Sale 1025 — 2012 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Tuesday, 26 June, 2012
Category — Postmasters Provisionals: St. Louis Mo.
St. Louis Mo., 5c Black on Greenish (11X1). Type III, Position 5, full margins to clear, cancelled by penstrokes and tied by red "St. Louis Mo. Jul. 13" circular datestamp on piece, the piece with some soiling but the stamp is soundA FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT ST. LOUIS POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON GREENISH PAPER.
Ex Crocker.
St. Louis Mo., 5c Black on Greenish (11X1). Type II, Position 3, large margins to full, cancelled solely by light strike of red circular datestamp, tiny tear at top mostly in margin, tiny thin spotVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT ST. LOUIS PROVISIONAL ON GREENISH PAPER.
Ex Consul Klep. Scott value is for a 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 Mo., 5c Black on Greenish (11X1). Type I, Position 1, large margins to full, cancelled by neat penstrokes at bottom, thinned at upper left mostly in marginVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT ST. LOUIS POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ISSUE ON GREENISH PAPER.
Attractive as the entire design is clearly visible.
St. Louis Mo., 10c Black on Greenish (11X2). Type I, Position 2, unused (no gum), large margins to full including top sheet margin, two natural pre-printing paper creasesVERY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ST. LOUIS PROVISIONAL ON GREENISH PAPER. APART FROM THE INCOMPARABLE ORIGINAL-GUM CORNER COPY RECENTLY OFFERED IN OUR FRELINGHUYSEN SALE, THIS IS THE ONLY OTHER UNUSED EXAMPLE WE HAVE EVER OFFERED. IT IS ALSO DESIRABLE WITH THE SHEET MARGIN AT TOP.
Ex T. Cullen Davis ("Texas Collector", Siegel Sale 278). With 1974 P.F. certificate.
St. Louis Mo., 10c Black on Greenish (11X2). Type I, Position 2, large margins to clear, tied on piece by clear strike of red "St. Louis Mo. Feb. 12" circular datestamp without usual pen cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ST. LOUIS POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL TIED ON PIECE BY A RED CIRCULAR DATESTAMP.
Scott value is for a 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 Mo., 10c Black on Greenish (11X2). Type I, Position 2, large margins to ample at top, cancelled solely by light strike of red circular datestamp, two small thin spotsVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ST. LOUIS POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON GREENISH PAPER.
Scott value is for a 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 Mo., 10c Black on Greenish (11X2). Type II, Position 4, full margins to barely in at lower left where a bit irregular, cancelled solely by light strike of red circular datestamp, accompanying certificate notes "defects" which are a small nick and thin at bottom leftFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ST. LOUIS PROVISIONAL ON GREENISH PAPER.
With 1980 P.F. certificate
St. Louis Mo., 10c Black on Greenish (11X2). Type III, Position 6, large margins, tied by manuscript pen stroke and "5" on 1845 folded letter to Palmyra Mo., red "St. Louis Mo. Nov. 29" circular datestamp with matching "PAID" handstamp, some wear including small sealed cover tear at top leftVERY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE USE OF THE 10-CENT ST. LOUIS POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON GREENISH PAPER.
Palmyra is approximately 125 miles north of St. Louis. The manuscript "5" indicates that the post office treated this as a 5c under-300 miles single-rate letter. The use of the 10c stamp was either in error (the 5c and 10c stamps were in the same sheet) or in anticipation of weight over a half-ounce.
St. Louis Mo., 5c Black on Gray Lilac (11X4). Type III, Position 5, large margins to clear, bright shade, unobtrusive pen cancelVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE SOUND FOUR-MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT ST. LOUIS POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ISSUE ON GRAY LILAC PAPER. A WONDERFUL CONDITION RARITY.
The St. Louis "Bears" stamps were printed from a single plate of six subjects (two horizontal by three vertical) that was modified twice to change the denominations of two positions. The original plate contained three 5c stamps at left and three 10c stamps at right. All stamps from the first state of the plate were printed on Greenish paper. The plate was then altered by burnishing out the "5" on Positions 1 and 3 and engraving a new "20" denomination. A small printing on Greenish paper was made from this altered plate. 5c stamps (Position 5) and 10c stamps (Positions 2/4/6) on Greenish Paper cannot usually be identified as original or altered plate impressions (the 20c on Greenish paper is a great rarity). The larger portion of stamps from the altered plate are on Gray Lilac paper. However, because only one of six subjects was a 5c value, the 5c on Gray Lilac is an extremely rare stamp -- perhaps even rarer than the 20c on Gray Lilac. The plate was modified again by burnishing out each "20" and engraving the old "5" denomination (third state). At the time of this second alteration, a large ball was engraved inside the end curl of the numeral "5" on Position 5. As far as we know, all stamps from the third state of the plate were printed on a very thin pelure paper. These were the last stamps used before the 1847 Issue was placed on sale in St. Louis.
