Sale 1310 — Outstanding United States Stamps, featuring The Dragonfly Collection
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 27-28 February, 2024
Category — Postmasters' Provisionals
Baltimore, Maryland, 5c Black on White (3X1). Position 4, ample to large margins showing almost all of framelines on three sides, without usual pen cancel and tied by well-struck blue “PAID” handstamp, matching “Baltimore Md. Mar. 29” (1847) circular datestamp on folded letter to Philadelphia, faint toned spot at center from wax seal is barely evident and not mentioned on accompanying certificate
EXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT BALTIMORE PROVISIONAL ON WHITE PAPER USED ON COVER. VERY FEW OF THE KNOWN COVERS HAVE THE STAMP CANCELLED SOLELY BY A HANDSTAMP.
No. 28 in the Hayes census (Collectors Club Philatelist, Jan. 1970). USPCS census no. 20125. Ex Hall, “Laila” and Ambassador Middendorf. With 2009 P.F. certificate. Signed John Klemann. Scott value $12,500 for the usual cancel (which is normally pen, footnote states “Stamps on cover tied by handstamps command premiums”).
Baltimore, Maryland, 5c Black on Bluish (3X3). Position 1, showing virtually complete frameline at bottom and most of frameline at right, also with top left corner sheet margins, cancelled by pen (possibly a signature), blue "Baltimore Md. May. 1" (1846) circular datestamp with matching "PAID" and "5" in oval handstamps, on folded letter to Messrs. Corcoran & Riggs in Washington D.C.
EXTREMELY FINE. A REMARKABLE TOP LEFT CORNER SHEET MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT BALTIMORE POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON BLUISH PAPER.
No. 16 in the Hayes census. USPCS census no. 20154. From the Weill Brothers stock, John R. Hill Jr. and ex Bakwin. With 1989 P.F. certificate. Scott value $12,500.
Robert H. Morris. Signature as New York City's postmaster on piece, "Respy yours, Robt. H. Morris, PM", light vertical file fold at left, Very Fine, a nice frontispiece for an exhibit
New York N.Y., 5c Washington, Vignettes Only, Large Die Essays on White Bond (9X1-E1b). Complete set of the five different colors (Black, Scarlet, Brown, Green, and Blue), each approximately 32 x 32mm, cut from the combined transfers, Very Fine, ex Golden, Scott value $1,000 as vignettes only
New York N.Y., 5c Black, Large Die Proof on India, Undamaged Die (9X1P1). 43 x 43mm, marvelously detailed impression, a few small thins and tiny nick in bottom margin, typical of India paper, Very Fine appearance, this is a rare proof from the die in its original state (without the dot in "P" and scar on neck), Scott value $750
New York N.Y., 5c Black, "ACM" Initials (9X1). Position 19, unused (no gum), large even margins all around, remarkably detailed impression
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL SOUND UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE NEW YORK POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL WITH THE INITIALS CONNECTED.
Ex Wingate. With 1975, 1990 and 2018 P.F. certificates.
New York N.Y., 5c Black, "ACM" Initials (9X1). Position 30, part original gum, large to full margins, crisp impression, Very Fine, with 2019 P.F. certificate
New York N.Y., 5c Black, "ACM" Initials (9X1). Position 21, full to large margins, deep shade, cancelled by lightly struck red New York "5 cts" integral-rate circular datestamp, Very Fine and choice, this datestamp was used exclusively on mail to foreign countries, it is quite rare and desirable on the 5c New York provisional, with 2019 P.F. certificate, Scott value $575
New York N.Y., 5c Black, "AC M" Initials (9X1a). Position 31, with double frameline at bottom, unused (no gum), large to ample margins, highly detailed impression, Very Fine and choice, with 2019 P.F. certificate
New York N.Y., 5c Black, "AC M" Initials (9X1a). Position 4, double transfer evident in bottom margin, large margins, cancelled by lightly struck red New York "5 cts" integral-rate datestamp, Extremely Fine, this datestamp was used exclusively on mail to foreign countries, it is quite rare and desirable on the 5c New York provisional, with 2019 P.F. certificate, Scott value $675 without premium for the double transfer
New York N.Y., 5c Black, "A.C.M." Initials (9X1b). Position 10, unused (no gum), Type B without the additional roll in the letter "C", large margins to clear, tiny corner margin crease at top left does not touch the design and is negligible
VERY FINE. A RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT NEW YORK POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL WITH THE "A.C.M." SIGNATURE. ESPECIALLY RARE IN UNUSED CONDITION.
