9th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Sale 958 — 2008 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 7 June, 2008
Category — Carriers and Locals
Honour's City Post, Charleston S.C., 2c Black on Bluish (4LB8). Positions 7-8 and 9, horizontal pair and single (from position below left stamp in pair), ms. cancel in pencil, used on large lace Valentine cover to local addressee, stamps have small faults, addressee's name changed slightlyVERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONLY THREE VALENTINES BEARING A MULTIPLE OF THE HONOUR'S 4LB8 STAMP ARE RECORDED. AN OUTSTANDING CARRIER USAGE.
Ex Caspary, Boker, Golden and D.K. Collection. With 2000 P.F. certificate.
Honour's City Post, Charleston S.C., 2c Black on Bluish (4LB8). Position 9 with missing pearl at right, also showing damaged pearl at lower left, bottom left corner sheet margins, other sides huge with parts of adjoining stamps, uncancelled, used on cover to local street address with original Valentine enclosure, one side flap missingEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE MISSING PEARL VARIETY -- PROBABLY THE FINEST IN EXISTENCE.
Stamps printed from Position 9 on the Honour's 4LB8 setting usually show the complete pearl at upper right and normal pearl at lower left. Examples with the upper right pearl partly printed or completely missing are rare. However, all examples of the Kingman's four-line stamp (4LB15) from Position 9 are missing the upper right pearl and show the damaged pearl at lower left (see lot 19 for strip of three). Our theory is that the upper right pearl gradually disappeared from the Honour's setting prior to substitution of "Kingman's" for "Honour's". The pearl slug may have been damaged or fell beneath the other slugs and failed to print. Given the rarity of Honour's 4LB8 Missing Pearl stamps, it seems that very few were printed from the defective setting before conversion to the Kingman's name. It is also likely that the setting was changed back to "Honour's" for further printings, at which point Position 9 was fixed.
Ex Hall and D.K. Collection. With 2001 P.F. certificate.
Kingman's City Post, Charleston S.C., 2c Black on Bluish (4LB15). Vertical strip of three, Positions 5/7/9 according to our plating analysis, bottom stamp shows missing pearl at right and small "A" in "Kingman's", ample margins almost all around, just touched at bottom right, uncancelled, paying 6c carrier fee on 8 x 10 in. embossed Valentine cover to local street address, one backflap removed, scattered toned spots and very faint gum toning on strip, small tear at top left of coverVERY FINE. ONE OF THE GREATEST OF ALL CARRIER COVERS, BEARING THE LARGEST KNOWN MULTIPLE OF KINGMAN'S FOUR-LINE STAMP.
Eliab J. Kingman was Dr. John H. Honour's brother-in-law and served as the first assistant in Honour's Penny Post from its inception in 1849. It is reported that sometime in 1851, Kingman received his own appointment as a government carrier and divided the city's routes with Dr. Honour. According to the Faber account (Pat Paragraphs, 1981 Reprint, pp. 247-248), Kingman retired in March 1858 and was replaced by Joseph G. Martin, a relative to the Honour family through marriage.
The Scott listings for the two Kingman's stamps are out of chronological sequence. The four-line type, 4LB15, preceded the three-line type, 4LB14, by at least three or four years. The four-line stamp is also considerably rarer, with a total of just 15 recorded stamps. Because the basic form used for Honour's 4LB8 was used to print Kingman's 4LB15 stamp, it is possible to reconstruct the Kingman's setting. When the name "Kingman's" was inserted, some border pearls were repositioned, but there are still enough unique features belonging to the different positions to enable us to assign the 15 recorded stamps to 8 of the 10 positions in the Kingman's setting.
The fifteen 4LB15 stamps (including erased "Kingman's" variety) contained in our census are listed here (positions identified according to our plating analysis): 1-3) vertical strip of three [Pos. 5/7/9] on Valentine cover (no date), ex Caspary, Boker, Golden (realized $20,000), D.K. Collection, the cover offered here; 4-5) vertical pair [Pos. 6/8], uncancelled on cover front, ex Chapman, Caspary, Boker; 6) pen-cancelled [Pos. 3], tied by Dec. 11 circular datestamp on cover to Spartanburg, ex Boker; 7) uncancelled on piece or cover [Pos. 5], Costales photo file; 8) "Kingman's" scratched out [Pos. 1], corner margins, tied by ms. on inbound cover from Raleigh N.C., Jul. (or Jun.) 22, 1857, ex Hessel, Golden (realized $3,000); 9) pen-cancelled [Pos. 8] on piece, ex Caspary, Hall; 10) pen-cancelled [Pos. 9, missing pearl at right] on piece, ex Caspary, Richardson, Sheriff; 11) pencil cancel [Pos. 4] on piece, ex Middendorf; 12) uncancelled [Pos. 9, missing pearl at right], ex Ferrary, Caspary, Hall; 13) uncancelled [Pos. 3], Costales photo file; and 14-15) horizontal pair [Pos. 3-4], ex Hall (realized $6,000).
