Sale 1284 — The Yellowstone Collection of 1847 Issue Covers
Sale Date — Wednesday, 3 May, 2023
Category — 1847 Issue: Carrier and Local Post Stamps and Markings
10c Black (2). Two large margins, clear to ample at top and bottom, short transfer at top variety, tied by red grid cancel, used with Honour's City Express, Charleston, South Carolina, 2c Black on Brown Rose (4LB1), distinctive bright pink shade of paper, cut to shape slightly impinging on oval frame, slight surface scrapes, tied by red crayon cross strokes, red "Charleston S.C. Jul. 14/10" 10c integral-rate circular datestamp on bluish gray folded cover to New York City, 1849 docketing on back, Honour's stamp has tiny scrapes, addressee's name crossed out, small tear at top of one file fold.FINE. ONE OF TWO RECORDED 1847 ISSUE COVERS WITH THE HONOUR'S CITY EXPRESS OVAL CARRIER ISSUE AND THE ONLY ONE WITH THE HONOUR'S STAMP ON ROSE PAPER.
This is one of only two recorded covers with a combination of the 1847 Issue and Honour's oval carrier stamp (the other with 4LB2). This is a highly important rarity for both 1847 Issue and Carriers and Locals specialists alike.
Only five examples of Scott 4LB1 are recorded in any format, as follows:
1) Cut rectangular, in at top, used on 8/16/1849 cover, ex Hind, Golden, "D.K." collection
2) Cut to shape (brighter pink paper), used with 10c 1847 on 7/14/1849 cover, ex Ferrary, Waterhouse, Hessel, Golden and Gross, the cover offered here
3) Cut rectangular, in at top, on piece dated 8/19/1849, ex Worthington, Caspary, Boker, Golden and Kuphal
4) Cut to shape, cancelled by red Charleston circular datestamp (June date, no year), ex Middendorf
5) Cut to shape, sealed tear, added to 1851 cover with January 24 datestamp, Siegel Sale 164 and ex Hall
The other Honour's 1849 oval stamp, printed on Yellow paper (Scott 4LB2), is just as rare with five recorded, including one used with the 10c 1847 Issue (ex Caspary and Middendorf).
As a side note, the paper of this stamp is decidedly brighter and more pink than the paper of the four other 4LB1 examples. Given the great rarity of the Honour's oval stamp and the basic differentiation between Brown Rose and Yellow papers, it is only an academic point to separate this Pink shade from the others. However, among other more abundant Carrier Department issues, the paper color would certainly be grounds for a separate catalogue listing.
Ex Ferrary (small trefoil handstamp at lower right), Waterhouse, Hessel, Golden and Gross. Illustrated in Chronicle 151 (p. 162). With 1975 and 1999 P.F. certificates.
5c Orange Brown (1b). Margins touching or slightly in on three sides, tied by several strikes of red grid cancel, used with Honour's City Post, Charleston, South Carolina, 2c Black on Bluish, Period after "Paid" (4LB8a), First setting, position showing upturned pearl at left and inverted period after "Post", full to large margins, tied by pen strokes carefully applied across each corner which leave the "Honour's City Post" name unobscured, red "5" rate handstamp on blue folded letter with sender's "Paid" notation, datelined Charleston, December 17, 1850, to John L. Manning at Columbia, South Carolina, vertical file fold at center, tiny pre-use nick in left margin of 5c stamp, carrier stamp has faint pre-use creaseVERY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED COVER WITH THE 1847 ISSUE AND HONOUR'S CITY POST 4LB8 STAMP. ONLY FIVE INTACT 1847 COVERS ARE KNOWN WITH CHARLESTON CARRIER STAMPS, ONE OF WHICH IS PERMANENTLY HOUSED IN THE BRITISH LIBRARY COLLECTION.
John H. Honour, superintendent of the Charleston Penny Post, advertised the commencement of carrier service in the Charleston Mercury on May 9, 1849. For a 2c fee the carrier department would carry a letter to or from the post office, or between correspondents in the city.
Our census of 1847 Issue covers with Charleston carrier stamps lists six in total (one is a front panel only), which is confirmed by the USPCS census. There are two 10c covers with the earlier oval Honour's stamp (4LB1, offered in the previous lot, and 4LB2), two covers with the 5c used with Honour's 4LB5 (both 5c pairs -- one is in the British Library collection) and this cover with 4LB8a. A 10c on cover front with 4LB8 was sold in the 2013 Siegel sale of United States from the Gross collection (Sale 1041, lot 245). The June 4, 1851, cover with 4LB8b listed in Larry Lyons's census (The Penny Post, October 2007) has a P.F. certificate stating that the stamps did not originate.
The two 5c and 4LB5 covers are rated 10c for distance beyond the 300-mile radius. This is the only single 5c franking (under 300 miles) among the combination covers noted above. The absence of a Charleston post office datestamp suggests that it might have been brought to the post office by the carrier and urgently prepared for the next train trip to Columbia, South Carolina.
The small rectangular "Paid/Honour's/City Post/2 Cents" carrier department stamp was first printed in 1850 from a setting that shows certain distinctive features. Specifically, the space between stamps is wider than that of the subsequent settings, and there is a period after "Paid" rather than a comma. Impressions are uniformly clear, and the typographic error positions in later settings did not exist in the first setting that produced this stamp.
