Sale 1244 — The Arthur S. Przybyl Collection of United States, Confederate States and Hawaii
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 9-10 November, 2021
Category — Postmasters' Provisionals
Annapolis, Maryland, (2c) Blue Handstamp (2XU1 var). Clear strike on cover front only with matching “2” handstamp addressed locally to Miss Jessie Steele, light file folds including one barely affecting markingVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL CLEAR STRIKE OF THE ANNAPOLIS POSTMASTER’S SEAL, WHICH WAS USED TO MAKE THE FAMOUS POSTMASTER PROVISIONAL ENVELOPES AND WAS ALSO RARELY APPLIED AS A POSTMARK.
Ex Middendorf. The Scott footnote to 2XU1 values the blue circle at $17,500.00 with “2” handstamped rate (on full cover).
Baltimore, Maryland, 5c Black on Bluish (3X3). Position 12, large margins with two complete framelines, without pen cancellation, cancelled by blue "PAID" handstamp and tied by blue "Baltimore Md. Feb. 25" circular datestamp on blue folded letter to Philadelphia, second strike of "PAID" handstamp at right, matching "5" in circle handstamp, two vertical file folds including one slightly creasing the stamp, which has been lifted and placed back on the coverVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A BEAUTIFUL ON-COVER EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT BALTIMORE POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON BLUISH PAPER. ONE OF THE VERY FEW BALTIMORE PROVISIONAL COVERS WITH THE STAMP TIED BY THE TOWN DATESTAMP AND WITHOUT ANY PEN CANCELLATION.
The Baltimore provisional stamps were printed first on bluish and then on white paper (the Scott catalogue reverses the chronological order). Examples of the 5c on Bluish (3X3) on cover are rarely tied solely by a handstamp cancellation.
Hayes census no. 10. Ex Duveen, Hind, "Troy", Faiman and Wall. With 2003 P.F. certificate. Scott value is $12,500.00 for a normally pen-cancelled stamp on cover (footnote states: "Stamps on cover tied by handstamps command premiums.")
Baltimore, Maryland, 5c Blue on Manila entire (3XU1). Sharp strikes of provisional markings, blue "Baltimore Md. Jul. 12" (1846) circular datestamp on entire addressed to Miss Susan Julia Mayer in Reading Pa., negligible wax seal stain at centerEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT BLUE BALTIMORE PROVISIONAL ENTIRE.
Hayes census no. 31. Ex Weill Brothers' Stock, Dr. Test ("Concord"), "Laila" and "Hampshire". With 2002 P.F. certificate.
Brattleboro, Vermont, 5c Black on Buff (5X1). Position 4, large margins to just in at top, guidelines visible at left and bottom, "D" of "PAID" handstamp at right leaves entire design clearly visibleFRESH AND FINE. A RARE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE BRATTLEBORO POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL.
The USPCS census records 55 examples of the Brattleboro Vt. Postmaster's Provisional (35 off cover and 20 stamps on 19 covers). Two of these are new additions of stamps which recently re-emerged after decades off the market and were offered in our 2021 Rarities sale. We can add two additional off-cover stamps to this count for a total of 57 known. Of these, many are faulty due to the softness of the paper.
Ex Wall. With 1975 P.F. certificate
Brattleboro, Vermont, 5c Black on Buff (5X1). Position 7, large margins to in, repaired tear at bottom left where stamp was affected by file fold (since lifted and moved to the right), cancelled by red "PAID" handstamp, second strike at left, matching "Brattleboro Vt. Apr. 19" (1847) circular datestamp on folded letter to Greenfield Mass.FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE ONLY BRATTLEBORO FROM POSITION 7 KNOWN ON COVER, AND THE ONLY STAMP FROM THIS POSITION CANCELLED BY THE RED "PAID" HANDSTAMP.
The USPCS census records 55 examples of the Brattleboro Vt. Postmaster's Provisional (35 off cover and 20 stamps on 19 covers). Two of these are new additions of stamps which recently re-emerged after decades off the market and were offered in our 2021 Rarities sale. We can add two additional off-cover stamps to this count for a total of 57 known. Of these, many are faulty due to the softness of the paper.
Ex Allen and Hansen. With 2004 P.F. certificate. Scott value $25,000.00
Millbury, Massachusetts, 5c Black on Bluish (7X1). Cut to shape and mounted on small matching color piece, parts of the outer circular frameline drawn in and portion of cancellation on the piece drawn in, clear impressionFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE MILLBURY, MASSACHUSETTS, POSTMASTER’S PROVISIONAL. ONLY EIGHTEEN ARE RECORDED, INCLUDING NINE USED ON PIECE OR OFF COVER.
The 5c stamp issued by Millbury postmaster Asa Holman is one of two United States provisionals with a portrait (George Washington in both cases). It is also unusual in that the designation “Post Office” appears without any town name, a characteristic in common with the Baltimore and Boscawen provisionals. Our census of the Millbury provisional is available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/7X1 .
