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| Lot | Sym. | Lot Description | Est/Cat | Realized |
| 342° |
 Pony Express Abstract. 7-3/4 x 9-1/2 in. printed form, headed PONY EXPRESS, ABSTRACT NO. and From Saint Joseph, Mo., columns and headings indicating destinations, number of letters (paid and free),
fees, etc.A RARE PONY EXPRESS ABSTRACT SUMMARIZING THE MAIL CARRIED ON THE WESTBOUND PONY RUN LEAVING SAINT JOSEPH ON AUGUST 29TH, 1861 Accomplished in manuscript, the abstract number is "17" and the departure is indicated as "August 29th, 1861, 7 a.m." The list of destinations includes San Francisco (93 paid letters, 3 free), Sacramento (11 paid, 2 free) and one each to Virignia City, Placerville, Carson City, Fort Laramie and Fort Kearny. Also indicated in the lower half are receipts for payments equal to the $145.00 express charges summarized above, including one line "Wells Fargo & Co., New En'lopes Thro P.O. ... 107.00". Among the mail carried on this August 29, 1861, Pony trip was the $1.00 Garter cover that Nathan illustrates on page 51 of The Pony Express. No other covers from this westbound journey are recorded. This rare surviving abstract is believed to be one of the very few printed abstract forms, which presumably came into use in this late period of the Pony Express, when the service was operating "in the most efficient manner of any time of its existence" (Nathan, p. 43). It was retained by a former Wells, Fargo & Co. employee, the colorful Pilsbury "Chips" Hodgkins, who died in 1892. An historic and exhibitable piece of Pony Express history (Image Magnifier) |
E. 1,500-2,000 | 1,900.00 |