Casey Jones Rail Road Unit of the ATA

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Trains on Private Express Labels and Stamps

Page 3

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

Click on any image below to view an enlarged version in a separate window

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 and 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
NORTHWESTERN EXPRESS CO. (1854-63?) Regional parcel express company that operated in Northern Iowa and Minnesota.
	Company: Northwestern Express Co. Type: Label, Imperf Year: ca. 1861 Size: 47.5x26 mm Color: Black/Orange Equipment: Very early steam locomotive, tender(?), passenger cars Mosher #: NWNX-L5
	Company: Northwestern Express Co. Type: Label, Imperf Year: ca. 1862 Size: 50x33 mm Color: Black/Orange Equipment: Very early steam locomotive, tender(?), passenger cars Mosher #: NWNX-L6
	Company: Northwestern Express Co. Type: Label, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 92x65 mm Color: Black/Green Equipment: Very early steam locomotive, tender(?), passenger cars Mosher #: NWNX-L10
PACIFIC EXPRESS COMPANY (1879-1911) Regional private mail and package express company that operated mainly west of the Mississippi River. It was formed from the Kansas Pacific and Union Pacific Express Companies and developed a strong business liaison with the United States Express Company to provide trans-continental express service. The Pacific Express Company was liquidated late in 1911 when Wells Fargo & Co. took over its remaining express routes.
	Company: Pacific Express Company Type: Corner Card, printed Year: ca. 1889 Size: 63x19 mm Color: Black Equipment: Baggage/freight car Mosher #: PACX-C1
	Company: Pacific Express Company Type: Label, H. Perf 12, V. Imperf. Year: Unknown Size: 59x20 mm Color: Black/White Equipment: Baggage/freight car Mosher #: PACX-L25
	Company: Pacific Express Company Type: Stamp, Perf. 12 Year: Unknown Size: 58x37 mm Color: Black/White Equipment: Steam locomotive and tender(?) Mosher #: PACX-S5
	Company: Pacific Express Company Type: Stamp, Roul. 7 Year: Unknown Size: 57x36.5 mm Color: Black/White Equipment: Steam locomotive and tender(?) Mosher #: PACX-S8
	Company: Pacific Express Company Type: Stamp, Roul. 7 Year: Unknown Size: 84x50 mm Color: Black/White Equipment: Baggage/freight car Mosher #: PACX-S10
	Company: Pacific Express Company Type: Stamp, Perf. 12 Year: ca. 1900 Size: 58x36.5 mm Color: Black/White Equipment: Steam locomotive and tender(?) Mosher #: PACX-S17
	Company: Pacific Express Company Type: Stamp, Roul. 7 Year: ca. 1900 Size: 57x36 mm Color: Black/White Equipment: Steam locomotive and tender(?) Mosher #: PACX-S18
	Company: Pacific Express Company Type: Stamp, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 100.5x62.5 mm Color: Black/Dull Gold Equipment: Baggage/freight car Mosher #: PACX-S30 Notes: This stamp exists in 7 denominations
	Company: Pacific Express Company Type: Stamp, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 99x63 mm Color: Black/Peach Equipment: Baggage/freight car Mosher #: PACX-S50 Notes: This stamp exists in 7 denominations
	Company: Pacific Express Company Type: Stamp, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 99x63 mm Color: Black/Dark Peach Equipment: Baggage/freight car Mosher #: PACX-S62 Notes: This stamp exists in 7 denominations, each on a different color paper
	Company: Pacific Express Company Type: Stamp, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 98x60 mm Color: Black/Light Brown Equipment: Baggage/freight car Mosher #: PACX-S71 Notes: This stamp exists in 7 denominations
	Company: Pacific Express Company Type: Stamp, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 69x50 mm Color: Black/Gray Equipment: Baggage/freight car Mosher #: PACX-S113 Notes: This stamp exists in 5 denominations, each on a different color paper
	Company: Pacific Express Company Type: Stamp, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 68.5x54.5 mm Color: Black/Dull Pink Equipment: Baggage/freight car Mosher #: PACX-S123 Notes: This stamp exists in 5 denominations, each on a different color paper
	Company: Pacific Express Company Type: Stamp, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 68x52 mm Color: Black/Aqua Equipment: Baggage/freight car Mosher #: PACX-S131 Notes: This stamp exists in 2 denominations, each on a different color paper
	Company: Pacific Express Company Type: Stamp, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 67.5x54 mm Color: Black/Aqua Equipment: Baggage/freight car Mosher #: PACX-S141 Notes: This stamp exists in 2 denominations, each on a different color paper
	Company: Pacific Express Company Type: Stamp, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 67x51? mm Color: Black/Aqua Equipment: Baggage/freight car Mosher #: PACX-S151 Notes: This stamp exists in 2 denominations, each on a different color paper
	Company: Pacific Express Company Type: Stamp, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 67x51 mm Color: Black/Peach Equipment: Baggage/freight car Mosher #: PACX-S160 Notes: This stamp exists in 2 denominations, each on a different color paper
	Company: Pacific Express Company Type: Stamp, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 68x51 mm Color: Black/Dull Pink Equipment: Baggage/freight car Notes: This stamp exists in 5 denominations, each on a different color paper Mosher #: PACX-S174
PEOPLE'S DISPATCH COMPANY (Dates unknown) Regional package express company that operated in the Washington, DC to Boston, Mass. corridor.
	Company: People's Dispatch Company Type: Label, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 51x28 mm Color: Black/White Equipment: 4-4-0 and tender Mosher #: PPDX-L1
