U.S. 3¢ Star Die entire #U26 -  American Letter Express Co. southbound to Mann S. Valentine in Richmond Va., sender's routing "Via Nashville, Tenn.", manuscript "Collect Chgs 55¢ Due Winston & Johnston" and "Pd 2/- Ch" (two bits, or 25¢ express fee), This originated in Europe, based on the two enclosures: an envelope addressed to "Mrs. E. A. V. Gray, Care of M. S. Valentine, Richmond, Va., America" and slip of paper with notation "Pay postage 30¢, Express charge 25 [Total] 55. John P. Winston". Very Fine. An outstanding Southbound thru-the lines express cover that originated in Europe and was carried by the American Letter Express Company from Louisville to Nashville . Based on the "Pay postage 30¢" notation on the enclosure, it is surmised that the original letter was mailed from Europe to the United States. It was directed to Winston & Johnston, who are listed in the 1861 Williams' Cincinnati directory ("WINSTON & JOHNSTON, John P. W. & AVm. B.J., Wholesale Dry Goods, 113 W. Pearl"). John P. Winston apparently arranged to have the American Letter Express Company carry the letter across the lines to Nashville, where it entered the C.S.A. mails for Richmond. The addressee, Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Valentine Gray, was the daughter of Mann S. Valentine and the wife of William Gray. Later in the war, letters were sent by blockade runners from Europe to Mann S. Valentine, Elizabeth A. V. Gray and William Gray.Special Routes Census No. S-AX-26. Ex-Walske. $2,500.