The Letter's in the Mail

Pony Express patriotic cover
Envelope Sent Through Pony Express in 1861

This envelope traveled from San Francisco, California, to A.W. Canfield in New York, New York, in only twelve days during June 1861. The $2 red Wells Fargo stamp paid for the Pony Express service and the oval-shaped blue marking, also created by Wells Fargo, cancels it. To pay for the portion of the delivery service through the U.S. mails, the sender used a Post Office Department 10-cent prepaid envelope. A round, green postmark cancels the postal stationery.