This set consists of four pieces. First, is a 1940 First Day Cover “Commemorating the Eightieth Anniversary of the Pony Express. Left St. Joseph, Mo. April 3, 1860. Arrived at San Francisco, Calif. on April 14th. Distance 1966 Miles in 11 Days.” It has been signed neatly on the front by “Broncho Charlie Miller 1940.” Who was Charlie Miller? Well that is what the next piece in the set describes. He was the last of the living Pony Express Riders alive. The letter relates the exciting facts of Charlie’s life:
“He appeared at the British Pavilion New York at a Philatelic
meeting as guest of Honour Sunday July 28th, and gave the
following particulars about himself.
He was born on the last day of the year 1849 (91 years old)
born in a covered Wagon, rode his first Pony Express, at the age of
eleven in an emergency. The rider whose place he took had been
killed by Indians the riders horse arrived at the Express post
covered in blood. There was no one to take the place for the
return journey, eventually this boy of eleven was allowed to take
it and after his successful journey, was appointed as an official
rider for the Pony Express. On one occasion he was attacked by
Indians and arrives in his post twenty minutes late with three
arrows sticking in his wrist and body.
He actually carried President Lincolns address on one
of his journeys.
During the last war he was too old to join the American
army so he journeyed to Canada gave a false age. Joined the
Canadians saw service in France under Sir Douglas Haige.
At a review of the Troops, Sir Douglas spotted him and
talked to him and remarked. Good God we have the oldest man
in the British Army with us and he was correct.
At this meeting July 28th 1940, Bronco Charlie Miller,
appeared in a Pony Express Uniform, and spoke for thirty
minutes and appeared to be very strong and healthy young
man, you could not possibly have called him an old man by
any means in spite of his age 91 years.
Signed F. H. Roper
Seaton
Leigh Road
Fareham
Hants
At present at The Worlds Fair F. H. Roper (signature)
New York.
Next, there are two large silver medals. The first minted in 1960 to commemorate the beginning of the Pony Express 100 years earlier. On the front is pictured a rider on horseback and on the reverse, the founders of the Pony Express, Mr. Russell, Mr. Majors, and Mr. Waddell. The second medal commemorates the termination of the Pony Express. It was terminated on October 24, 1861, when the telegraph began. The Pony Express ran from St. Joseph, Mo. to Sacramento, California. As a pair, these medals minted a year apart, are rarely encountered. Most were probably melted down during the great Hunt Brothers silver madness, when silver coins sold for 25x face value! We are told that each of these medals sells for $350 plus at coin shows (but are rarely encountered!). Thus, we are offering an exciting collection of four pieces perfect for an old west or postal history display!
Cover with descriptive letter - $395
Two Medals - $495
#W5 – As a set- $795