A review using Power Search shows that most examples of this issue either have faults or margins into the design. Power Search contains only six sound four-margin copies not in multiples: 1) pen cancel, ex Concord, Vineyard and Wall; 2) pen cancel, ex Twigg-Smith (2001 Siegel sale); 3) red cancel, barely clear, ex Twigg-Smith (2001 Siegel sale); 4) pen cancel, 1980 Rarities sale; 5) heavy pen cancel, 1974 Rarities sale; and 6) the example offered here. We estimate perhaps another half-dozen may exist in this condition.
Ex F.W. Hunter and Moody. Small "W.H.C." (Colson) backstamp. With 1967 P.F. certificate. Offered to the market for the first time since our 1970 Rarities sale.
St. Louis Mo., 5c Black on Gray Lilac (11X4). Type III, Position 5, large margins to barely touched at lower left, bright shade, neat penstroke cancelFRESH AND FINE. A RARE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT ST. LOUIS POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ISSUE ON GRAY LILAC PAPER. ONLY ONE POSITION ON THIS STATE OF THE PLATE IS A 5-CENT STAMP.
The St. Louis "Bears" stamps were printed from a single plate of six subjects (two horizontal by three vertical) that was modified twice to change the denominations of two positions. The original plate contained three 5c stamps at left and three 10c stamps at right. All stamps from the first state of the plate were printed on Greenish paper. The plate was then altered by burnishing out the "5" on Positions 1 and 3 and engraving a new "20" denomination. A small printing on Greenish paper was made from this altered plate. 5c stamps (Position 5) and 10c stamps (Positions 2/4/6) on Greenish Paper cannot usually be identified as original or altered plate impressions (the 20c on Greenish paper is a great rarity). The larger portion of stamps from the altered plate are on Gray Lilac paper. However, because only one of six subjects was a 5c value, the 5c on Gray Lilac is an extremely rare stamp -- perhaps even rarer than the 20c on Gray Lilac. The plate was modified again by burnishing out each "20" and engraving the old "5" denomination (third state). At the time of this second alteration, a large ball was engraved inside the end curl of the numeral "5" on Position 5. As far as we know, all stamps from the third state of the plate were printed on a very thin pelure paper. These were the last stamps used before the 1847 Issue was placed on sale in St. Louis.
Sound examples of this issue are rare, and this stamp has margins almost all around
St. Louis Mo., 5c Black on Gray Lilac (11X4). Type III, Position 5, large margins to clear, intense shade, cancelled by two neat vertical penstrokes, tiny tear at top left mostly in margin, light diagonal crease at lower rightFINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT ST. LOUIS POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ISSUE ON GRAY LILAC PAPER. ONLY ONE POSITION ON THIS STATE OF THE PLATE IS A 5-CENT STAMP.
The St. Louis "Bears" stamps were printed from a single plate of six subjects (two horizontal by three vertical) that was modified twice to change the denominations of two positions. The original plate contained three 5c stamps at left and three 10c stamps at right. All stamps from the first state of the plate were printed on Greenish paper. The plate was then altered by burnishing out the "5" on Positions 1 and 3 and engraving a new "20" denomination. A small printing on Greenish paper was made from this altered plate. 5c stamps (Position 5) and 10c stamps (Positions 2/4/6) on Greenish Paper cannot usually be identified as original or altered plate impressions (the 20c on Greenish paper is a great rarity). The larger portion of stamps from the altered plate are on Gray Lilac paper. However, because only one of six subjects was a 5c value, the 5c on Gray Lilac is an extremely rare stamp -- perhaps even rarer than the 20c on Gray Lilac. The plate was modified again by burnishing out each "20" and engraving the old "5" denomination (third state). At the time of this second alteration, a large ball was engraved inside the end curl of the numeral "5" on Position 5. As far as we know, all stamps from the third state of the plate were printed on a very thin pelure paper. These were the last stamps used before the 1847 Issue was placed on sale in St. Louis.
With 1962 P.F. certificate.
St. Louis Mo., 10c Black on Gray Lilac (11X5). Type III, Position 6, large margins to full, cancelled solely by unobtrusive strike of red circular datestamp at lower rightVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL SOUND FOUR-MARGIN EXAMPL E OF THE 10-CENT ST. LOUIS POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON GRAY LILAC PAPER. DESIRABLE WITHOUT THE USUAL PEN CANCELLATION.
