Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $1.00 Red (143L3). Three large margins including portion of adjoining stamp at top, in at bottom, small tear at right, tied by blue “Pony Express, San Francisco, Jul. 20” (1861) Running Pony oval datestamp, stamp affixed over manuscript "Pony 20 July" on 10c Green Star Die entire (U32) with Wells Fargo & Co. red printed frank to A. W. Canfield in New York City, original letter enclosed datelined San Francisco July 20, embossed stamp cancelled by bold strike of “St. Joseph Mo. Aug. 1” circular datestamp, minor edge nicks

VERY FINE APPEARING COVER WITH THE $1.00 HORSE & RIDER SECOND ISSUE TIED BY THE SAN FRANCISCO RUNNING PONY OVAL DATESTAMP AND CARRIED DURING THE FIRST MONTH OF THE GOVERNMENT CONTRACT PERIOD.

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, which is represented by the printed frank on this entire. The contract also stipulated the mandatory U.S. postage charge of 10c per half ounce. This cover beautifully combines all three postage elements and was carried on the fourth eastbound Pony Express trip after the new rates and stamps were introduced. 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.

FKW Census E119. Trip ET-119. Illustrated in Collectors Club Philatelist in an article by H.C. Needham and Dr. V. M. Berthold (Oct. 1927, p. 186)

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