1844 5c Pomeroy's Letter Express, Red on Thin Bond Paper

Pomeroy’s Local Stamp is Piece of Postal History

This stamp was intended for use on mail traveling by Pomeroy’s Letter Express. Established by George Pomeroy in 1844, the service carried pre-paid letters between the New York cities of Buffalo, Albany, and New York. The stamps were sold in sheets of 20 for $1, making Pomeroy’s service less expensive and more efficient than the Post Office. He paved the way for the US government to issue the first pre-paid stamp in 1847.

The stamps were printed by John E. Gavit, Pomeroy’s brother-in-law. His name can be seen on the bottom of the stamp design. Various colors and papers were used to print the stamps. #117L5 was printed in red on thin bond paper.

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 postal history from one of the state's successful stamp-issuing enterprises.