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.
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| 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
No frame breaks
This state appears to be uncommon
State 2
Noticeable frame breaks mid right and lower left
Probably the most common state
Probably the most common state
State 3
Also appears to be common
State 4
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
-The bag straps are very wavy
- Odd looking horse
Other Forgeries/Bogus stamps
Type 1
- Foot points down
- Single rein
- Horse head large and wide eye
Type 2
- Double reins
- Large winged ornament over Express
- Appears to be uncommon
Type 4
- Bag straps are single curve
- Top hat on rider
- Foot points at 45 angle
- Tulip shaped ornament above Express
- Fairly common
- Rider has cowboy hat
Type 5
- Single curved strap on bag
- Horse realistic
- Single heavy rein
- Heavy outer border
- Very uncommon
- Letters uneven in Express
- Florida letters are tall
Unlisted variety
- Ground lines extend to both borders
- Rider has wide brim hat
- Realistic horse
- Ornament above Express is a round ball
