Pony Express, San Francisco, Dec. 5 (1860). Blue Running Pony oval datestamp struck twice on 10¢ Pale Green on Buff Nesbitt rebacked front (U16a) addressed to Lucien Birdseye, 39 Wall Street, New York City, dark blue "The Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company, San Francisco, Cal." dateless oval handstamp and pencil "1/2" half-ounce weight notation ($5.00 rate), carried on the Pony trip departing San Francisco on Wednesday, December 5, 1860, and arriving at St. Joseph 14 days later on December 19--a longer journey due to winter weather--entered mails with "Saint Joseph Mo. Dec. 21" double-circle datestamp and grid cancel on embossed stamp, flaps professionally added

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF SIX RECORDED PONY EXPRESS COVERS (OR FRONTS) WITH A DOUBLE STRIKE OF THE SAN FRANCISCO RUNNING PONY OVAL.

The FKW census lists six covers with the San Francisco Running Pony oval struck twice, all eastbound: E16, E38, E45 (offered here), E55 (second strike half complete), E87 (to Prince Edward Island, faint strike on stamps) and E108 (part strike on $2.00 Horse & Rider stamp).

The addressee, the Honorable Lucien Birdseye (1821-1896), was a prominent New York City attorney and State Supreme Court Justice.

FKW Census E45. Illustrated in Frajola-Kramer-Walske, The Pony Express: A Postal History (page 32). With 1979 P.F. certificate.

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