Old Covers: Windows into Lives Past

Stamp collecting isn’t just about the stamps themselves – it’s about the stories they tell. Old covers, like the one featured here, connect us to lives long gone, revealing glimpses of love, ambition, and even scandal. They give us the chance to hold a piece of history in our hands, immersing us in the drama and humanity of those who came before us. It’s this intersection of discovery and storytelling that makes stamp collecting so rewarding and fun.

Scandal, Love, and a Historic Pony Express Cover

This Virginia City Pony Express cover carried more than mail – it carries the weight of a scandal that rocked 19th-century America. Sent to Clara C. Crittenden in 1864, it bears the scarce Pony Express stamp (US #143L9), but the true story lies in the lives behind it. It’s a tale of ambition, forbidden love, and murder – a letter from a husband with a secret that would unravel in the most dramatic way possible…

A Letter Between Two Lives

The letter inside was written by Alexander Parker Crittenden, a well-known attorney whose Southern sympathies shaped his life and career. After building a successful law practice and becoming a key figure in California politics, his refusal to swear loyalty to the Union during the Civil War forced him to relocate to Virginia City, Nevada Territory.

There, he worked amidst the bustling mining scene while his wife, Clara, remained in San Francisco to raise their children. The Pony Express became their lifeline, bridging the distance and allowing Alexander to stay connected to his family through heartfelt letters like the one enclosed…

An Affair… With Laura Fair

It was in Virginia City that Alexander met Laura Fair, the owner of the Tahoe House Hotel. What began as a romance turned into a years-long affair, with Laura believing he was single. When she discovered he was married, Alexander promised to leave Clara – a promise he never kept.

By 1870, things had reached a breaking point. Laura learned Alexander was reuniting with Clara, and on a ferry ride from Oakland to San Francisco, she confronted him.

With Clara beside him, and their son nearby, Laura pulled a gun and shot Alexander in the chest! He died the next day, leaving behind a family shattered by the tragedy.  Their son later went on to recall the scene:

“Pa went over on the next boat and Mrs. Fair went over on the same boat, in disguise and without Pa’s knowledge. Pa came off the boat and met us on the wharf and escorted Ma on board. Mrs. Fair watched where Pa sat down and waited until I went down to attend to the baggage, when she walked up to Pa and saying something drew a pistol and shot him in the right side, he sat still a minute as if stunned and then slid down upon the deck insensible.”

The Trial of the Century

Laura’s trial became front-page news, with every detail of the affair laid bare. Her defense argued she acted in a fit of temporary insanity caused by severe menstrual pain, while the prosecution painted her as a manipulative woman who seduced Crittenden and sought revenge when he didn’t leave his wife. The jury ultimately found her guilty of murder, and she was sentenced to hang on July 28, 1871.

However, Laura’s case caught the attention of prominent suffragettes, including Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who visited her in jail and publicly supported her.

They, along with Emily Pitts Stevens, founder of the California Woman Suffrage Association, helped champion her appeal. The conviction was overturned on the grounds of prejudice, and Laura was granted a retrial.

Though the press decried the decision as a “shameful miscarriage of justice,” Laura was acquitted in her second trial. Despite her freedom, the sensational case left a lasting mark on all involved and became a touchstone in debates about justice, gender, and morality in 19th-century America.

This Wells Fargo & Co. Virginia City Pony Express cover is a remarkable piece of postal history. It features a 25¢ Red stamp (US #143L9), Position A4, with full to large margins and rich color, tied by a blue “Wells, Fargo & Co. Virginia City N.T. Jul. 12 (1864)” oval datestamp on a 3¢ Pink on White entire (US #U34). 
A 1981 Philatelic Foundation Certificate accompanies this cover. It’s been protected by archival-quality encapsulation – using the same material used by the Smithsonian National Postal Museum.

In exceptionally fine condition for its age, this cover is a treasure in its own right. The 25¢ Red Virginia City Pony Express stamp is a scarce gem, especially on cover, and its pristine preservation only enhances its value. 
The fact that this piece has survived all this time – and carries such a dramatic story – makes it truly special. It’s rare to find something that brings the past so vividly to life, giving us a glimpse into the tales of those who came before us.

Through its journey, we catch a glimpse of the people and events that shaped the past, from a husband’s poignant letter to a scandal that captivated the nation. Stories like this remind us why stamp collecting is such a rich and rewarding pursuit. Every cover, every stamp, carries its own tale, waiting to be discovered, preserved, and cherished by those who understand the timeless connections they represent.

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