Favor’s Express
Colonel Hiram S. Favor was a native of Eastport, Maine. In 1849, he established an express with offices in Boston, Portland, Eastport, and St. John, New Brunswick.
Black on Orange Label
Eastport, Maine, June 25, 1849, out of the mails use via steamer Admiral to Boston. 45mm x 31½mm black on orange Favor’s Express adhesive label. The orange on black label is only reported used in 1849. Letter requests 10 pounds of Lapland seed to be sent by Favor’s Express on the steamer Admiral.
Boxed Handstamp Marking
St. John, New Brunswick, July 8, 1850, dateline, carried by Favor’s Express outside the mails per Maid of Erin from St. John to Eastport, where it was transferred to the Admiral to Boston. Enters the mails at Boston on July 11, 1850, with a straightline "STEAM" marking, and is rated 10¢ due for distance over 300 miles, as if carried by land from Eastport to New York. This 30mm x 25 mm boxed handstamp is reported used in 1850.
Triple-Circle Handstamp Marking
St. John, New Brunswick, August 9, 1851, dateline, carried by Favor’s Express outside the mails per steamer Creole from St. John to Eastport, where it was transferred to the Admiral to Boston. Enters the mails at Boston on August 9, 1851, with a straightline "STEAM" marking, and is rated 5¢ due as an unpaid letter to New York.
In 1851, Favor's Express replaced the boxed handstamp marking with a 33mm triple circle handstamp marking. The new marking indicated that Favor’s Express had moved its Boston office from the 2 State St. location listed in the boxed handstamp to 10 Court Street.
Manuscript Marking
St. John, New Brunswick, June 24, 1851 dateline, carried by Favor’s Express outside the mails per steamer Creole from St. John to Eastport, where it was transferred to the Admiral to Boston. Enters the mails at Boston on June 27, 1851, with a straightline "STEAM" marking, and is rated 20¢ due as a double weight letter for distance over 300 miles, rated as if carried by land from Eastport to New York. "Favor’s Express" manuscript marking at lower left. The letter was also struck with the 33mm triple circle handstamp on back.
Steamer Admiral Route Agent Marking
Cover handed directly to Col. Favor, as steamboat letter carrier on the Admiral at the dock in St. John, New Brunswick. Col. Favor postmarked the cover with his U.S. EXPRESS MAIL ST. JOHN, N.B., May 26, 1856 route agent marking. Col. Favor also backstamped the cover with his unofficial "FAVOR’S EXPRESS STEAMER ADMIRAL" 34mm marking. This marking is highly unusual as it was used while Col. Favor was a United States Post Office route agent.
Favor's Express Consignee Letter
Unknown origin, but most likely St. John, New Brunswick, July 15, 1859, consignee's letter to Boston, Massachusetts. Endorsed “Favor’s Express Deliver.” No postal markings, docketing at left notes “Diaries of Sir Peabody.” Envelope most likely contained the bill of lading for a package carried out of the mails by Favor’s Express.
Closed Mail Via Windsor, Nova Scotia
Halifax, Nova Scotia, August 16, 1859, pair 3d blue 1857, pays the treaty rate to New York, New York. Partial strike of "New Brunswick" marking added at exchange office. From 1856 through 1861, Nova Scotia paid an annual grant to Colonel Favor to carry mail for Canada and the United States by closed bag. Endorsed "per Favor's Express" and carried by closed bag from Windsor, Nova Scotia to St. John, New Brunswick. 19 covers recorded with two 3d stamps of either printing.