1855 10c Metropolitan Errand & Carrier Express Company, Red Orange on Thin to Medium Wove Paper

Own 1855 Local Stamp – a Piece of Postal History

Stamp #107L3 was produced for the Metropolitan Errand & Carrier Express Company. It was intended to prepay the fee for letters, newspapers, or small parcels that fit into the company’s postal box. This 10¢ stamp was one of four denominations printed by the banknote engraving company, Baldwin, Bald & Cousland. The shield image is similar to that used on banknotes.
The company was established by Abraham Hinkley in 1855 as A.M. Hinkley’s Express Co. When he took on two partners, the name was changed to the Metropolitan Errand & Carrier Express Co. By 1857, the successful service reported they had delivered more than 380,000 letters the previous year.

Local post stamps like this one are a fascinating corner of American philately. They tell the story of a time when postal delivery was contested ground, with private carriers competing against — and sometimes clashing with — the official postal system. This local stamp is a tangible piece of New York City postal history from one of the city's successful stamp-issuing enterprises. Order yours today.