Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $1.00 Red, $2.00 Green, $4.00 Black (143L3-143L5). Complete genuinely used set of the July 1861 Horse & Rider Issue for the Pony Express authorized by Congress, bright colors, ample to full margins, just touched at the bottom of the $1.00 and in couple places on the $4.00, each cancelled by blue San Francisco "Running Pony" oval handstamp, $2.00 with small corner creases, accompanied by blue San Francisco "Running Pony" handstamp on proof paper (without date)

A BEAUTIFUL AND EXCEPTIONALLY RARE COMPLETE USED SET OF THE JULY 1861 PONY EXPRESS STAMPS, INCLUDING ONE OF FEWER THAN SIX KNOWN OFF-COVER USED EXAMPLES OF THE $4.00 BLACK ISSUE.

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.

$2.00 and $4.00 with 2001 and 2003 P.F. certificates respectively.

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