1887 – “A Modern Pony Express” – An express label used to send to local deliveries of letters and package by mounted messenger boys throughout metropolitan Newark, N.J. to include New York City

Unbound. Very good. This rare express label (Scott #66L1) was issued by the Jabez Fearey & Company’s Mustang Post in 1887. These 1.5” x 1” labels were printed without a monetary value, so they were not considered by the U.S. Post Office to be illegal stamps or in violation of any laws. They were printed on semi-glazed orange paper, and the few surviving examples have oxidized to varying degrees over time. The oxidation on this label has formed an attractive border around the edge of the stamp without obscuring its central image of a messenger boy riding a horse. In nice shape.

This is the only style label issued by the company, and it (truncated) was valued at 5-cents. . Little is known about the Mustang Express or its method of operation. What is known is that Jabes Fearey, the Newark agent for the Pacific and Atlantic Telegraph Company briefly attempted to run a mounted delivery boy service that he named the Mustang Express. He purchased 50 mustang ponies during the spring of 1887 and first printed these labels on 21 June 1887. Regardless of whether the object to be delivered was an envelope or small package, Fearey charged 10-cents (two labels) for delivery within one-mile of his office at Broadway & Market Streets in Newark. For city deliveries over one-mile, the fee was 20-cents (four labels). Special rates applied for deliveries to New York City.

Although two used envelopes bearing this label exist, their legitimacy has been questioned, and they may well be forgeries. Regardless, records confirm Mustang Express deliveries were made within Newark and to Woodside, Bellville, Irvington, the Oranges, Roseville, East Newark, Harrison, Waverly, Elizabeth, and New York City.

(For more information, see “Feary’s Mustang Express (ca. 1887-1888) in Vol 33, No 2 in the Journal of the New Jersey Postal History Society.) . (Inventory #: 010442)