Casey Jones Rail Road Unit of the ATA


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Trains on Private Express Labels and Stamps

Page 2

Please e-mail me at if you can provide additional information about any item, especially the equipment shown.

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LEGEND: Most of the information below is self-explanatory, but some of the conventions used may not be familiar to all viewers, so here are some explanations:

COLOR - the two colors following this title represent the ink and paper.
So "Black/Orange" means the item was printed with black ink on orange paper.

EQUIPMENT - these notes are very crude at present. If you can provide more specific data, please do so.
The terms "very early" and "early" are somewhat arbitrary, but in general refer to designs of the 1820's, 1830's and early 1840's. On early steam locomotives, the driver or engineer stood exposed at the rear, while both baggage/freightand passenger cars were open to the elements. By the 1850's locomotives had enclosed cabs. First Class passenger cars were enclosed fairly early, even in the 1830's, while second class and steerage remained open into the 1840s. Everything had to be enclosed eventually, since the higher speeds, plus the danger of fire from sparks made travel too hazardous otherwise.

IMAGE SIZE - Illustrations are not to scale relative to each other. Read the Size entries to obtain actual and relative sizes. The "ww x hh mm" entries define the outer dimensions of frame rectangles, or other measurable design extremes. "O/A ww x hh mm" entries define the overall paper size of a label/stamp or booklet cover when no design extremes are easily measureable. Unknown sizes are marked "Unknown". Uncertain dimensions are followed by a question mark.

UNITED STATES

(continued)

Label or Stamp Image

Description

EASTMAN'S EXPRESS (dates unknown)

Local parcel express company that operated between Boston, Lynn, and Salem, Mass.

Company:Eastman's Express
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:Unknown
Size:61.5x41 mm
Color:Black/Grey
Equipment:Very early steam loco with two carriages
Mosher #: EMNX-L1

FISKE & RICE'S EXPRESS (1851-54)

Regional private mail express that operated between Boston Mass., Burlington VT, and Montreal. In January 1851, F.H.Rice and Phineas S. Fiske purchased part to all of Bigelow & Co's Express to start this business.

Company:Fiske & Rice's Express
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:ca. 1852
Size:18x44 mm
Color:Black/(various)
Equipment:As I say on my Trains on US Locals and Expresses page, the locomotive here is the same one shown on the earlier Bigelow's Express stamp, and resembles "The Experiment", but unless some expert can say more, that's as close as we can get. See label BIGX-L1, on prior page of this exhibit.
Mosher #: F&RX-L1
Notes:Forgeries of this label exist.

FLUSHING & NORTH SIDE RAILROAD EXPRESS CO. (ca.1870-74)

Local express that operated between stations on the Flushing and North Side Railroad (1869-74) in the New York City area.

Company:Flushing & North Side Railroad Express Co.
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:Unknown
Size:65.5x56.5 mm
Color:Black/Yellow
Equipment:Early steam locomotive, tender, and baggage/freight car
Mosher #: FNSX-L1
Company:Flushing & North Side Railroad Express Co.
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:Unknown
Size:81.5x73 mm
Color:Black/Orange
Equipment:Very early steam locomotive and passenger cars
Mosher #: FNSX-L2

GAY & CO'S EXPRESS (exact dates unknown)

Regional private mail and parcel express company that operated between NYC, Boston and other Eastern cities.

Company:Gay & Co's Express
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:ca. 1847
Size:47x32.5 mm
Color:Black/Pale Pink
Equipment:Very early steam locomotive and baggage/freight car(?)
Mosher #: GAYX-L10
Company:Gay & Co's Express
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:ca. 1848
Size:47x32.5 mm
Color:Black/Green, Black/Salmon
Equipment:Very early steam locomotive and baggage/freight car(?)
Mosher #: GAYX-L12
Company:Gay & Co's Express
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:ca. 1847
Size:47x32.5 mm
Color:Black/Rosy Buff
Equipment:Very early steam locomotive and baggage/freight car(?)
Mosher #: GAYX-L14
Company:Gay & Co's Express
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:ca. 1847
Size:49x32.5 mm
Color:Black/Light Green, Black/Pale Pink
Equipment:Very early steam locomotive and baggage/freight car(?)
Mosher #: GAYX-L16

GAY, KINSLEY & CO'S EXPRESS (exact dates unknown)

Regional private mail and parcel express company that operated between Boston, NYC, Philadelphia and other Eastern cities. Succeeded by Kinsley & Co. Express.

