Sale 316


 
Lot 265



Wells Fargo & Co., 1861, $2 red (143L1), position 14, four margins, tied by blue "Wells Fargo & Co., Placerville, Apr 28" oval datestamp on pasteback envelope to Newburyport Mass, green "St. Joseph Mo. May 10" c.d.s., endorsed "April 28t, The dear boys birth"; glue stains around stamp from being affixed with the glue used for paste-up, reverse with glue and remnants of paste-up envelope, Fine.
Estimate 10,000 - 15,000

THE EARLIEST RECORDED USAGE OF A PONY EXPRESS STAMP, AS WELL AS THE ONLY RECORDED USAGE OF A PONY EXPRESS STAMP ON A PASTE-UP.

Expertization: 2002 A.P.S. Certificate.

In April 1861, Wells Fargo & Co. introduced adhesive stamps in their capacity as agents for the Pony Express. At this time the Trans-Continental Pony Express was a privately owned operation that carried mail between California and St. Joseph Mo. at the rate of two dollars per half ounce.

The above cover departed Placerville, California on April 28 and was carried east by a relay of riders on ponies. It entered the United States mails at St. Joseph, Missouri on May 10, 1861. It was most likely pasted to a 10¢ entire as evidenced by envelope remnants on reverse.


 
Realized $6,500



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