Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $2.00 Red (143L1). Large margins to ample, rich color, tied by blue “Pony Express, San Francisco, Jun. 29” (1861) Running Pony oval datestamp, second clear strike below with matching “Paid” in oval on 10c Green on Buff Star Die entire (U33) to Washington Townsend in West Chester Pa., green “St. Joseph Mo. Jul. 11” circular datestamp, manuscript “Recd. at West Chester July 15, 1861 at 10. P.M. W.T." written by recipient over additional pencil docketing, embossed stamp uncancelled, some minor wrinkling and file fold which does not affect the adhesive

VERY FINE. A VERY RARE PONY EXPRESS COVER WITH THE $2.00 HORSE & RIDER FIRST ISSUE AND TWO BOLD STRIKES OF THE SAN FRANCISCO RUNNING PONY OVAL.

The “Paid” in oval handstamp was a standard marking used by Wells, Fargo & Company, but its function on Pony Express covers is not completely understood. The “Paid” oval is recorded on nine Pony Express covers carried during Phase II (Interim Phase) from April 1 to June 30, 1861 (FKW census). An additional five covers carried during Phase III (July-October 1861) have the same “Paid” oval. The fact that certain covers have the adhesive Pony Express stamp affixed over the “Paid” indicates that it was applied to those envelopes prior to being stamped for the Pony service.

The FKW census recorded 37 covers with the $2.00 Red First Issue. This cover left San Francisco on June 29 and arrived in St. Joseph after a 12-day trip. Four days later, on July 15, it reached Washington Townsend (1813-1894), a prominent West Chester Pa. lawyer and prosecuting attorney for Chester County, as well as deputy attorney under the Pennsylvania State Attorney General. He served as a delegate to both Whig and Republican presidential conventions and later served as a Republican member of Congress from 1869 to 1877.

FKW Census E108. Trip ET-113.

Image Magnifier / Download

Power Search for Comparables