From the census it can be determined that there are only three confirmed 4LB15 covers (excluding the erased-name variety): one is this Valentine with the unique strip of three (Nos. 1-3 on census list); the second is the single tied by a Charleston Dec. 11 circular datestamp (No. 6 on list); and the third is the pair on the Valentine cover (Nos. 14-15 on list). The pair on a cover front (or piece, Nos. 4-5 on list) is the only other known multiple.
There is no question that this strip of the Kingman four-line stamp, used on a Valentine, is the most important of all Kingman's carrier items, and, in our opinion, it ranks very close to the unique Beckman's City Post cover in significance among Charleston carrier issues.
Ex Caspary, Golden and D.K. Collection. Note on back "9/28/14 St. Louis St. & C. Co. DNN". With 2000 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail for the strip off-cover is $25,000.00.
Kingman's City Post, Charleston S.C., 2c Black on Bluish (4LB1). Vertical pair, from the left side of the sheet with parts of adjoining stamps above and at right, large margin at left and just touched at bottom, tied by ms. cancel (pair has been lifted and reaffixed in a slightly different position), used on embossed Valentine cover to "Miss Bessie McKenzie, Rutledge St. above Bull St.", with original Valentine enclosureVERY FINE. THE ONLY RECORDED MULTIPLE OF THE KINGMAN'S THREE-LINE STAMP. A MAGNIFICENT RARITY.
Ex Hall and D.K. Collection. With 2001 P.F. certificate.
Martin's City Post, Charleston S.C., 2c Black on Bluish (4LB16). Type D, unused (no gum), huge margins all around, fresh and completely soundEXTREMELY FINE. THE FINEST OF THE FOUR RECORDED EXAMPLES OF MARTIN'S CARRIER STAMP.
According to Faber's account (Pat Paragraphs, 1981 Reprint, pp. 247-248), Joseph G. Martin took over from E. J. Kingman after Kingman retired in March 1858. Martin served until retirement in 1861, but the extreme rarity of the stamps bearing his name suggests that they were not widely used. They were probably printed in 1858. We record just four stamps, all unused, listed as follows (different types are identified with letters): 1) Type A, tiny thin, ex Caspary, Lilly, Boker, Golden; 2) Type B, slight thins, ex Ferrary, Caspary, Hall (realized $7,500); 3) Type C, margins cut in, slight faults, ex Caspary, Middendorf; and 4) Type D, sound, ex Hessel, Golden (realized $7,000), D.K. the stamp offered here. Based only on soundness, this stamp is the finest extant.
Ex Hessel, Golden and D.K. Collection. With 1975 and 2000 P.F. certificates.
Steinmeyer's City Post, Charleston S.C., 2c Black on Bluish (4LB19). Position 4, unused (no gum), none of the translucent staining that affects this issueA FINE AND ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THIS CARRIER RARITY, OF WHICH FIVE OR SIX ARE KNOWN.
Ex Caspary, Golden and D.K. Collection. With 2000 P.F. certificate.
Steinmeyer's City Post, Charleston S.C., 2c Black on Pink (4LB20). Complete pane of ten, original gum, Mint N.H. except for bottom right stamp, signed by J. F. Steinmeyer Jr. in bottom marginEXTREMELY FINE. A GREAT RARITY IN SHEET FORM, AND ONE OF THE FEW SIGNED BY STEINMEYER.
Ex Lilly, Golden and D.K. Collection. With 2000 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $2,250.00 as an unsigned pane (footnote attributes 50% premium to signature).
Steinmeyer's City Post, Charleston S.C., 2c Black on Yellow (4LB21). Complete pane of ten, unused (no gum), signed by J. F. Steinmeyer Jr. in bottom margin, Pos. 5 has tiny paper flawsEXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING EXHIBITION ITEM AND ONE OF THE FEW SHEETS IN EXISTENCE.
