American Express, Notes On Frank

AMERICAN EXPRESS
——————————-

1853

(Same frank as NICHOLS & CO’S EXPRESS)

Printed Frank: A complete picture. To left a river with sailboat and steamer. In center a large safe with dog holding key. To right a bridge spanning a river; railroad train on bridge. Color Black or Yellow
Width of picture 77m. Above picture in heavy black type “AMERICAN EXPRESS.” Under the picture PAID. the word without a Period.

Period after PAID. a – Plain buff envelope
II b Black on 1853 3¢ red – buff – 3 – 5E – 15C
PAID.                  ”       ”   3¢ red white – 3 – 5a E2 – 20d
                                    ”        ”   3¢  red buff –      3 –   5a E2 – 21d, 21a (Redwood City – red)
                                   Yellow on 1853 3¢ red buff – 3 – 5a E2 – 21d – cut sq. only.

NOTE: – Nichols & Co. The San Francisco Directory of 1858 contains the following:

“California and Oregon Express, Daily to San Mateo, Belmont, Redmond City, Santa Clara, and San Jose; and semi-monthly express to Oregon and Washington Territories, in charge of regular messengers.(“)

“Connect with Alta Express to Northern and Southern Mines; and Freeman & Co. to Atlantic States and Europe.”

Nichols in due course gave way, I am informed, to the American Express Co. There is knwon a frank of this letter company (on yellow paper) cut out and pasted over a “Pacific Express Co.” (horseman), from which it seems probable that the American Express Co. also absorbed the Pacific Company.