Summer 2025 | July 18-20, 2025

Folded letter datelined Feby 26th, 1850 and postmarked Providence, addressed to Rev. Nathan W. Williams in Shrewsbury, Mass., carried in the U.S. mails with red “PAID” and “5” rate markings; the letter notes, “I took the bundle to Ross’ Express Office to be forwarded to you...” and includes the notation “Paid, chg. Box 57,” confirming prepaid service via Ross’ Express.

Undated folded letter addressed to “Messrs. B. Whitin & Sons, Whitinsville,” carried privately “by Ross’ Express” as noted in manuscript at lower left. Ross' Express was a one-man operation active around 1848, transporting letters between Worcester, Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island, by rail.

Letter from P. Whitin & Sons.

Letter addressed to the Providence Tool Co. in Providence, RI.

Business letter from A. J. Halliday to P. Whitin & Sons.

Datelined Worcester, Nov 19, 1856.

The receipt documents a freight charge of 63c for goods forwarded to Clinton on a declared value of $34.75, signed by the local agent.

Folded letter datelined Greenfield, Mass., November 8, 1850, addressed to Messrs. Thompson & Co. Express.

The letter orders a variety of books and stationery from Messrs. Merriam, Chapin & Co. and requests the items be sent by express the following day. The letter specifically instructs, “Please send me by Express tomorrow,”

Folded cover addressed to an individual at Washington Coffee House in Boston, with manuscript "By Witherell's Express" and "Paid" endorsements.
The Washington Coffee House, referenced in the address, was a well-known Boston tavern and stagecoach departure point with historical ties to the earlier Indian Queen tavern dating back to the 17th century.

Folded letter dated March 20, 1848, from Taunton, Mass., addressed to Nahum Stetson (who was a prominent iron manufacturer) in Bridgewater and endorsed "Witherell's Express" with clear strike of "TAUNTON, MASS MAR 21 5ct" circular datestamp and matching "PAID" straightline."
The letter was carried in the U.S. mails from Taunton to Boston, then handled by Witherell's Express for delivery in Bridgewater.

Folded letter dated August 27, 1849, from Barnstable, Mass., to Hon. John H. Clifford in New Bedford, endorsed “Paid” and carried by Witherell & Co.'s Express. The sender, J. Seiders, urgently inquires whether Clifford will attend court the following week and requests his legal services in a trespass case (Seiders v. Calvin Fish), or that he delegate the matter to another attorney if unavailable. "Let me hear from you by the Express of this morning at the farthest tomorrow morn."

Folded letter dated October 16, 1852, from Wareham, Mass., addressed to Lazell, Perkins & Co. in Bridgewater, carried by Witherell’s & Co. Express. The contents request the dispatch of Mr. Perkins “as we have some business we wish him to attend tomorrow” and also ask for delivery of hardware ("2 small Bed Screws for a Gen. Mayo's trunk").
The ASCC reports Witherll's Express operating as a one-man express in 1847, this usage is in 1852.

Unused, OG, horizontal pair, imperforate between. It is genuine, previously hinged.

The cover with a horizontal file fold.

1 Pair and 3 Singles rejoined, all with horizontal creases and hinge joining, the left pair not separated.

Original gum, with a tiny thin, hinge remnant, and a tear at top right.

Figure 5 in Lyon's Article, N.J. LOCAL POSTS: Bayonne City Dispatch

Lyons records that there is only one recorded used example of this stationary entire.

Diagonal crease.

Small piece missing at bottom.