There probably no more than four or five complete sheets of 4LB21. Ex Golden and D.K. Collection. With 2000 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $2,250.00 as an unsigned pane (footnote attributes 50% premium to signature).
U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Blue Green Glazed (6LB5). Five singles incl. four overlapped, tied by orange-red "U.S." octagonal handstamps, matching "New-York Nov. 1" circular datestamp on folded letter to Pleasant Valley N.Y., blue ms. "12/" rate, expertly restored horizontal fold affects four stampsVERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF EIGHT RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE U.S. CITY DESPATCH POST CARRIER STAMP USED TO PREPAY INTER-CITY POSTAGE. AN OUTSTANDING POSTAL HISTORY ITEM.
This cover and seven other similar examples mark the beginning of prepayment of inter-city postage by adhesive stamps in the Western hemisphere. In each case, the United States City Despatch Post stamps prepaid the regular postage and carrier fee for delivery to the New York City post office, where the letters were marked "Paid" in full.
Our records contain eight inter-city covers with full prepayment, including one front and one with a stamp missing (listed chronologically by New York postmark date): 1) May 25 datestamp, 1843 folded letter to Henry Morris, Philadelphia, strip of 3 + pair, ex Caspary, Middendorf, Kapiloff, Siegel 1995 Rarities sale (realized $37,500); 2) May 30 datestamp (1843), folded cover to F. Packard, Philadelphia, 2 pairs + 1, ex Caspary, Pope, Kapiloff, Siegel 1995 Rarities sale (realized $42,500) and Kuphal (Siegel Sale 925, lot 1218, realized $50,000); 3) Jun. 16 datestamp, 1843 folded letter to Henry Morris, Philadelphia, strip of 4 + 1, ex Caspary, Hall (Siegel Sale 830, lot 144, realized $32,500 hammer), Gordon N. John (Siegel Sale 868, lot 2015, realized $42,500 hammer); 4) Jul. 5 datestamp, 1843 folded letter to Henry Morris, Philadelphia, strip of 5, ex Caspary, Middendorf (1990 private treaty sale at $30,000); 5) Aug. 23 datestamp, 1843 folded letter to Henry Morris, Philadelphia, 4 singles (1 missing), ex Seybold, Hall (Siegel Sale 830); 6) Nov. 1 datestamp, 1843 folded letter to Julia Welling, Pleasant Valley N.Y., 5 singles, creased and restored, from a recent find, the cover offered here; 7) Oct. 18 datestamp (1844), folded cover to Dr. Wheeler, Athens N.Y., strip of 3 + 1, ex Caspary, Hall, Gordon N. John (Siegel Sale 868, lot 2015, realized $42,500 hammer); and 8) Jun. 13 (ca. 1845), front only to Lewis Riley, Ridgefield Conn., ex Caspary, Middendorf, Kapiloff, Siegel 1995 Rarities sale. Three of the covers have stamps on Blue paper (6LB5b) from the later printing. The others are Green or Blue Green (1843 printings).
U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Green Glazed (6LB5d). Four, Positions 2, 8, 9 and 14R, large margins to slightly in, three stamps small faults, tied by red "U.S." in frame cancels and red "New-York Aug. 23" circular datestamp, matching "Paid" arc and blue ms. "12½" on 1843 folded letter to Philadelphia, sender's endorsement "paid single", one stamp at the right has fallen off, leaving a blind impression of the "U.S." in frame cancel, Very Fine appearance, an extremely rare example of the United States City Despatch carrier issue used to prepay inter-city postage (eight known), ex Seybold and Hall, with 2004 P.F. certificate
Northern Liberties News Rooms, Sub Post Office. Type I circular mark impressed at lower left on folded cover to Miss Mary Evans at Kimberton Boarding School in Chester Co. Pa., faint red "Phila. 4 Jan.(?)" in octagonal frame, ms. "6" due rate, professionally cleaned and repaired along edges and file fold (minor cosmetic improvements with nothing added)FINE. ONE OF 12-14 RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE NORTHERN LIBERTIES NEWS ROOMS MARKING, WHICH WAS APPLIED TO MAIL HANDLED BY THE SUB POST OFFICE OPERATED BY ANDREW McMAKIN.
