US Locals - Taylor Florida Express

 The Florida Express stamps were most likely fantasies inspired by the Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express stamps issued in 1860

These stamps were listed in 1864, both in the fifth edition of Mount Brown's "Catalogue of British, Colonial, and Foreign Postage Stamps" and in Moens "Le Timbre-Poste".

There is still debate over them being legitimate issues but more evidence says they are bogus issues.

Moens Catalog 1864

S. Allan Taylor Type III is the most prolific and probably patterned after a Moens design. 

- A key feature is the protrusion on the upper left of the "o" in "Florida"

- The Taylor fakes clearly show two reins

- The foot of the rider is perpendicular to the ground. 

- The ground ends at the front left hoof

These stamps were made in great numbers and as the dies wore out they produced some 5 different "states" of printing

State 1

The details are fine

No frame breaks

This state appears to be uncommon

State 2

Details are getting blotchy

Noticeable frame breaks mid right and lower left
Probably the most common state

State 3

Dies were retouched but more breaks appear

Also appears to be common

State 4

Called the "moving state"

Lines and flaws around the horse give the impression of motion

Seems uncommon

State 5

Very worn plate

Details lost

Large dark blotches

Fairly common

Other Forgeries/Bogus stamps

Type 1

-The bag straps are very wavy

- Foot points down

- Single rein

Type 2

- Horse head large and wide eye

- Double reins

- Large winged ornament over Express

- Appears to be uncommon

Type 4

- Odd looking horse

- Bag straps are single curve

- Top hat on rider

- Foot points at 45 angle

- Tulip shaped ornament above Express

- Fairly common

Type 5

- Rider has cowboy hat

- Single curved strap on bag

- Horse realistic

- Single heavy rein

- Heavy outer border

- Very uncommon

- Letters uneven in Express

Unlisted variety

- Florida letters are tall

- Ground lines extend to both borders

- Rider has wide brim hat

- Realistic horse

- Ornament above Express is a round ball