Company:Gay, Kinsley & Co's Express
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:ca. 1848
Size:43x34 mm
Color:Black/(various papers)
Equipment:Very early steam locomotive with passenger car
Mosher #: GKNX-L5
Company:Gay, Kinsley & Co's Express
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:Unknown
Size:44x34.5 mm
Color:Black/Blue
Equipment:Very early steam locomotive with passenger car
Mosher #: GKNX-L6
Company:Gay, Kinsley & Co's Express
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:ca. 1848
Size:43.5x34 mm
Color:Black/Light Lavender
Equipment:Very early steam locomotive with passenger car
Mosher #: GKNX-L10
Company:Gay, Kinsley & Co's Express
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:ca. 1848
Size:44x34 mm
Color:Black/Yellow
Equipment:Very early steam locomotive with passenger car
Mosher #: GKNX-L15

GILMAN'S EXPRESS (exact dates unknown)

Local private mail express company that operated between Boston, Mass and Bangor, Maine.

Company:Gilman's Express
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:ca. 1844
Size:35x52 mm
Color:Black/Yellow
Equipment:Very early steam locomotive
Mosher #: GLMX-L1
Company:Gilman's Express
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:ca. 1846
Size:32x39 mm
Color:Black/(various papers)
Equipment:Very early steam locomotive
Mosher #: GLMX-L5
Company:Gilman's Express
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:Unknown
Size:32x39 mm
Color:Black/Flesh
Equipment:Very early baggage/freight car
Mosher #: GLMX-L10
Company:Gilman's Express
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:Unknown
Size:39.5x43 mm
Color:Black/Pale Yellow
Equipment:Very early steam locomotive and baggage/freight car
Mosher #: GLMX-L15

GODFREY & MUNRO'S EXPRESS (exact dates unknown)

Local private mail express company that operated between New Bedford, Mass and Bangor, Maine.

Company:Godfrey & Munro's Express
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:ca. 1848?
Size:50x34 mm
Color:Black/Buff
Equipment:Very early steam locomotive, tender, baggage/freight car, and passenger car
Mosher #: G&MX-L1

HARNDEN EXPRESS CO. (1839-54)

Regional private mail and parcel express company that operated in the eastern states and overseas. Established by William S. Harnden in March 1839. Absorbed by the Adams Express Co. on July 1, 1854, but the Harnden portion of Adams Express business operations retained its company name to as late as 1871. Also known as Harnden's Express and Harnden & Co's Express.


Company:Harnden Express Co.
Type:Corner Card, printed
Year:Unknown
Size:110x38 mm
Color:Red
Equipment:Tiny train heading upward towards The Capitol Building just left of center
Mosher #: HRNX-C5 and C7
Company:Harnden Express Co.
Type:Corner Card, printed
Year:Unknown
Size:Unknown
Color:Black?
Equipment:Tiny train heading toward viewer from left at bottom of image.
Mosher #: HRNX-C15
Company:Harnden Express Co.
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:ca. 1845
Size:32x38.5 mm
Color:Black/Pale Pink
Equipment:Very early passenger car, with baggage/freighton top.
Mosher #: HRNX-L5
Company:Harnden Express Co.
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:Unknown
Size:31.5x38 mm
Color:Black/Pink
Equipment:Very early steam locomotive.
Mosher #: HRNX-L8
Company:Harnden Express Co.
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:ca.1847
Size:32x38.5 mm
Color:Black/Pale Pink
Equipment:Very early passenger car, with baggage/freighton top.
Mosher #: HRNX-L10
Company:Harnden Express Co.
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:ca. 1851
Size:32x38.5 mm
Color:Black/Pale Green
Equipment:Very early steam locomotive.
Mosher #: HRNX-L13
Company:Harnden Express Co.
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:Unknown
Size:35x48 mm
Color:Black/Light Blue
Equipment:Very early baggage/freight car.
Mosher #: HRNX-L20

HOPE EXPRESS CO.(exact dates unknown)

Regional private mail and parcel express company that operated in New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania. Also known as Hope's Express.

