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Exceedingly rare, Civil War-dated Wells, Fargo & Co. ‘Pony Express’ cover, 5.5 x 3.25, bearing a blue oval “Pony Express / San Francisco / Aug 15” [1861] datestamp, an affixed red one-dollar Pony Express adhesive from Wells Fargo, and a green embossed U.S. 10-cent ‘Washington’ embossed indicium. The envelope is addressed in ink to prominent New York lantern and lighting manufacturer Robert E. Dietz. In fine condition, with expected signs of use.
Pony Express adhesive stamps were used on eastbound mail from California between July 1 and October 26, 1861, during which period approximately 35 west-to-east trips were completed, and fewer than 5,000 letters were carried. As such, this cover was likely carried by steamer from San Francisco to Sacramento, where it entered the Pony Express on August 17 for transmission eastward to St. Joseph, Missouri, and thence by rail to New York. Transit time from California to St. Joseph averaged approximately ten days, with riders dispatched twice weekly. The Pony Express route generally followed established overland emigrant trails, closely paralleling the Oregon and California Trails, with relay stations at regular intervals for horse changes and rider exchange. With the completion of the transcontinental telegraph on October 26, 1861, the Pony Express was discontinued.
The Western Americana auction of Jochen Zeitz.
