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U.S. Comm. Cover - Bicycle Mail 1944 [187206]

Currency:USD Category:Stamps / United States - Covers Start Price:10.00 USD Estimated At:50.00 - 80.00 USD
U.S. Comm. Cover - Bicycle Mail 1944 [187206]
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U.S. souvenir cover commemorating the Golden Jubilee (1894-1944) of the advent of Bicycle Mail, postmarked 1944. Autographed by Arthur Banta, beneath his photo on front cachet. Banta was the initiator of the Bicycle Mail Route, a mail service between Fresno & San Francisco consisting of 8 bicycle relays to convey the mail over 210 miles. The service ran from July 7 through July 16, 1894, to transport the mail during the Pullman strike, which caused a postal failure. The Pullman strike started May 11, 1894 & spread to the American Railway Union which declared a boycott of all Pullman cars on June 26. The strike was violent & interrupted much railroad activity, especially the mail West of Chicago. The strike ended July 15, 1894, & train service was quickly restored. Banta owned the Victor Cyclery store in Fresno & was active with the American Wheelman Co. in San Francisco. He was not a stamp collector but quickly became aware that there was considerable interest in the stamps & covers for the collector market. Cover includes Bicycle Mail commemorative seal, 1944 SF postmark, transcontinental railroad adhesive stamp, & rectangular handstamp, "Edwin R. Payne/29c/Salem Oregon". Payne was a noted postal historian & author of philatelic works. Banta's Oakland address hand stamped on verso. [