Auction # 72 - Gems of Philately

"C. O. C. and P.P. Express". Central Overland California and Pikes Peak express company endorsement and matching "Paid" on 3¢ red on buff (U27) star die entire to Spring Gulch, Colorado Territory, "Sumner, Kansas, Jul 29, 1861" origin cds backstamp and partial strike cancelling indicia, additional express endorsement "Paid Murphy 10¢" at left paying for the letter's final destination in Western Colorado Territory; edge faults, Fine.
Estimate; $2,500 - 3,500.

A RARE USAGE CARRIED BY TWO EXPRESS COMPANIES IN COLORADO TERRITORY.

Accompanied by the Oct. 17th 2016 Linn's article written by Labron Harris about this fascinating Colorado express usage. This letter reached Denver and was sent on to Spring Gulch in Western Colorado. There was no internal organized mail system in Colorado at this time and mail was carried privately. It has been determined that there was an express running this route, the likely candidate being John T. Murphy, who left Platte Mo. in 1859 and went to Nevada City Colo., which is near Spring Gulch. There he became involved in the mercantile business and needed transportation to get his goods from Denver to his store. Seeing the need, he probably started an express company to carry foods for himself and others, charging 10¢ for letters as shown by this cover.