Prior to 1854, the Northern Liberties area (north of Vine Street) was outside Philadelphia's city limits. Carriers were used to transport mail between outlying areas and the main post office in Philadelphia. The term Sub Post Office refers to a location where letters could be deposited for delivery to the main post office. The Northern Liberties News Rooms, which advertised its services as early as 1833, established a Sub Post Office in 1835. The proprietor at this time was Andrew McMakin. A news item appearing in the October 10, 1835, edition of the Philadelphia Saturday Courier states: "The enterprising, attentive and indefatigable proprietor of that popular establishment, the Northern Liberties Free Admission News Room, has found the business of his Sub Post Office so much on the increase, as to induce him to prepare a new and appropriate stamp, which we perceive is now imprinted upon all letters deposited at his office." (from research by Elliott Perry and J. William Middendorf). Later advertisements link the Sub Post Office in Northern Liberties with the main Philadelphia post office, which reinforces its status as an authorized drop point for mail. Calvet M. Hahn recorded between 12 and 14 examples of Type I (some duplication of items is possible).
U.S.P.O., Philadelphia Pa., 1c Black on Yellow Glazed (7LB9). Large margins to in, uncancelled and usual, used on buff ca. 1849 cover to West River Md., blue "Philada. Pa. 5 cts. May 9" integral-rate circular datestamp, some wear incl. waterstaining, slightly reduced on three sides and with hinges reinforcing splits in top flapFINE. A RARE STAMP WITH ONLY EIGHT REPORTED EXAMPLES ON COVER.
Ex Caspary.
Adams & Co.'s Express, Cal., 25c Black, "Rate 25c Per 1-2 Oz.", Black Overprint (1L5). Unused (no gum), "LR" (L. Reed) initials, large marginsEXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE ADAMS & CO.'S EXPRESS STAMP WITH BLACK OVERPRINT.
Ex Boker and Golden (Siegel Sale 817, lot 433, realized $2,600 hammer). The Hall Collection contained an example with a fault; other than these two we have not offered another since keeping computerized records.
Adams & Co.'s Express, Cal., 25c Black (1L6). Vertical pair, unused (no gum), three huge margins, probably from the upper right corner of sheet, frameline just touched at leftVERY FINE. THE ONLY RECORDED MULTIPLE OF THE ADAMS & CO. 1L6 STAMP.
Ex Boker (realized Sfr. 2,400 in 1973 Robson Lowe sale) and Golden (Siegel Sale 817, lot 434, realized $3,750 hammer).
American Express Co., New York N.Y., 2c Black on Green (4L1). Uncancelled, margins mostly clear of ornaments, slightly creased with minor surface disturbances, mounted on paper with notation "Ferrary Sale June 18/24"VERY FINE. ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL LOCAL POST STAMPS -- FIVE GENUINE EXAMPLES ARE REPORTED TO EXIST.
Researchers have argued over the origins of this post, but the best evidence available indicates that it was run briefly in 1856 as American Express Co. (no relation to the well-known firm by the name name) by proprietors Smith and Dobson, and was changed to Smith's City Express Post after Dobson departed. Several excellent forgeries of this stamp exist (the example in the Golden sale is evidently one of the forgeries). An article by William W. Sammis (Penny Post, April 2005) reports a fifth genuine copy of 4L1.
Ex Ferrary and Schwartz (Siegel Sale 824, lot 380, realized $8,000 hammer)
Bentley's Dispatch, New York N.Y., (unstated value) Gold (10L2). Large margins, lightly inked but clearly impressed "Paid" cancel, small scuff in enamel surface at topEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE BENTLEY'S 10L2 STAMP WITH "PAID" CANCEL. ONLY SIX OF THE SEVEN RECORDED STAMPS ARE AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS.
Ex Schwartz.
Philadelphia Despatch Post, Philadelphia Pa., 3c Red (15L1). Octagonal margins just slightly into circle, partly clear impression with usual ms. "R & Co" initials, red "Paid" and "3" numeral handstamps struck twice, used on folded letter with July 28, 1843 dateline, addressed to Commerce Street between 4th and 5th Streets, letter discusses bankruptcy proceedings, minor splitting along fold at topVERY FINE. ONE OF FIFTEEN RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE PHILADELPHIA DESPATCH POST RED STAMP. A WONDERFUL "PRIMITIVE" AMONG PHILATELIC RARITIES.
A census of Philadelphia Despatch 15L1 and 15L2 stamps may be found at our website: siegelauctions.com/1999/817/yf81786.htm#98. The cover offered here is No. 6 in the listing.
