Lot
1033 
Weston Mo., Mar 9, red cds and matching "Free" rating handstamp free franked "B Holladay, Post Master, Weston Mo" on 1844 folded letter to New York N.Y., Very Fine. Estimate $400 - 600.
THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF STAGECOACH KING BEN HOLLADAY'S FREE FRANK AS POSTMASTER OF WESTON MO.
Ben Holladay was Weston, Missouri's most prominent citizen. He began his career by keeping a log tavern in 1839. From 1841 to 1845 he served as postmaster. Holladay's fortune was based on a contract he secured to supply Stephen W. Keamy's expedition to Santa Fe during the Mexican War. After the war he began freighting over the California Trail. He was a major creditor of Russell, Majors & Waddell. When that firm went bankrupt he acquired it, together with their freighting business and mail routes to Denver and Salt Lake City. In later years the Holladay Overland Stage Line extended branches to California and Oregon.
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Realized: $350