The A.C.M. initials with the periods are believed to have been written by Marcena Monson, brother of Alonzo C. Monson. We have offered only two others in unused condition since 1994 and in all of our Rarities sales.
Ex Dr. Morris and Wingate. With 1992 and 2018 P.F. certificates.
New York N.Y., 5c Black on Bluish, “RHM” Initials (9X1d). Position 40 from the bottom right corner of the sheet, large margins to clear at lower right, bold magenta “RHM” initials reading from top to bottom, tied by blue manuscript cancel (applied on arrival in New York City) on folded letter datelined “Netherwood 12 Augst 1845”—Netherwood was the Lenox estate in Dutchess County, New York—addressed to Thomas L. Callender, Sun Mutual Insurance Company, Wall Street, New York City, manuscript “New Hamburgh Augst 12 NY” postmark and “5” rate, red “PAID” arc handstamp applied on arrival in New York City to indicate stamp accepted as prepayment, neatly docketed “Recd. 13 Agt”
A VERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT NEW YORK PROVISIONAL SIGNED "RHM" BY POSTMASTER ROBERT H. MORRIS AND USED FROM NEW HAMBURGH, NEW YORK, TO NEW YORK CITY.
The rare "RHM” initialed stamp is used here on one of the seven New York postmaster’s provisional covers from New Hamburgh in Dutchess County, all originating from James Lenox, whose collection of art, books and manuscripts became one of the cornerstones of The New York Public Library.
USPCS census no. 20301. Ex Shierson, Grunin and Gross. Illustrated in The New York Postmaster’s Provisional by Piller (fig. 90, p. 67).
New York N.Y., 5c Black, Without Signature (9X1e). Position 39, large to huge margins, cancelled solely by red New York “Paid” arc handstamp without pen cancel, bright and fresh in every respect
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE NEW YORK POSTMASTER’S PROVISIONAL WITHOUT SIGNATURE. EXTREMELY RARE WITHOUT PEN CANCELLATION AND CANCELLED SOLELY BY THE RED "PAID".
This stamp is one of the three finest used examples of the 5c New York Without Signature we have offered since keeping computerized records more than 25 years ago.
Ex Ambassador Middendorf. With 2011 P.F. certificate. Scott value $1,000.
New York N.Y., 5c Black, Without Signature (9X1e). Large margins to clear, detailed impression, cancelled by lightly struck red New York "5 cts" integral-rate datestamp, Very Fine, this datestamp was used exclusively on mail to foreign countries, it is quite rare and desirable on the 5c New York provisional, with 2019 P.F. certificate, Scott value $1,000
New York N.Y., 5c Black on Gray, "ACM" Initials (9X3). Position 2 with double transfer at bottom, large margins all around, tied by red square grid cancel and matching "New-York 5 cts. 8 Feb." integral-rate circular datestamp and "PAID" arc handstamp on 1847 folded cover to Baltimore
EXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST RECORDED USE OF THE 5-CENT NEW YORK PROVISIONAL ON GRAY PAPER, SCOTT 9X3. IT IS ALSO THE FINEST OF THE TWELVE COVERS RECORDED BEARING THIS STAMP.
USPCS census no. 20840. Ex Caspary, Boker, Wall, Hill and Bakwin. With 1992 P.F. certificate. Scott value $6,250.
Providence, Rhode Island, 5c Gray Black (10X1). Ample to large margins all around, cancelled by manuscript “V” check mark, red “Providence R.I. Feb. 11” (1847) circular datestamp with matching “PAID” and “5” handstamps on blue folded letter to Clara Louisa Clapp, Boston
VERY FINE AND CHOICE 5-CENT PROVIDENCE POSTMASTER’S PROVISIONAL ON AN ATTRACTIVE COVER. VERY FEW ON-COVER EXAMPLES ARE SOUND WITH FOUR MARGINS.
A review using Power Search reveals how rare this issue is on cover in sound condition with four margins. Most examples we have encountered are either cut in on one side or have a small flaw.
USPCS census no. 21054. Ex Ambassador Middendorf. With 1980 and 2016 P.F. certificates. Scott value $6,000.