The recipient of this cover, John L. Manning, was a state senator at the time of mailing, and in 1852 he was elected governor. The letter is from an educator and promoter of "Southern Education" and the "Abolition of Abolition Text Books" in Southern schools.
Ex Ward (Sale 285, lot 537), Hall and Gross.
5c Red Brown (1). Margins to in at bottom, intermediate impression, tied by red square grid cancel and used with U.S. Mail, New York N.Y., 1c Black on Yellow Glazed (6LB10), ample to large margins, tied by single pencil stroke on buff cover to North Natick Mass., red "New-York May 10" circular datestamp, manuscript "Paid" above carrier stamp, 5c with some soiling, 1c with typical surface flaws (stamp partly lifted to confirm it originated), Fine, ex Stollnitz and Kuphal, with 2013 P.F. certificate
5c Red Brown (1). Full margins to clear, pretty shade, tied by red square grid cancel, matching "New-York May 24" circular datestamp, used with New York N.Y., 1c Black on Buff (6LB11), not tied, on cover to Albany N.Y., missing part of top flap, Very Fine, scarce, ex Mirsky, with 1997 P.F. certificate
5c Red Brown (1). Rich color from the cleaned plate, three full margins, slightly in at left, pre-use corner crease, tied by red square grid cancel, used with U.S. Mail, New York N.Y., 1c Black on Yellow Glazed (6LB10), large margins, trivial wrinkle, pencil cancel, tied by red "New-York Nov. 15" circular datestamp on blue envelope to a Miss Hodges at Female Seminary in Troy N.Y., seal on flap with embossed crest and "Nil Desperandum" ("do not despair"), some edgewear and small scuff spots, still Very Fine, very few 1847/6LB10 combination covers have the carrier stamp tied by a handstamped marking, ex Boker and Gross
5c Red Brown (1). Large even margins, deep color, cleaned-plate impression, tied by blue "2" in double-line circle handstamp, second strike at right on buff envelope to Susan M. Davis at 148 MacDougal Street in Philadelphia, red crayon "4" and "2" at upper right may be related to carrier fee (P.F. declines opinion as to its origin and purpose), some slight wear, Very Fine, the "2" handstamp was used to indicate payment in cash of "to the mails" carrier service for a destination outside the old city limits (pre-1854 consolidation -- see article in Chronicle 200 by Dr. Vernon R. Morris, Jr.), ex Mirsky, with 1992 P.F. certificate
5c Red Brown (1). Huge margins all around including sheet margin at top, bright color and worn-plate impression, tied by blue "2" in double-line circle handstamp, matching "Philada. Pa. 5cts. Feb. 7" integral-rate circular datestamp on buff envelope to Wilbraham Mass., Extremely Fine, a beautiful cover and a scarce use of the 2c rate handstamp to tie a 5c 1847 stamp, according to an article by Dr. Vernon R. Morris, Jr. in Chronicle 200, the "2" handstamp was used in Philadelphia to indicate payment in cash of "to the mails" carrier service for a destination outside the old city limits (pre-1854 consolidation), ex Wunderlich, Garrett, Boker and Gross, with 1976 P.F. certificate
5c Brown (1). Two, dark color and intermediate impressions, margins to cutting in one side, each tied by bold blue "2" in double-line circle handstamp, matching "Philada Pa. Apr. 13" (1849) circular datestamp on blue folded letter to Pittsburgh Pa., both stamps with light corner creases, left stamp tiny margin tears at bottom, Fine and scarce use of the 2c rate handstamp to tie a 5c 1847 stamp, according to an article by Dr. Vernon R. Morris, Jr. in Chronicle 200, the "2" handstamp was used in Philadelphia to indicate payment in cash of "to the mails" carrier service for a destination outside the old city limits (pre-1854 consolidation), ex Stollnitz and Dr. Morris, with 1996 P.F. certificate
5c Brown (1). Full margins to just in at right, rich color and intermediate impression, tied by manuscript cross-hatching and blue "Philada. Pa. 5cts. Aug. 7" integral-rate circular datestamp on folded cover to Wilmington Del., blue-green "Wilmington Del. Aug. 8" receiving backstamp, some slight wear, stamp with tiny corner crease at lower left, Fine and scarce, it is highly unusual to find 1847 Issue mail backstamped on arrival, this cover was the subject of an article by Harvey Mirsky in Chronicle 209 (copy accompanies), ex Mirsky
5c Brown (1). Large even margins, deep shade, worn-plate impression, tied by double-struck black grid cancel, "N. Brunswick N.J. Apr. 19" small circular datestamp and large "5" rate handstamp on envelope to 36 South St., New York City, manuscript "X" thru rate handstamp, diminutive "2 Cents" in manuscript just above date, also faint "2c" to the right of stampEXTREMELY FINE. A REMARKABLE COVER WITH THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE PAYING THE INTER-CITY POSTAGE AND THE "2 CENTS" MANUSCRIPT MARKING INDICATING A POSTAL FEE PAID OR DUE.
