Lot
814 
The Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company, St. Joseph, Mo., Nov 3, clear oval handstamp on cover bearing 3¢ dull red (26) tied by bold "Pacific City Ioa., Oct 30" to Denver City Kans., endorsed "Care of C.O.C. & P.P. Express, St. Joseph" at left; reduced at right and slightly cleaned, Fine and scarce use; with 1987 P.F. certificate. Estimate $400 - 600.
This firm was a part of the western freighting operation of Russell, Majors & Waddell. t was a precursor of the Pony Express, later operated by the same firm from St. Joseph to California. The COC&PPE was running between St. Joseph and the gold mining regions of the Rocky Mountains in what is now Colorado, since there was no mail route. Before Kansas became a state in 1861, this part of the front range was a part of Kansas Territory.
Realized: $450