Auction Date:2009 Jun 24 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Location:6270 Este Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45232, United States
approx. 1.5" x 3", on heavy paper stock, with orange "wash" and printed on one side only, Good for One Meal at any Station on the Overland Stage Line. Relatively "cheap" construction, since they would have been destroyed when redeemed - truly the meaning of "ephemera."
The company billed itself as Carrying the Great Through Mail between the Atlantic and Pacific States. Ben Holladay is listed as propietor. Holladay owned Overland Stage from 1862 (as sole proprietor) until Feb. 1866, when the addition of Butterfield Stage Lines created the Overland Mail and Express Company. This meal ticket probably dates from that 4-year period.
From the 1850s until the coming of the railroads, stage lines were the only commercial transport available in the West. They were capital-intensive, however, requiring not only stages and horses, but stations, station attendants, drivers, conductors, and all manner of repair personnel from ferriers to wheelwrights and cartwrights. One also needed regular supply routes to get needed "fixin's" to the stations. Not surprisingly, many companies failed, some went broke before becoming operational.
Ben Holladay would make it, for a decade anyway, becoming known as "King of Stage Lines." His original fortune came as a freighter, so he had parts of the network in place, and was known and trusted in places such as Salt Lake City. A major part of the Overland Stage Line's income was from government contracts for mail transport, particularly after Holladay bought the unprofitable Pony Express in 1862. Two of Holladay's mail contracts reportedly paid him nearly $6 million in his first four years. He was able to maintain a number of residences, including one in Washington in which he stayed while lobbying the government for additional subsidies. Apparently it was worthwhile. Holladay eventually sold out for just under $2 million to Henry Wells and William Fargo. Later Holladay attempted to construct a rail line, the Oregon and California Railroad. The financial Panic of 1873 and subsequent stock market collapse cost him most of his fortune. [see also: www.wyomingtalesandtrails.com/stagelines.html]
An exceptional stagecoach rarity. While passes seem to appear on the market on occasion, we have seen very few meal tickets.
The Thomas Minckler Collection of Western Americana
Condition: Worn, some print faint.
Auction Location:
6270 Este Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45232, United States
Previewing Details:
Tuesday, June 23, 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday, June 24 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Taxes:
| Tax | Rate | Desc. |
| Ohio |
5.5% |
Ohio State Tax |
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
17.5% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Cowan's is happy to provide a shipping estimate in advance of the auction. We have partnered with an outside shipper - Wrap-It Postal. Their services to our respected customers are based inside the Cowans facility.Please contact Wrap-It Postal by email at shipping@cowans.com, or call 513.871.1670 (ext.19). You can also submit a request for an online quote . All shipping and packing costs will be charged separately by Wrap-It Postal to your credit card on file.
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The purchase price for each lot shall equal the hammer price, buyer's premium, sales tax and, if applicable, all packing, handling, insurance and shipping costs. Payment may be made with cash, personal or traveler's check, Visa or MasterCard.
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The purchase price for each lot shall equal the hammer price, buyer's premium, sales tax and, if applicable, all packing, handling, insurance and shipping costs. Payment may be made with cash, personal or traveler's check, Visa or MasterCard.
Buyers who are present at the auction must pay the full purchase price at the time of the sale. Buyers who bid by telephone or who are absentee bidders will be invoiced within 5 days after the close of the auction and must pay the full purchase price for each purchased lot within 14 days after the date of the auction. By signing the absentee bid form or placing an absentee bid by telephone, an absentee bidder authorizes Cowan's to charge the purchase price (hammer price, plus buyer's premium) for each lot for which such bidder is the successful bidder to the credit card number provided by telephone or on the absentee bid form, unless payment in full or alternative payment instruction is received within 14 days after the date of the auction. No property will be released by Cowan's unless the purchase price has been paid in full.
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15) SHIPPING
Cowan's is happy to provide a shipping estimate in advance of the auction. We have partnered with an outside shipper - Wrap-It Postal. Their services to our respected customers are based inside the Cowans facility.Please contact Wrap-It Postal by email at shipping@cowans.com, or call 513.871.1670 (ext.19). You can also submit a request for an online quote . All shipping and packing costs will be charged separately by Wrap-It Postal to your credit card on file.
Cowan's is in no way responsible for the acts or omissions of independent handlers, packers or shippers of purchased items or for any loss, damage or delay from the packing or shipping of any property.
ADVICE TO INTERNATIONAL BUYERS: Cowan's will not ship any package containing a firearm to any location other than within the United States. Buyers outside the United States must make their own shipping arrangements taking full risk for the transportation of any firearm.
16) SHIPPING CHARGES
Buyers are required to pay for all packing, shipping and insurance charges. Overseas duty charges are the responsibility of the successful bidder. Be aware that for larger and/or valuable items, shipping charges can be substantial.
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If purchased property has not been removed, or Cowan's has not received shipping instructions within 21 days after the auction date, a $10 per item per day storage fee may be charged to the buyer.
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