Carnes' City Letter Express, San Francisco, (5c) Rose (35L1). Large margins, tied by needle-point grid that pierces the paper, affixed over red "City Letter/Carnes/Express" double-line oval handstamp on yellow cover to local shipping house, with original letter dated Feb. 17, 1865, tiny nick at top left

EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF TWO COVERS KNOWN TO US WITH CARNES CITY LETTER EXPRESS STAMP USED DURING HIS OWNERSHIP OF THE POST.

As noted in the previous description, beginning in early 1865, George A. Carnes operated the Carnes City Letter Express in San Francisco. Among his competitors was the California City Letter Express operated by Hoag & Madison and the San Francisco Letter Express, which used the distinctive oval Horse & Rider handstamp. Sometime in 1865, Carnes acquired or took over the San Francisco Letter Express and changed its name to Carnes San Francisco Letter Express. This cover was mailed in February 1865, which is an early Carnes usage. The red oval marking beneath the stamp (as well as the stamp itself) is inscribed "Carnes City Letter Express." In late 1866 Carnes sold out to William E. Loomis, from which point the supply of 35L1 was used while new stamps were printed with the Carnes name removed (Scott 98L1). We know of one other cover with 35L1 used under Carnes's ownership. It was sold in our 1996 Rarities sale for $29,000 hammer. The Knapp collection contained a cover with 35L1 tied by a blue dotted grid, which is believed to have been a Loomis cancel, and there is a 35L1 cover in the P.F. records with the stamp tied by a "Paid" straightline (possibly by Loomis).

Ex Worthington, Caspary, Boker and Richardson. With 1987 P.F. certificate.

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