Company:Hope Express Co.
Type:Corner Card, embossed (cameo)
Year:Unknown
Size:54x33 mm
Color:Blue
Equipment:Early 4-4-0 with tender and passenger car.
Mosher #: HOPX-C5

HOWARD & CO'S EXPRESS CO.(1855-68)

Regional private mail and parcel express company that operated in eastern Pennsylvania. Also known as The Howard Express Company.

Company:Howard & Co's Express Co.
Type:Corner Card, printed
Year:1862-66
Size:54x46 mm
Color:Black
Equipment:Steam train on bridge
Mosher #: HOWX-C5
Company:Howard & Co's Express Co.
Type:Corner Card, printed
Year:1867-68
Size:53.5x43 mm
Color:Black?
Equipment:Steam train on bridge
Mosher #: HOWX-C6

INTERNATIONAL EXPRESS CO.(1884-??)

Regional parcel express company that operated in NYC, New England, and into eastern Canada. Owner of the Boston & Bangor Express Co. Abosrbed by the United States Express Co. in 1888, but continued under the International Express name for many years thereaafter.

Company:International Express Co.
Type:Stamp, imperf 3 sides, left perf 13.75
Year:ca. 1887
Size:80x49 mm
Color:Green/White
Equipment:Steam loco, tender, bagagge cars
Mosher #:INTX-S3
Notes:This stamp exists in 5 denominations, each printed in a different color of ink, all on white paper

JEROME & CO'S EXPRESS CO.(1843-50)

Local private mail and parcel express company that operated between Boston, Mass. and Bangor, Maine.

Company:Jerome & Co's Express Co.
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:Unknown
Size:46x32 mm
Color:Black/Yellow
Equipment:Very early steam engine and passenger car
Mosher #: JRMX-L15

JOHNSON & CO'S EXPRESS CO.(Dates unknown)

Local private mail express company that operated between NYC and Albany, NY on the Harlem & Albany Northern Railroad (1853-56).

Company:Johnson & Co's Express
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:Unknown
Size:46.5x33.5 mm
Color:Black/Orange
Equipment:Very early steam locomotive, baggage/freight cars, passenger car.
Mosher #: JHNX-L1

KINSLEY & CO'S EXPRESS (1850-69)

Regional private mail and parcel express company that operated between Boston, Mass., NYC, and Philadelphia. Successor to Gay,Kinsley & Co's Express.

Company:Kinsley & Co's Express
Type:Corner Card, embossed (cameo)
Year:Unknown
Size:33x35.5 mm
Color:Slate Blue
Equipment:Very early steam locomotive and passenger car(?)
Mosher #: KINX-C1
Company:Kinsley & Co's Express
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:ca. 1857
Size:42x34 mm
Color:Black/Blue
Equipment:Very early steam locomotive and passenger car
Mosher #: KINX-L5

[J.B.} LILLARD EXPRESS (Unknown)

Local express that operated in an unknown area. May be a phantom issue.

Company:Lillard Express
Type:Stamp, Imperf
Year:Unknown
Size:Unknown
Color:Black/Purple
Equipment:Very early passenger carriage
Mosher #: LILX-S1

LIVINGSTON & WELLS' EXPRESS (1845-47)

Regional private mail express company that operated between NYC, Albany, and Buffalo, NY. Also known as Livingston, Wells & Co. Successor to Livingston, Wells & Pomeroy's Express. Succeeded by Wells & Co. Express.

