Philatelic Listing: 1960 Pony Express Special Dispatch Cachet - Gardner & Fitchburg, MA

Rare Local Event Postmark: 1960 Pony Express Special Dispatch Cover with Cachet This is a unique piece of American philatelic and local history, commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Pony Express with a special, non-official mail run between Fitchburg and Gardner, Massachusetts on July 4, 1960. Details of the Lot: The Cover (Postcard/Envelope): Postmark/Cancellation: A clear, deep purple, circular postmark reading: FITCHBURG MASS JUL 4 1960, verifying the date of the event. Special Cachet: A prominent, hand-stamped purple cachet featuring a stylized running Pony Express Rider in an oval, with the text "PONY EXPRESS SPECIAL DISPATCH", "JULY 4 1960", and the cities "GARDNER" and "FITCHBURG." Stamp: Features the U.S. Scott #1154 4¢ Seato-Map of the World commemorative stamp (Scott #1154), postmarked on the date of the special dispatch. Recipient: The card is hand-addressed to Mr. [First Name] Kavumaki, 60 Draper Road, Gardner, Mass. Item Type: Non-official Mail Cover (also known as a privately-produced commemorative cover). The Descriptive Insert Card (Top Piece): A matching small card explaining the event: "This specially designed cachet will be used to stamp the special dispatches carried from Fitchburg to Gardner July 4 in a reenactment of the Pony Express. An armed and sworn in member of the possee in Ashburnham will be the rider. He will carry greetings from Fitchburg officials to Gardner officials. His run to the common will be followed by a band, parade, etc. Waving a bandanna will be the signal for the giant parade to begin. The U.S. Post Office is observing the Centennial of the founding of the Pony Express this year. The cachet bears the figure of an express rider, the words July 4, 1960, in the upper center, Gardner in the upper left-hand corner and Fitchburg in the lower left." Collector Significance: This item is highly desirable to collectors of: Philatelic Covers & Cachets: For the attractive, non-standard purple cachet and the clear, dated postmark. Pony Express Memorabilia: For its tie to the 1960 Centennial, which saw numerous local and national celebrations. (Note: This is not a First Day Cover for the official Pony Express stamp, which was issued later that month in the West, but a piece related to a local reenactment). Local Massachusetts History: Specifically for collectors interested in the towns of Gardner and Fitchburg, MA. Condition: Excellent for its age (60+ years). Clean surfaces, clear postmarks and cachet stamps. Sold as a two-piece set (Cover and Descriptive Insert).