Lot
1183 
Pullen & Co's Express, black on dull blue express label with steamboat vignette and offices listed, used on 1847 gray folded letter datelined "Troy Jul 30/47" sent by steamboat down the Hudson River to New York City, manuscript "2/-" rating for 25¢ express fee, ms. "with Sample Corn" notation, consignee's letter about com shipment arriving by canal-boat; file folds, Very Fine. Estimate $200 - 300.
Copp retired in late 1844 and his name was dropped on the new Pullen & Co. labels, which now illustrated a more modern steamboat. Pullen & Co. operated by steamboat up the Hudson River from New York City-there is no evidence this express operated into Canada, but the concurrent partnership of Pullen, Virgil & Co. extended their express lines across the border.
Realized: $190
Lot
1184
Pullen & Co's Express, two different black on green express labels with steamboat vignette and offices listed, first on gray folded letter datelined "Troy May 13. 1845" by steamboat to New York City street address, second on gray folded letter datelined "Troy Dec 23d 1848" by steamboat to New York City, Very Fine and choice pair. Estimate $400 - 600.
Realized: $325
Lot
1185
Pullen & Co's Express, New York N.Y., group of three different labels used on covers, comprising black on green label with train vignette on on folded letter to New York City, black on dull purple label with train vignette used on cover front to New York City, and large black on violet label on large cover to Hillsdale N.Y., F.-V.F. trio. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $240
Lot
1186
Forwarded By Pullen, Virgil & Co's Express, two different black on orange labels, first used on legal-size buff cover endorsed "From Thoms Wallace, Rouses Point" to New York City street address, manuscript "Paid 2/-" rating for 25¢ express rating, "$78.00" money letter endorsement; second stained "Forwarded by Pullen, Virgil & Co's New York, Montreal & Quebec Express" label used on blue legal-size cover with original "Montreal December 6th 1852" datelined letter to New York City street address, manuscript "Paid 1.00" express rating and "Money $589" money letter endorsement, ex-Hahn, F.-V.F. pair. Estimate $300 - 400.
In 1854 Pullen, Virgil & Co. merged with Johnson & Co. to form National Express.
Realized: $260
Lot
1187
Forwarded By Pullen, Virgil & Co's Express, black on vermilion label, tied by light file fold crease on gray folded letter datelined "Montreal August 6th 1845" letter with illustrated beehive letterhead to New York City street address, endorsed "With a Box of Glass, care of Virgil & Co's Express", red "City Despatch Post, P.O., Aug 12" cds and additional "New-York '2 cts' Aug 12" integral-rate due carrier cds, Very Fine and choice, ex-Caspary, Robertson. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
A REMARKABLE CROSS-BORDER USE BY PULLEN, VIRGIN & CO'S EXPRESS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NEW YORK CITY DESPATCH POST CARRIER FOR FINAL DELIVERY.
Letter was sent by Pullen, Virgil & Co's Express from their Montreal office via steamboat down the Hudson River to New York City where it was given to the City Despatch Post for delivery to a New York City street address.
Realized: $750
Lot
1188
Rice & Peck's Express., N.Y. & E. R.R. Co., black on vermilion express label, lightly oxidized, used on blue folded letter datelined "Oswego Dec. 31st 1847" to New York City street address, manuscript "Chgs 6/-" rating for 75¢ express rate, "Rice & Pecks Express, Sent Cash $479.47" money letter endorsement, Very Fine, the only recorded example of a Rice & Peck's Express label. Estimate $300 - 400.
It is believed Matthews and Rice & Peck were forerunners of Fiske & Rice's Express.
Realized: $250
Lot
1189
Forwarded By Ritcherdson's Express, From Parkville, black on yellow label tied by wax seals on reverse of legal-size cover bearing 3¢ dull red (11) horizontal pair, small tear at left and small scissor cut between, tied by "Saint Louis Mo., Jun 1, 1857" cds to Hon. James W. Denver, Commission of Indian Affairs, Washington D.C.; reduced slightly at left, small corner flaw and edge wear, F.-V.F. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
A RARE EXAMPLE OF RITCHERDSON'S EXPRESS, WHICH SERVED THE KANSAS AND MISSOURI REGION.
Joseph Ritcherdson started this express in Missouri and the Kansas Territory in March 1853, carrying parcels and letters by steamboat and train. He operated until mid-1857 but surprisingly is not listed in either the Nathan or Thomas books. See "Ritcherdson's Missouri Express" by C. Corwith Wagner, Western Express, Feb-Apr 1954.
Realized: $1,700
Lot
1190
Forwarded By Ross's Express, two different large red on white labels with cannon shooting messenger, first "By Ross's Xpress, Over the elegant Providence & Worcester Railroad" with addresses updated in manuscript, used on reverse of buff cover with John H. Eddy & Co., Providence R.I. corner card handstamp to Troy N.H., manuscript "25¢" express rating, "Forty two 50/100" money letter endorsement; reduced at left, wear, small label scuff; second "Ross's Express from Providence" used on reverse of March 20, 1846 order for screws, F.-V.F. pair. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $300
Lot
1191
Saunders' Salem & Lawrence Express., Three Times Daily, black on yellow express label, used on orange cover with "Salem, May 25, 1863" letter to Lawrence, Mass., endorsed "pr Express paid" at lower left; ink stain spot, otherwise Very Fine and scarce Salem Mass. express. Estimate $300 - 400.
This express operated briefly in the early 1860's between Salem and Lawrence, Mass. as well as into New Hampshire.
Realized: $230
Lot
1192
Savory & Co's Salem & Boston Express., black on vermilion express label, used on orange cover to Boston Mass. street address, endorsed "Savory & Co. Express and "$337" money letter endorsement; reduced at top and edge tear, otherwise Very Fine. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $170