Closed Auction

lot # 48 - united states postal history Wells Fargo & Co. Express

Thursday Dec 10, 2020 16:00 America/New_York

"Per Pony Express, Paid 2.00," a manuscript notation at the upper left corner of a 3c Red on buff Star Die entire (U27) with a clear green "St Joseph Mo May 24" cds, way cover addressed to "Hon John Letcher/ Governor of Virginia/ Richmond", back side with magenta 75mm "Record Division War Department/ Rebel Archives" oval handstamp, Very Fine and choice, the lack of a Wells Fargo handstamp (as well as the 3c rate) indicates that this cover did not originate on the West Coast of the United States, a remarkable and likely unique Pony Express cover addressed to the Confederate States; Frajola-Walske-Kramer Census E-77rnThis cover is illustrated and discussed in detail in Richard Graham's article in The Chronicle; Vol. 27, No. 4, pages 222-27, in which he postulates the cover could have originated from a Virginia officer in a remote western army post in one of the mountain states who was "checking in" with his home government. We feel the final paragraph of this article is important to repeat: "In any case, this cover, not nearly as spectacular in appearance as are many of its more highly sought brethren, could it talk, could probably tell a story that would put to shame the stories behind most of the more colorful 'ponies.' As its present owner, Marc Haas, has commented to the writer, it is difficult to decide whether to include the cover in a Pony Express, Western, or a Confederate collection. It would grace any of them."rnProvenance: Marc Haas (Private Transaction)Pony Express

About The Seller

H.R. Harmer

H.R. Harmer was founded in 1918 by Henry Revell Harmer of London. In 1940, the firm opened its New York auction gallery and quickly ascended to the top ranks of philatelic auction houses... Read More

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