Wells Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $1.00 Red (143L3). Margins slightly in and repaired top right corner, tied by blue “Pony Express San Francisco Sep. 11” Running Pony oval datestamp on 10c Green on Buff Star Die entire (U33) with Wells Fargo & Co. red printed frank, “Atchison Kan. Sep. 23” (1861) double-circle datestamp, addressed to Baltimore Md., reduced at left and small edge tear

FINE APPEARING PONY EXPRESS STAMP ON AN ATTRACTIVE COVER. A RARE USE VIA THE ATCHISON POST OFFICE.

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 nicely combines all three postage elements and was carried on the Sep. 11, 1861 eastbound Pony Express trip after the new rates and stamps were introduced. By September 1861 the transcontinental railroad reached Atchison, Kansas, which became the post-office entry point for Pony Express mail.

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 E156. Ex Luff, Knapp, Barkhausen LeBow and Lyons. With 2015 P.F. certificate

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