Lot
742 
Coupe's Express, printed oval frank on 3¢ pink (U58) entire lightly canceled by "Olympia W.T., Aug 9" cds duplexed with "10" in circle cancel to Portland, Maine; some edge wear and flap tear, otherwise Very Fine and rare. Thomas Nos. COU-100 Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
A GREAT WASHINGTON TERRITORIAL EXPRESS RARITY. THIS IS THE EARLIEST OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE COUPE'S EXPRESS FRANK.
This one-man express was operated by Thomas Coupe in the Puget Sound area reportedly from 1864 for almost ten years. Coupe operated a small steamer vessel, the "Success", as a ferry between Port Townsend and Ebey's Landing on Whibey Island during the life of his express. A cover carried by Wells, Fargo & Co. from San Francisco to Port Townsend via Victoria is known bearing an endorsement "In Care of Capt Coupe".
Realized: $1,500