Browne & Co.'s City Post Office, Cincinnati O., 2c Black (29L2). Margins slightly in, used with 3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A), ample margins to cut in, both stamps tied by dark blue "Cincinnati O. Dec. 17" circular datestamp on brown cover to Putnam Female Seminary in Ohio, minor edgewearFINE. AN ATTRACTIVE AND EXTREMELY RARE COMBINATION OF BROWNE & CO.'S 2-CENT STAMP AND 3-CENT 1851 ISSUE.
The Browne & Co. 1c stamp, Scott 29L1, was designed with the "Brown & Co." spelling error. The correct spelling with the "e" at the end appears on the 2c stamp and the markings used by the post.
Browne's Easton Despatch, Easton Pa., 2c Black on Red (30L1). Ms. cancel, mostly ample margins, heavy thin breaks paperONE OF FIVE OR SIX KNOWN EXAMPLES OF THE BROWN'S EASTON DESPATCH POST 2-CENT ON VERMILION, SCOTT 30L1.
The Easton Whig newspaper announced the establishment of Browne's Easton Despatch by William J. Browne, located at 4 North Third Street in Easton, on October 7, 1857. The announcement reads, in part: "...letters, notes, circulars, bank notices, invacations of whatever nature etc. Letters etc. may be left at the letter box and prepaid stamps can be obtained at the office at the rate of 2 cents per every distance not over two miles from the Courthouse, either in this state or in New Jersey." A later notice (Feb. 10, 1858) advertised Browne's post in connection with sending Valentines and mentioned service to Easton, South Easton and Philipsburg -- the latter a violation of the laws governing post roads.
Of the six 30L1 stamps located in our records, there is some doubt about the genuineness of an uncancelled stamp affixed to a cover, leaving four pen-cancelled stamps and one uncancelled stamp.
Browne's Easton Despatch, Easton Pa., 2c Black (30L3). Block of six comprising four stamps at right and the pair at lower left, separate horizontal sheet-margin pair affixed at upper left (slightly overlapping margins), original gum, bright and fresh paper, creases with a few tiny breaks in paperVERY FINE APPEARANCE. THE ONLY RECORDED BLOCK OF THE RARE BROWNE'S EASTON DESPATCH ENGRAVED STAMP.
The engraved stamp with a portrait of Washington, 30L3, was the subject of recent scholarly study by Larry Lyons (The Penny Post, April 2006). In his article, he documents at least 37 examples and reconstructs the original plate layout using the multiple offered here. This block of six and pair, and three or four additional pairs, are the only known multiples. Lyons assigns Positions 2-3, 4-5/7-10 to this block and pair.
Ex Weekes, Souren, Boker, Lilly and Golden (Siegel Sale 817, lot 850, realized $5,500 hammer). Scott Retail as block of six and pair.
California Penny Post Co., San Francisco, 5c Black on 3c Red on Buff Entire (34LU3a). With seven-line inscription, "Stockton Cal. Jul. 10" circular datestamp, addressed to San Francisco street address, Very Fine, very rare used example of the 5c entire (16 reported in Lyons census in July 2005 Penny Post), Stockton was one of the California towns serviced by the Penny Post Co., this franked entire was used early in the Penny Post's operation, ex Haas, illustrated in Letters of Gold, with 1967 P.F. certificate
California Penny Post Co., San Francisco, 7c Black on Buff Entire (34LU11). To San Francisco addressee with 3c Dull Red (11), ample margins to slightly in, pencil "X" and tied by "Penny Post Co. San Francisco" double-line circular handstamp, vertical crease thru stamp is not very noticeableVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE USE OF THE 3-CENT 1851 ISSUE ON A CALIFORNIA PENNY POST COMPANY 7-CENT ENTIRE.
The 3c 1851 stamp was necessary to pay the U.S. government rate from one of the towns served by the California Penny Post Co. to San Francisco. In this case the origin is unknown. The 7c Penny Post Co. entire was designed to pay the rates for delivery to the post office (2c) and delivery from the post office in San Francisco (5c), although it appears that this cover never entered the regular mails. Eight used entires are reported in Lyons census in July 2005 Penny Post.
Ex Polland and Piller. With 1973 P.F. certificate
City Dispatch, New York N.Y., 2c Red (160L1). Unused (no gum), large margins to clear, rich color, few faults incl. horizontal creaseA 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.
