Offered here is an original, authentic advertisement (9 1/8" x 6 1/2", H x W) dating from circa 1876 - 1878 of two companies, one on each side of the sheet:

(1)   The Western Union Telegraph Company, an American communications giant that dominated the telegraph industry for over a century before evolving into a global financial and money-transfer service. The ad lists the stations on the Pacific Railroad where telegrams could be sent “at a short distance from the Depots.” The readers or “Overland Travelers” are told to “Ask for the WESTERN UNION, and look out for the Blue and White Sign. It then lists 49 stations, from Omaha to Sacramento where the wires of the Western Union Telegraph Company reach.

(2)   On the reverse of the sheet is an advertisement for the Sweetwater Stage Line, informing readers that “New Eldorado! The Big Horn and Wind River Country is reached by the Sweetwater Stage Line.” It goes on to state, “Daily stages connect with the Union Pacific Railroad at Green River, thence via Pacific Springs ….” Signed (i.e., printed): A. E Bradbury, Supt., Green River, Wy. Ter. And S. S. Huntley, General Manager.

History of the Western Union Telegraph Company & of the Sweetwater Stage Line

Founded in 1851: Started in Rochester, New York, as the New York and Mississippi Valley Printing Telegraph Company by Ezra Cornell, Hiram Sibley, and Samuel Selden.

Renamed in 1856: Changed name to the Western Union Telegraph Company after merging with competing regional lines.

Transcontinental Line (1861): Built the first unified transcontinental telegraph line, linking the American East and West coasts and rendering the Pony Express obsolete.

The Sweetwater Stage Line operated primarily during the late 19th century, running through the historic South Pass region of Wyoming. Historical accounts from the late 1870s and 1880s document its regular service.

Route: The stage line ran a critical route through the Rocky Mountains, connecting Green River (on the Union Pacific Railway) north to Fort Washakie, Wyoming, via Pacific Springs and the South Pass.

Operational Challenges: Traveling this mountain corridor was notoriously dangerous; historic news reports from January 1883 detailed a severe blizzard that trapped a Sweetwater Stage Line coach, tragically resulting in the driver freezing to death.

A. E. Bradbury served as the superintendent of the old stage line operating between Green River and South Pass soon after the Civil War. Historical references indicate that his role as superintendent in Green River concluded or transitioned right around late February 1878, when contemporary regional updates noted he would be departing the post "in a few days"

S. S. Huntley served as General Manager of the Sweetwater Stage Line in Green River, Wyoming Territory during the late 1870s (prominently advertised around 1876–1879). During this era, he partnered with Superintendent A. E. Bradbury to run a daily stage line out of the Union Pacific Railroad station in Green River City. Their route traveled north to deliver mail and transport passengers through historic locations like Pacific Springs, South Pass City, Atlantic City, Camp Stambaugh, Miners Delight, and Camp Brown.

Provenance: A. Dean Larsen & Jean M. Larsen Private Collection. Mr. Larsen, as director of Collection Development for a major library, was the architect over a 40-year career for adding almost 3,000,000 volumes to his university’s library holdings. Rare book specialists were drawn to him because of his profound appreciation for history, rare books, and historical printed artifacts. His deep understanding of book and print culture was evident in his finding, networking, and negotiating with the leading book dealers and collectors of the day, both nationally and internationally. His devotion to his contacts allowed him to acquire items, for the library and for his and his wife’s personal collection, that would otherwise have been unattainable. With his death and the recent passing of his widow, we have been entrusted with placing for sale some of their choicest historical treasures.

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