Postal History of John Butterfield's Overland Mail Co. on the Southern & Central Routes including Butterfield's Pony Express 1858-1864

"""The book offers a complete story of the Overland Mail, both Ox Bow and Central Routes, complexities not always understood. Relationships to the Pony Express and Wells Fargo are clarified. Lots of full color illustrations. Lots of contemporary articles and ads. The book gives life to a difficult subject."" Dr. Gordon Nelson, Florida Tech, Melbourne, Florida _________________________________________________________________________""Bob Crossman's latest book, Postal History of John Butterfield's Overland Mail Co. on the Southern & Central Routes including Butterfield's Pony Express 1858-1864, is an indispensable resource to any collector or historian seeking to understand the challenges and triumphs of mail delivery in the western United States during the middle of the 19th Century.Profusely illustrated with numerous, detailed route maps, contemporary photographs, drawings, original source documents, colored and black and white engravings and - to delight of postal history collectors - a wide variety of domestic and international covers carried ""Via Overland Mail"", Crossman's book is both a gold mine of American and philatelic history and a pleasure to read."" Don Chenevert, Jr., APS Life Member_________________________________________________________________________""Bob Crossman has compiled a large number of original documents into a fascinating collection, providing an in-depth understanding of the history and operation of the Butterfield Overland Mail Company's stage line and other components of the postal service prior to the completion of the transcontinental railroad. It's a resource I'm pleased to have on my bookshelf."" Susan Dragoo, Oklahoma Historian_________________________________________________________________________""This book is well written and the use of color adds much to the pleasure of readers. Bob has researched and published yet another book packed with great graphics, thoroughly documented sources, and an in-depth look into his topic. The best part of these books? They are INTERESTING to read. Between the color, maps, sketches, photos etc, reading them is almost like having a great lunch buffet"" Teresa Harris, Ouachita County, Arkansas Historian; Co-Editor of the Ouachita County Historical Society Quarterly; and Administrator, Ouachita County Historical Society Facebook Page_________________________________________________________________________""Bob Crossman explores the audacious history of John Butterfield's Overland Mail Co. with lively prose and vivid narrative. The comprehensive history is delightfully detailed with copious illustrations and newly published research. This fascinating, accurate and exciting book should be of interest to all US western postal history researchers and enthusiasts."" Joe Cody, President, Arizona & New Mexico Postal History Society_________________________________________________________________________""Bob Crossman's chapter on The Overland Mail Company's Pony Express is informative. Unlike most histories of the Pony Express, it does not rely on sentimental or romantic notions of the service. Rather, it sticks to the facts, quoting extensively from primary and secondary sources. It is a good source of information for anyone who wants to learn more about this aspect of the famous enterprise."" Scott Alumbaugh, A"