Eastern Express Co., 1850s Stampless Cover from Boston to Wilton, Maine

Manuscript endorsement “Per Eastern Express & Co.” at upper left and “Paid” at upper right, addressed to George Henry Bass, Wilton, Maine. Sender noted as J.F. Gould, 141 Milk St., Boston, and includes manuscript notation indicating $111.00 enclosed.

Hodgman, Carr & Co., Carpenter & Co., and Winslow & Co. were consolidated on May 1, 1857, to form the Eastern Express Co. The company operated between Boston and Maine, utilizing the Steamer Daniel Webster for service along the Penobscot River and the Steamer T.F. Secor on the Kennebec River. The company would eventually be absorbed by the American Express Co. by 1879.