The 2c rate on this cover is enigmatic. The New York City postmaster reestablished carrier service in December 1848 with a 1c fee for delivery from the post office to the addressee. The "2 Cents" on this cover was applied either at the originating office (New Brunswick N.J.) or at the New York office, possibly to indicate an advertised fee.
Ward backstamp. Ex "Sevenoaks", Craveri and Eubanks. With 2003 P.F. certificate.
5c Red Brown (1). Large margins to clear including left sheet margin, bright color and intermediate impression, tied by red "10" numeral rate handstamp, corresponding blue "Baltimore Md. Mar. 19" circular datestamp and red "WAY/5" handstamp, well-struck "Blood's Despatch One-Cent Pre-Paid" in serrated double-circle handstamp indicating service to the mails in Philadelphia, manuscript "Due 5" on buff envelope from Philadelphia to Buckingham Courthouse Va., routed by railroad via Baltimore, the manuscript "Due 5" was applied for unpaid portion of 10c over-300 miles rateEXTREMELY FINE. A MARVELOUS 1847 ISSUE COVER WITH AN INTERESTING COMBINATION OF MAIL SERVICE MARKINGS.
Ex Dr. Kapiloff and Bailar. With 1977 P.F. certificate
5c Red Brown (1). Large margins except at lower right where just barely in, bright shade on strongly blued paper, intermediate impression, tied by red square grid cancel, used with Blood's City Despatch, Philadelphia Pa., 1c Bronze on Black Glazed (15L13), acid cancel, faintly creased, both stamps tied by red "New-York Jul. 18" (ca. 1850) circular datestamp, matching "PHILADA. RAIL ROAD" straightline handstamp on cover to Albany N.Y.VERY FINE. A RARE COMBINATION OF THE 1847 ISSUE AND BLOOD'S LOCAL POST STAMP ON A COVER CARRIED BY RAILROAD TO NEW YORK CITY AND CANCELLED THERE BEFORE CONTINUING NORTH TO ALBANY.
Ex Moody, Garrett, Boker and Gross. With 1979 and 2013 P.F. certificates
5c Red Brown (1). Two, both have large margins, worn-plate impression, tied by bold red square grid cancels, used with Blood's City Despatch, Philadelphia Pa., 1c Bronze on Black Glazed (15L13), large margins to barely in at top right, light acid cancel, matching red "PHILADA. RAIL ROAD" straightline handstamp applied at New York City on cover to Boston, red "New-York May 21" circular datestampVERY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING 1847 ISSUE COVER WITH BLOOD'S LOCAL STAMP AND THE "PHILADA. RAILROAD" STRAIGHTLINE.
Ex Knapp, Dick, Rust, Garrett, Arch and Mirsky. With 2012 P.F. certificate
5c Red Brown (1). Vertical pair, three large margins, just in at bottom, bright color, worn-plate impression, tied by blue "Philada. Rail Road Nov. 18" route agent's circular datestamp, additional strike at bottom, used with Blood's City Despatch, Philadelphia Pa., 1c Bronze on Black Glazed (15L13), acid tied, on cover to New Orleans, part of address crossed out, bottom stamp affected from placement at edge of cover, Very Fine appearance, a scarce southbound railroad use from Philadelphia to New Orleans, carried to the mails by Blood's, the recipient, Col. George A. McCall, distinguished himself under Zachary Taylor in the Mexican-American War and later served as a Brigadier General in the Civil War, ex Mirsky, with 1991 A.P.S. certificate
5c Red Brown (1). Full to large margins, worn-plate impression, manuscript cancel, used with Boyd's City Express, New York N.Y., 2c Black on Green Glazed (20L7), large margins to cut in at top, tied by black grid cancel, both stamps tied by red "New York & Phila. R.R. Mar. 29" route agent's circular datestamp on lady's small cover to New Brunswick N.J.VERY FINE. A COLORFUL 1847 ISSUE AND BOYD'S LOCAL POST COMBINATION TIED TOGETHER BY THE RAILROAD ROUTE AGENT'S DATESTAMP.
The Meyersburg census lists 33 covers with the 1847 Issue and Boyd's Eagle & Globe stamps (Scott 20L4 and 20L7). Only four have the New York & Philadelphia Railroad marking.
Ex Gibson, Boker and Gross. With 2013 P.F. certificate
5c Red Brown (1). Large margins to clear, rich color and detailed early impression, tied by blue "Portsmouth N.H. Aug. 29" circular datestamp with matching "5" handstamp on cover to street address in New York City, with "Via City Despatch Post" manuscript notation at lower left, stamp with small corner crease at top leftVERY FINE AND RARE USE OF THE 1847 ISSUE WITH A CITY DESPATCH LOCAL POST MANUSCRIPT DIRECTIVE.
In a February 2005 Chronicle article by Gordon Stimmell, he notes that eight covers were discovered used from Portsmouth with either "Care of" or "Via" the City Despatch Post (a local post at this time). These are the only recorded 1847 Issue covers which are directed to go through a local post.
Ex DuPuy and Eubanks. P.F. certificate no. 424927 no longer accompanies (printout from P.F. website included).