Census no. 7X1-CAN-06. Ex Dr. Maffeo, “Alan” and Middendorf. With 1957, 1992 and 2007 P.F. certificates.
History of the Millbury provisional: http://siegelauctions.com/enc/pdf/Millbury.pdf
New Haven, Connecticut, 5c Carmine, Reprint (8XU1R). 62 x 58mm, signature in Blue, pencil notation on back states "Mitchell's own copy" (unverified), Very Fine, the Scott Catalogue lists the signatures for the 1874 Peets Reprints as being known in "Dark Blue, Red and Black (rare)", with 2007 P.F. certificate
New Haven, Connecticut, 5c Final Reprint (8XU1R). Two, in Dull Blue and Red, from the final 260 reprints executed in 1932, with handstamp on back of each reading "1932 Final Re-Strike No.____ Limited 260", Red No. 233, Dull Blue No. 234, Very Fine pair, ex "Golden Oak", with 2014 P.F. certificates, after this group was printed the die was defaced
New York N.Y., 5c Black, "AC M" Initials (9X1a). Position 6, full to large margins, intense shade, faint signature, blue penstroke cancels, Very Fine, with 1989 P.F. certificate as No. 9X1
New York N.Y., 5c Black, Without Signature (9X1e). Position 16, full to large margins which are nicely balanced, tied by blue cross-hatched pen strokes, red "New-York 5 cts. 27 Aug." (1845) integral-rate circular datestamp and matching "Paid" arc handstamp on folded cover with original contents to New Haven Conn., letter datelined the same day, fresh and Very Fine cover, signed Ashbrook
New York N.Y., 5c Black on Blue, Without Signature (9X2d). Position 32, unused (no gum), ample to full margins, proof-like impression on deeply blued paper, small surface rubs at top (probably from adherence)VERY FINE MARGINS AND CONDITION DESPITE TINY SCUFFS. ONE OF FOUR RECORDED UNUSED EXAMPLES OF THE 5-CENT NEW YORK POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON BLUE PAPER WITHOUT SIGNATURE--ONLY TWO OTHER USED EXAMPLES ON BLUE PAPER WITHOUT SIGNATURE ARE RECORDED.
The last printing of the New York provisional took place on January 7, 1847, when 100 sheets were delivered. Philip T. Wall believes that the stamps on Blue paper (Scott 9X2) and Gray paper (Scott 9X3) come from this last printing, because the recorded covers are used after that date. Most of the known Without Signature stamps originate from the early days following the initial sale date of July 14, 1845. However, a few examples of both the Blue and Gray paper stamps are known without signature, so if Wall is correct that these stamps come from the last printing, then clearly the signing standards were not strictly followed.
We record four unused and two used examples of 9X2d:
1) Unused, Position unknown, ex Boker, Chronicle 115, p. 161, figure C
2) Unused, Position 15, Dr. Kapiloff collection (Piller book, p. 46, figure 53)
3) Unused, Position 25, PFC 501335, ex Frelinghuysen (Sale 1020, lot 31)
4) Unused, Position 32, the stamp offered here
5) Red "Paid" arc cancel, light horizontal crease at top, PFC 287925
6) Red "Paid" arc cancel, Position 4, PFC 264805, ex Dr. Morris (Sale 793, lot 13)
Ex Golden. With 2019 P.F. certificate
Providence, Rhode Island, 5c & 10c Gray Black, Se-Tenant (10X2a). Complete sheet of twelve with 10c Position 3, unused (no gum), vertical and horizontal creases mostly between stamps, three 5c stamps slightly affected by wrinkles, otherwise Very Fine, complete sheets of the Providence provisional are scarce, ex Frelinghuysen, small "W.H.C." backstamp (Warren H. Colson), Scott value for sheet without gum
St. Louis, Missouri, 5c Black on Greenish (11X1). Type II, Position 3, unused (no gum), large margins to clear at left, bit of faint toning at top right called "minor stains" on accompanying certificate (barely noticeable)VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE UNUSED FULL-MARGINED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT ST. LOUIS POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON GREENISH PAPER.
The St. Louis "Bears" provisionals are rare in unused (or uncancelled) condition. Only a few of the 5c value are known unused and almost all are on Greenish paper.
With 1985 P.F. certificate.
St. Louis, Missouri, 5c Black on Greenish (11X1). Type I, Position 1, three clear to large margins, just clear to slightly in at upper left, neat manuscript cancel, bit heavy vertical crease at left, otherwise Fine and presentable example of the 5c St. Louis Postmaster's Provisional on Greenish paper
St. Louis, Missouri, 10c Black on Greenish (11X2). Type III, Position 6, unused (no gum), full to large margins all around, some non-obvious faults including small thin in margin, couple toned spots removed at left and not visible, small corner crease at bottom left entirely in marginVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ST. LOUIS PROVISIONAL ON GREENISH PAPER WITH FULL TO LARGE MARGINS.
