Original Civil War Adams Express Co. Advertising Flyer (SOLD)

This is another rare piece being offered, it is an original Civil War Advertising Flyer for the Adams Express Co. It is on thin period paper and measures 8” x 5”. In part it reads “Prompt Attention given to Transportation of Soldiers Packages Between Northern States and Federal Camps South and West”.

Adams Express became a household (and battlefield) name during the Civil War (see period photo). In 1845 the government ruled that only the U.S. post office could carry letters for a fee, but Adams shipped just about anything else through its offices. Both armies expressed money to pay the soldiers. Arms, uniforms, and flags were shipped from factories and supply depots. Soldiers sent packets of money home for family upkeep and received packages from home, even bodies of fallen soldiers were expressed home.

Being somewhat fragile, it is amazing that this rare piece survived for so many years. This was the result of being put away in a trunk since the war. Anyone in the mid-19^th century were aware of Adams Express, it was similar as todays UPS and FedEx. It would go great with a soldier’s personal effects or even framed.