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Sale 83: Gems of Philately

Table of Contents

Western Covers

Lot 55    

Central Overland California & Pike's Peak Express Co., Denver City K.T., Nov 6, oval datestamp and "The Only Through Express, Direct your Letters Care C.O.C. & P.P. Express, St. Joseph, Mo. or Leavenworth, K.T." black on magenta express label affixed on yellow cover with manuscript "Gooding's Grove Ill, Mar 28" postmark with matching pen cancels on 3¢ dull red (26) to Mountain City, Kansas Territory; label with small tears, cover and label with small repair at top left, Very Fine appearance; with 2000 P.F. certificate.
Estimate    $4,000 - 6,000.

ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE CENTRAL OVERLAND CALIFORNIA & PIKE'S PEAK EXPRESS LABEL IN MAGENTA ON COVER.

This company was the immediate predecessor of The Pony Express. It was organized by the firm of Russell, Majors & Waddell for the purpose of saving the partnership's freighting operations to army posts in the West. They were one of two firms that carried mail to the Pike's Peak region when the gold rush began there. COC&PPE had obtained the mail contract from St. Joseph to Salt Lake City operating over the Platte River Road. They carried the express Pike's Peak mail over this route as far as Julesburg, where it was diverted south to Denver, which had a post office, but no mail route serving the town.

This cover originated in Illinois. At St. Joseph it was handed to the COC&PPE who delivered it to Mountain City, Kansas Territory.


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Realized: $3,250

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