A review of The Philatelic Foundation's records indicates that approximately ten unused examples of 11X2 are recorded. By far the finest is the incomparable original-gum corner-margin copy from the Frelinghuysen collection (realized $150,000 hammer in our Sale 1020), which is the only example with gum. Perhaps half are sound or potentially sound.
Ex Hind and traced by us to a 1957 Mozian sale. With 2018 P.F. certificate
St. Louis, Missouri, 10c Black on Greenish (11X2). Type I, Position 2, margins to slightly in, cancelled solely by red St. Louis circular datestamp, slight thinning, Very Good appearance and scarce without a pen cancel
St. Louis, Missouri, 10c Black on Gray Lilac (11X5). Type III, Position 6, large margins to full all around, neat penstrokes cancel, faint vertical crease at right visible only when drying and not noted on accompanying certificateVERY FINE APPEARING FOUR-MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ST. LOUIS POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON GRAY LILAC PAPER.
With clear 1987 P.F. certificate
St. Louis, Missouri, 5c Black on Bluish Pelure (11X7). Type I re-engraved, Position 1, margins to just in, cancelled solely by red "PAID" handstamp, light crease at lower rightFINE APPEARANCE AND ESSENTIALLY SOUND. AN EXCEPTIONALLY ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT ST. LOUIS PROVISIONAL ON PELURE PAPER, CANCELLED SOLELY BY THE RED "PAID" HANDSTAMP.
Pelure paper was used for the last printing after the 20c denomination on Positions 1 and 3 was burnished out and the 5c values were re-engraved. At the time of this modification to the plate, Position 5 was slightly altered by adding a dot within the bottom ball of the figure "5", as visible on this example. Stamps on pelure paper are almost always seriously defective, just like Hawaiian "Missionaries" printed on similar paper. This stamp, with only a minor crease, is in essentially sound condition.
A survey of our Levi records and auction catalogues produced a tally of approximately 35 examples of the 5c Pelure off and on cover. The vast majority have faults or margins cutting into the design. Most are pen-cancelled. We regard this as one of the finest, by virtue of its condition, the red handstamped "Paid" cancel and absence of manuscript cancel.
Ex T. Cullen Davis ("Texas Collector", Sale 278). From our 1975 Rarities sale where offered with the five surrounding stamps as part of a complete plate reconstruction (also from our 2012 Rarities sale). With 2012 P.F. certificate
St. Louis, Missouri, 10c Black on Bluish Pelure (11X8). Type III, Position 6, three extra large margins, bottom margin also large to full at right, sharp impression, without pen cancellation, cancelled solely by a blue circular datestamp at lower right, a couple trivial tiny flaws and a small repair in the area of the numeral "1"EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE LARGE-MARGINED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ST. LOUIS POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON PELURE PAPER, WITHOUT PEN CANCELLATION AND CANCELLED SOLELY BY A BLUE HANDSTAMP. THE STAMPS ON PELURE PAPER ARE THE RAREST OF THE ST. LOUIS "BEARS".
A survey of our Levi records and auction catalogues produced a total of approximately 35 examples of the 10c Pelure off and on cover. The vast majority of these stamps have serious faults or margins cutting into the design. This stamp, with its huge margins, light handstamped cancel and virtually invisible flaws, is one of the finest known. Since St. Louis never used blue ink in this period, this stamp must have been left uncancelled at St. Louis and was unintentionally struck with a blue circular datestamp at another post office, possibly on a forwarded letter.
With 1956 and 2019 P.F. certificates. Scott value is for normally pen-cancelled stamp off cover (footnote states: "Values for used off-cover stamps are for pen-cancelled copies. Handstamp cancelled copies sell for much more.")
St. Louis, Missouri, 10c Black on Bluish Pelure (11X8). Type I, Position 2 with enormous top right corner sheet margins, also large margin at left, bottom margin previously had a sizeable nick which has been expertly repaired with paper from the same stamp (taken from the top sheet margin, which remains huge) and is barely noticeable with portion of design expertly painted in, cancelled by manuscript numeral “10” rate and part of red handstamp at the top left, sharp impressionA REMARKABLE CORNER SHEET-MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE RARE ST. LOUIS “BEARS” 10-CENT PROVISIONAL ON PELURE PAPER.
A survey of our Levi records and auction catalogues produced a tally of approximately 35 examples of the 10c Pelure off and on cover. The vast majority of these stamps have serious faults or margins cutting into the design. The stamp offered here is extraordinary as a full corner sheet-margin example.
Ex Pope, Wagshal and Middendorf. With 1962 and 2010 P.F. certificates--both showing the stamp before it was repaired at bottom and with a slightly larger top sheet margin. A footnote in Scott states: "Values of Nos. 11X7-11X8a, on and off cover, reflect the usual poor condition of these stamps, which were printed on fragile pelure paper. Attractive examples with minor defects sell for considerably more."