Eagle City Post, Philadelphia Pa., (2c) Black, Tete-Beche Pair (61L2a). Arrangement of unused (no gum) stamps comprising vertical pair (Ty. A/B), horizontal strip of three including tete-beche position at center (Ty. B-A-B) and horizontal strip of five (all Ty. A), plus two singles (A, B), affixed to a sheet of backing paper, slight creases in pair, two stamps in strip of five are lightly stained at bottomVERY 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.
(Mason) N-Orls. City Express Post La., Nov. 1. Red circular datestamp on November 1850 edition of DeBow's Review periodical addressed to A.J. Lincoln on Lafayette Street, light folds to be expected, Very Fine strike of this rare marking
Pinkney's Express Post, New York N.Y., 2c Black on Green Glazed (115L1). Roughly separated with margins clear except at right, lettering is intact, three pen strokes, one of which was dry but ties the stamp, pencil "Paid" referring to Pinkney's fee, black "New-York 5 Cts. Oct. 5" due rate circular datestamp on cover to Suffield Conn., pencil docketing indicates 1851 year date, stamp with minor age spotsFINE. 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
Russell's 8th Ave. Post Office, New York N.Y., (2c) Blue Green on Green (130L4). Margins to in, somewhat defective and affixed to piece with tears and repairs, lightly cancelledFINE 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.
Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $2.00-$4.00 Horse & Rider Issues (143L1-143L5). All five Horse & Rider stamps including $2.00 Red and $4.00 Green, First Issue (April 1861) and $1.00 Red, $2.00 Green and $4.00 Black, Second Issue (July 1, 1861), unused (no gum), large margins, bright and freshEXTREMELY 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.
Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, 10c Brown (143L7). Two large margins, touched at top and barely in at bottom, tied by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express Genoa" oval handstamp over manuscript "Pony", lightly-struck "Wells, Fargo & Co. Express Aurora" blue oval handstamp on 3c Pink entire (U35) with Wells, Fargo & Co. printed frank to San Francisco, from the Crittenden correspondence, with letter datelined "Aurora, Sept. 1, 1862", 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."
Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, 10c Brown (143L7). Margins slightly in, minor toning, tied by "Wells, Fargo & Co. Sac. Messenger Oct. 27" blue oval datestamp on 3c Pink entire (U35) to Virginia City, back shows some evidence of paste-up, horizontal fold clear of stamps, slightly reduced and small tear at right, otherwise Fine, the 10c Brown is rarer than the 25c Blue by a ratio of 3:1, the use of the Sacramento Messenger oval on a Virginia City Pony Express cover is extremely unusual, with 1976 P.F. certificate
Wells, Fargo & Co., Virginia City Pony Express, 25c Blue (143L8). Ample margins to just touched at bottom, tied by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia City Nev." oval datestamp on 3c Pink entire (U34) with black Wells Fargo & Co. printed frank, to San Francisco, reduced slightly at left, otherwise Very Fine, handsome Virginia City Pony Express cover, with 1999 P.F. certificate
Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, 25c Red (143L9). Block of 20 in two panes, unused (no gum), rich color, several creases in margins and thru several stamps, some ending in small tears in margins, otherwise Very Fine, ex Golden
Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, 25c Red (143L9). Large to huge margins including right sheet margin, tied by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia Cty. N.T. Feb. 22" oval datestamp on 3c Pink entire (U34) with Wells, Fargo & Co. printed frank, to Clara B. Crittenden in San Francisco, 1865 letter enclosedEXTREMELY FINE. A CHOICE STAMP AND BEAUTIFUL VIRGINIA CITY PONY EXPRESS COVER FROM THE FAMOUS CRITTENDEN CORRESPONDENCE.
With 1981 P.F. certificate.
Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, 10c Blue entire (143LU2). 10c printed over black Wells, Fargo & Co. frank next to 3c Pink embossed stamp on a front only with backflaps added, evidently a paste-up usage, overall lithographed Gould & Curry Silver Mining Co. design, two strikes of blue "Wells, Fargo & Cos. Express S.Frco. 3 Apr." large double-circle datestamp, piece mended at bottomTHIS 10-CENT BLUE IMPRINTED VIRGINIA CITY PONY EXPRESS STAMP IS ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF WESTERN EXPRESSES. ONLY TWO RECORDED IN GAMET CENSUS (BOTH ARE FRONTS ONLY).
Ex Lichtenstein and Golden
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