Early Tustin, California, Cover
The worldwide members of the Western Cover Society collect and study Western (United States) postal history including covers, expresses such as Wells Fargo, territorials, town cancellations, and everything else pertaining to the mails of the West – most anything west of the Mississippi.
Thumb Drive Containing All Western Express Issues
NOTE: the Society is now selling a thumb drive containing electronic copies of all issues of the publication Western Express since 1950. Follow the above link for pricing and ordering information. Non-members pay considerably more for the thumb drive, so if you have any interest in Western history and especially postal history, this offer is a very good inducement to join this organization.
In addition to an opportunity to order the back issues, the Society webpage has a number of interesting exhibits and scans of western postal history, as well as other information to enhance the study of Old West covers.
California Town Postmarks
The Society has supported compilation of a catalog of all California postmarks from 1849 through 1935, illustrated with tracings. This was first published serially in Western Express over several years. The full book, authored by John Williams and published in 1997, appears to be out of print. Check with the American Philatelic Research Library using their Union Catalog. (Search for the author “John Williams” and you should see copies from a number of philatelic libraries.
You may also search online for a used copy.
Additional Information
Membership in the Western Cover Society includes a subscription to the quarterly publication, Western Express.
Dues amounts can be found on the Society webpage, along with interactive payment methods to join online.