Lot
1220 
(Civil War) The Adams Express Company, S.A. Jones Agent, Louisville, KY., black on gray express label, affixed to reverse of repaired orange cover to Orleans, N.Y., "Adams Ex. Co., Louisville, Ky., Jul 1, 1861" cds and blue "Adams Express Co., Augusta Ga., Jul 3" oval, manuscript "2/- CJP" express rating for two bits (25¢), entered U.S. mails with 3¢ dull red (26) tied by blue grid duplexed with "Louisville Ky., Jul 8, 1861" cds; bottom half of cover restored with address added and bit of markings drawn in, label with sealed tears, Very Fine appearance. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
ONE OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED COVERS BEARING AN ADAM'S EXPRESS LABEL.
Adams & Co. had organized the beginnings of an express in the south before 1850 (Stimson, page 156). In May 1861, Adams Express spun off the Southern Express as a separate division. During the Civil War, Adams had the facility to deliver "Through the Lines" mail, as evidenced by the instructive label. The Adam's Express Company began carrying letters across-the-lines between their offices in Nashville and Louisville on June 22, 1861. The sender paid the CSA and USA postage plus an express fee of 25¢ for each ½ ounce. Private express mail service was terminated by U.S. Presidential proclamation on August 26, 1861.
This cover was sent inside another envelope from an unknown location in the CSA to Louisville for transmission to the north by Adam's Express. This interior envelope was carried northbound across-the-lines by Adam's Express and placed in the U.S. mail in Louisville with U.S. postage paid. The Adam's Express S. A. Jones Agent label was affixed to the reverse provides instructions and rates for sending mail to the Confederate States.
Realized: $4,000