| A |
1410 |
Penny Express Co. (Holladay
Overland Mail & Express Co.), 5c Black (114L1a). Complete sheet of 32,
each stamp initialled "HR" by Henry Reed, full sheet margins,
original gum, a few faint toned spots, several creasesEXTREMELY FINE
APPEARANCE. THE ONLY RECORDED PENNY EXPRESS COMPANY SHEET WITH REED'S
INITIALS -- THESE ARE ALL OF THE INITIALLED STAMPS THAT ARE KNOWN. The
"Penny Express" stamps were issued in 1866 by Henry Reed of the Holladay
Overland Mail and Express Co., which in 1867 became part of Wells, Fargo &
Company. One of the entries from Henry Reed's journal, published by Henry
C. Needham in his American Philatelist series (Apr. 1920), makes
reference to the stamps: (excerpt from entry datelined Salt Lake City, June
26, 1866) "Charge yourself ten cents for the red stamps instead of twenty
cts. as first verbally instructed by me." Although the numeral "5" appears
on both the Red and Blue stamps (114L2 and 114L3), as well as the Black,
Reed's instructions and advertisements indicate that the standard letter
rate was 10c up to a half ounce, and 10c for each additional half-ounce. No
used examples of the adhesives are known, and it appears that the printed
envelopes were used for Holladay's express, perhaps because the "5"
denomination of the stamps caused confusion. Several sheets of Red and Blue
stamps, without gum, reached the stamp market. However, only this one sheet
of Black stamps with Reed's initials and original gum is known. Ex
Chapman and Middendorf. (Image) |
E. 5,000-7,500 |