RUNNING PONY OVAL ON AN EASTBOUND COVER.

This cover was carried on the Saturday, May 11, 1861, trip from San Francisco, which arrived at St. Joseph on May 23. When Phase II (Interim Phase) started on April 1, 1861, the rate for a Pony Express letter was substantially reduced to $2 per half-ounce, down from the $5 per half-ounce or $2.50 per quarter-ounce rates in effect during the previous year. At the same time, the new agents--Wells, Fargo & Company--had special stamps and envelopes printed for use on Pony Express letters. The $2 rate was in effect for a brief period, from April 1 to June 30, 1861. The FKW census records 37 $2.00 Red covers.

The $2 and $4 were printed in sheets of 20 (5 wide by 4 high). Rather than build up the printing stone from intermediate transfer groups or from a primary matrix containing the denomination, the printers used a blank matrix to enter each subject on the stone for each value. This required a total of 40 transfers (20 for each value). The denomination (shaded numerals "2" and "4") then had to be individually transferred to each subject on both stones, thus requiring another 40 separate transfers. It seems incredible that experienced lithographers such as Britton & Rey did not simplify the process by using intermediate transfers. Based on the fact that the $2 and $4 of the July 1861 issue (in Green and Black) were printed from the same stones as the April 1861 issue, it is certain that the printers had retained the two original stones. Lithographic stones were usually re-used by erasing the image and repolishing the surface, but in the case of the Pony Express stones, they were evidently preserved for future printings.

FKW Census E74. Trip ET-99. Ex Walske. With 1980 P.F. certificate (Image)

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 E. $ 20,000-30,000

CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction
2085 c Image"Express Business, Free, Jos. Roberson"--Pony Express Free Frank (July 10, 1861). Free frank and endorsement by Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Co. agent Joseph Roberson to Nat Stein at the COC&PPE office at St. Joseph Mo., endorsed "Pony Express" on cover front with backflap, original letter datelined "Fort Bridger July 10, 1861", letter states (in part): "I am now in the first regular Overland" (first daily overland stage from California), also "I forgot to tell you that two of the cuts of the Stage Coach and two of the pony were at the West office. Please get them for fear the job office may be confiscated.", cover with minor cosmetic edge improvements

VERY FINE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE PONY EXPRESS COVER, FREE FRANKED BY JOSPEH ROBERSON, WITH ORIGINAL CONTENTS AND CARRIED AS A WAY LETTER ON AN EASTBOUND PONY TRIP IN JULY 1861.

This was picked up at Fort Bridger by the Pony Express trip that left San Francisco on July 3, 1861, and arrived at St. Joseph on July 15. This was the first trip of the fourth rate period, though the rate was immaterial in this case since it was free franked. Pony Express letters on company business and from U.S. senators were carried free of any express or postal charges.

Joseph Roberson was born in Missouri about 1840, lived in Tennessee and was a pioneer expressman. He was head clerk for Pony Express founders Russell, Majors and Waddell, and when this letter was written he was agent for the Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company. He was subsequently an officer with Wells, Fargo & Co. His wife, Emily, nee Lofland, wrote a manuscript titled History of the Pony Express, which was published in the San Francisco newspaper California Spirit of the Times in 1879. Mrs. Roberson lived until 1943.

FKW Census EX1 (listed without known date as the letter that accompanies was not reunited with the cover until after the book was published). Trip ET-114.

Cover is ex Dr. Robertson and Walske (Image)

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 E. $ 10,000-15,000

CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction
2086 c ImageWells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $1.00 Red (143L3). Ample margins to slightly in at bottom, deep rich color, tied by blue "Pony Express San Francisco Aug. 3" (1861) Running Pony oval datestamp on 10c Green on Buff Star Die entire (U33) with Wells, Fargo & Co. red printed frank, addressed to Westfield Mass., entered regular mails with "New-York Aug. 18" circular datestamp, forwarded to Saratoga Springs N.Y. with 3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26), grid cancel and "Westfield Ms. Aug. 20, 1861" circular datestamp, manuscript July 21 receipt on back, inconsequential horizontal file bend does not affect stamps or markings

EXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING EASTBOUND PONY EXPRESS COVER WITH THE $1.00 RED HORSE & RIDER STAMP AND 3-CENT 1857 ISSUE FOR FORWARDING POSTAGE, IN EXCEPTIONALLY CHOICE CONDITION.

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 red printed frank on this entire. The contract also stipulated the mandatory U.S. postage charge of 10c per half ounce. This cover combines all three postage elements plus the additional element of a 3c 1857 stamp for forwarding postage. It was carried on the August 3, 1861 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.

FKW Census E133. Trip ET-123. Ex Dale-Lichtenstein and Walske. With 2006 P.F. certificate (Image)

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 E. $ 30,000-40,000

SOLD for $30,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

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