POMEROY & CO'S EXPRESS (1841-44) Regional private mail and parcel express company that operated in New York state and into Canada. Founded in Spring, 1841 by George E. Pomeroy. Succeeded by the Livingston, Wells & Pomeroy Express.
	Company: Pomeroy & Co's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: Unknown Color: Black/Off White Equipment: Early steam locomotive, tender, baggage/freight car Mosher #: POMX-L1 Notes: Known only as a card proof
	Company: Pomeroy & Co's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: Unknown Color: Black/Off White Equipment: Early steam locomotive, tender, baggage/freight car Mosher #: POMX-L2 Notes: Known only as a card proof
	Company: Pomeroy & Co's Express Year: Unknown Size: Unknown Color: Black/Off White Equipment: Early steam locomotive, tender, baggage/freight car Mosher #: POMX-L3 Notes: Known only as a card proof
	Company: Pomeroy & Co's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: Unknown Color: Black/Off White Equipment: Early steam locomotive, tender, baggage/freight car Mosher #: POMX-L4 Notes: Known only as a card proof
	Company: Pomeroy & Co's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: 1843 Size: 38.5x38 mm Color: Black/Orange Equipment: Very early steam locomotive and tender(?) Mosher #: POMX-L10 Notes: Known with other colors of ink and paper. Reproductions/forgeries of this stamp abound. See also this page.
	Company: Pomeroy & Co's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: Forgery Size: 38x38.5 mm Color: Black/Tan Equipment: Very early steam locomotive and tender(?) Mosher #: POMX-L15 Notes: Known with other colors of ink and paper. Reproductions/forgeries of this stamp abound. See also this page.
PULLEN, VIRGIL & CO'S EXPRESS (1844-54?) Regional private mail and parcel(?) express company that operated between NYC, Montreal, and Quebec.
	Company: Pullen, Virgil & Co's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: ca. 1853 Size: 47x29 mm Color: Black/Red Equipment: Very early steam locomotive, tender, baggage/freight car(?) Mosher #: PVLX-L1
	Company: Pullen, Virgil & Co's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 46.5x29 mm Color: Black/Orange? Equipment: The illustration is too crude to say for sure what is represented here, but I see a pair of very early steam locomotives, facing in opposite directions, one at either end of the text at the bottom of the label. Mosher #: PVLX-L5
ROBERTS & CO'S EXPRESS (Dates unknown) Local private mail and parcel(?) express company that operated between Philadelphia and Norristown, Pa.
	Company: Roberts & Co's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 49x44.5 mm Color: Black/Orange Equipment: Very early steam locomotive with two passenger cars. Mosher #: RBTX-L1
SAVORY & CO'S EXPRESS (Dates unknown) Local private mail and parcel express company that operated between Boston and Salem, Mass.
	Company: Savory & Co's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: ca. 1858 Size: 84x46 mm Color: Black/Orange Equipment: Early steam locomotive at right, early rail carriage at left. Mosher #: SAVX-L15
SHATTUCK & SMYLIE'S EXPRESS (1851) Local package express company that operated between Easton and Philadelphia, Pa.
	Company: Shattuck & Smylie's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: 1851 Size: Unknown Color: Black/Light Green Equipment: Very early steam locomotive with two carriages Mosher #: S&SX-L1
THOMPSON & CO'S EXPRESS (Dates unknown) Regional private mail and parcel express company that operated between Albany, NY and Boston, Mass. and in the New England area.
	Company: Thompson & Co's Express Type: Corner Card, printed Year: Unknown Size: 50.5x33.5 mm Color: Red, Blue Equipment: Steam Locomotive, tender, baggage/freight car Mosher #: THMX-C1
	Company: Thompson & Co's Express Type: Label, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 42x50 mm Color: Black/Light Green Equipment: Early steam locomotive, tender(?), passenger car Mosher #: THMX-L15
UNITED STATES EXPRESS COMPANY (1854-1914) Regional (trans-continental when it teamed with the Pacific Express Co.) parcel express company that was started on May 1, 1854. This company operated mainly in the northern states from New York City to Denver, but not in New England. The U.S. Express Company was a large and prosperous company, usually being considered the third largest of the four greatest express companies. Thomas C. Platt was President of the U.S. Express Co. from 1880 to 1910. His facsimile signature appears on many company stamps issued in that time frame. The eventual control of express rates by the Interstate Commerce Commission plus the competition from the 1913 USPOD Parcel Post System caused insurmountable business problems for this once great company. The U.S. Express Co. folded and was liquidated on June 30, 1914. Its remaining express lines were then divided among the Adams, American and Wells Fargo Express Companies.
	Company: United States Express Company Type: Label, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 121x84 mm Color: Black/Orange Equipment: Early 4-4-0 with tender, baggage/freight car Mosher #: USX-L380
WELLS & CO'S EXPRESS - East (Dates unknown) Regional private mail express company that operated between Buffalo, NY and NYC.
	Company: Wells & Co's Express - East Type: Label, Imperf Year: Unknown Size: 77x49.5 mm Color: Black/Orange Equipment: Early steam locomotive and carriage Mosher #: WLSX-L1
	Company: Wells & Co's Express - East Type: Label, Imperf Year: ca. 1848-49 Size: 40x25 mm Color: Black/Orange Equipment: Early steam locomotive and passenger car Mosher #: WLSX-L5 Notes: Known on other colors of paper

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