Adams City Express

This was a company which was founded by Alvin Adams (of Boston) and P B Burke in 1840 under the name of Burke and Co. P B Burke retired and Adams ran the company from as early as December 1841. The original company was established to run an express postal service between Boston and New York in the United States. It prospered and developed into the Adams Express Company. Adams started carrying small packets between the two cities via the Boston and Worcester Railroad and the Long Island steamboats. By 1842, after consolidation with Harnden and Co., Thompson and Co. and Kinsley and Co., the route was extended to Washington and by 1850 the service had been extended to the mining camps of California, which were crowded with people caught up in the 1849 gold rush.

On the 1st July 1854, the express expanded to South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama and Louisiana and by this date, Adams & Co. joined with other companies to form the Adams Express Company, with Alvin Adams as president.

Adhesive stamps were introduced and were first issued west of the Mississippi river. They appeared in a 2 cent value.

Forgeries exist of this stamp.