Company:Livingston & Wells' Express
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:Unknown
Size:Unknown
Color:Black/Orange
Equipment:Ullustration is very crude, but appears to be a very early steam locomotive and carriage(s)
Mosher #:L&WX-L5

LIVINGSTON, WELLS & POMEROY'S EXPRESS (1844-45)

Regional private mail express company that operated between NYC, Albany, and Buffalo, NY. Successor to Pomeroy & Co. Express. Succeeded by Livingston, Wells & Co.

Company:Livingston, Wells & Pomeroy's Express
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:ca. 1844
Size:44x28.5 mm
Color:Black/White
Equipment:Very early steam locomotive and passenger car with baggage/freighton top
Mosher #:LWPX-L2
Company:Livingston, Wells & Pomeroy's Express
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:ca. 1844
Size:44?x28.5? mm
Color:Black/Unknown
Equipment:Very early steam locomotive and passenger car with baggage/freighton top
Mosher #: LWPX-L4
Company:Livingston, Wells & Pomeroy's Express
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:ca. 1845
Size:45x28 mm
Color:Black/Light Peach
Equipment:Very early steam locomotive and passenger car with baggage/freighton top
Mosher #: LWPX-L6
Company:Livingston, Wells & Pomeroy's Express
Type:Label, Imperf
Year:Unknown
Size:44.5x27.5 mm
Color:Black/Light Peach
Equipment:Very early steam locomotive and passenger car with baggage/freighton top
Mosher #: LWPX-L10

MERCHANTS' PARCEL DELIVERY CO. - IL (dates unknown)

Local parcel delivery company that operated in the Chicago area. Hastings Express Co. (1891-1928) owned this company and worked from an 83 Washington St office 1897-1901.

Company:Merchants' Parcel Delivery Co. - Il
Type:Stamp, Roul. 12.5
Year:Unknown
Size:59.5x34.5 mm
Color:Purple & Red/White
Equipment:Baggage/freight car
Mosher #: MRCD-S2
Company:Merchants' Parcel Delivery Co. - Il
Type:Stamp, Roul. 7
Year:Unknown
Size:60x34 mm
Color:Deep Purple & Red/White
Equipment:Baggage/freight car
Mosher #: MRCD-S4
Company:Merchants' Parcel Delivery Co. - Il
Type:Stamp, Perf. 11.8
Year:Unknown
Size:60x34.5 mm
Color:Purple & Red/White
Equipment:Baggage/freight car
Mosher #: MRCD-S6

MERCHANTS' UNION EXPRESS COMPANY (1861-68)

Regional private mail and parcel express company that operated in the northern states. Merged with the American Express Co. on December 1, 1868 to form the American Merchants Union Express Co.

Company:Merchants' Union Express Company
Type:Stamp, Imperf
Year:Unknown
Size:93x47.5 mm
Color:Black/Yellow
Equipment:Steam locomotive, tender and baggage/freight car
Mosher #:MUX-S2
Notes:This stamp exists in 7 denominations

NATIONAL EXPRESS COMPANY (1854-1918)

Regional private mail and parcel express company that was formed in 1854 by merger of Pullen, Virgil and Company with Johnson and Company. It operated in the northeastern border states and across into Montreal and Quebec, Canada. This company subsequently expanded into other northeastern states and as far west as Chicago and St. Louis. National Express was an 'anonymous' subsidiary of the American Express Co. This company was absorbed by the American Railway Express Co. on July 1, 1918 by federal proclamation.

Company:National Express Company
Type:Corner Card, embossed (cameo)
Year:ca. 1857
Size:46x34 mm
Color:Light Blue
Equipment:Early Steam locomotive, tender, baggage/freight car, passenger carriage
Mosher #: NATX-C5
Company:National Express Company
Type:Corner Card, embossed (cameo)
Year:Unknown
Size:46x35 mm
Color:Blue
Equipment:Early Steam locomotive, tender, baggage/freight car, passenger carriage
Mosher #: NATX-C7


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To order the Catalog of Private Express Labels and Stamps, e-Mail the book's author at: bhmexp@digital.net
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All images Copyright © 2002, Bruce H. Mosher
All text Copyright © 2002, William M. Senkus and Bruce H. Mosher

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Revised -- 09/02/2002