Scott value is for a 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 Mo., 10c Black on Gray Lilac (11X5). Type II, Position 4, clear margins all around, intense shade and impression, cancelled solely by red St. Louis circular datestamp, tiny scissors-cut mostly in margin at lower left not mentioned on accompanying certificateVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ST. LOUIS POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL CANCELLED SOLELY BY THE RED CIRCULAR DATESTAMP.
With 1961 P.F. certificate. Scott value is for a 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 Mo., 10c Black on Gray Lilac (11X5). Type III, Position 6, large margins all around, cancelled solely by light strike of red circular datestamp, two thin spots, some overall toning, small fault at topEXTREMELY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ST. LOUIS PROVISIONAL ON GRAY LILAC PAPER.
Last offered to the market in a 1970's Siegel sale. Scott value is for a 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 Mo., 10c Black on Gray Lilac (11X5). Type III, Position 6, large margins to clear at lower right, tied by manuscript cancel on 1846 folded letter to Galena Ill., red "St. Louis Mo. Oct. 20" circular datestamp and matching "PAID" handstamp, faint vertical file fold well away from stampVERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE COVER WITH THE 10-CENT ST. LOUIS POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON GRAY LILAC.
Approximately two dozen covers are known with No. 11X5, including seven multiples or used with other stamps, leaving about 17 single frankings. Galena was more than 300 miles from St. Louis, so this 10c stamp pays the over-300 miles rate between midwestern post offices.
With 1966 P.F. certificate
St. Louis Mo., 20c Black on Gray Lilac (11X6). Type I, Position 1, large margins to touched at left, bright shade and detailed impression, cancelled solely by red circular datestampFINE. THE ONLY RECORDED SOUND OFF-COVER EXAMPLE OF THE 20-CENT GRAY LILAC ST. LOUIS POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL WHICH IS CANCELLED SOLELY BY THE CIRCULAR DATESTAMP. A PHENOMENAL RARITY.
The census of 20c St. Louis Bears published in the Faiman catalogue (Bennett, Oct. 31, 2003) contains twelve off-cover singles. Of these, one in uncancelled and five have the red circular datestamp (three of which also have pen cancels). Of the two cancelled solely by the red circular datestamp, this is the only sound copy.
Ex Hind. Scott value is for a 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 Mo., 20c Black on Gray Lilac (11X6). Type II, Position 3, large margins to just into frameline at left where margin slightly uneven, detailed impression, neat pen cancel leaves entire design clearly visibleFINE. A RARE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE 20-CENT GRAY LILAC ST. LOUIS POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL.
The census of 20c St. Louis Bears published in the Faiman catalogue (Bennett, Oct. 31, 2003) contains twelve off-cover singles.
Ex Earl of Crawford and Hind.
St. Louis Mo., 20c Black on Gray Lilac (11X6). Type I, Position 1, three large to clear margins including left sheet margin, just into frameline at top, bright shade, single neat penstroke cancel, light creasesFINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE EXAMPLE OF THE 20-CENT ST. LOUIS PROVISIONAL ON GRAY LILAC PAPER. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED SINGLE OFF COVER WITH THE SHEET MARGIN.
The census of 20c St. Louis Bears published in the Faiman catalogue (Bennett, Oct. 31, 2003) contains twelve off-cover singles. No others show the sheet margin, which is unusual since all come from sheet margin positions.
Ex T. Cullen Davis ("Texas Collector", Siegel Sale 278). Blue backstamp
St. Louis Mo., 5c Black on Bluish (11X7). Type II retouched, Position 3, full margins to barely touched, cancelled by neat penstrokes, faint vertical crease at centerFINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT ST. LOUIS PROVISIONAL ON PELURE PAPER.
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 of these stamps has faults or margins cutting into the design.
Ex T. Cullen Davis ("Texas Collector", Siegel Sale 278). From our 1975 Rarities sale where offered with the five following lots as part of a complete plate reconstruction. Blue backstamp shows thru at bottom.
St. Louis Mo., 5c Black on Bluish (11X7). Type I retouched, Position 1, margins to just in, cancelled by bold strike of red "PAID" handstamp, slightly dry print, light crease at lower rightFINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT ST. LOUIS PROVISIONAL ON PELURE PAPER.
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 of these stamps has faults or margins cutting into the design.
Ex T. Cullen Davis ("Texas Collector", Siegel Sale 278). From our 1975 Rarities sale where offered with the five surrounding lots as part of a complete plate reconstruction.
St. Louis Mo., 5c Black on Bluish (11X7). Type III, Position 5 with retouched ball in "5", large margins to just in, neat penstroke cancel, few faults including sealed tear at top center and repair at lower leftFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT ST. LOUIS PROVISIONAL ON PELURE PAPER.
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 of these stamps has faults or margins cutting into the design.
Ex T. Cullen Davis ("Texas Collector", Siegel Sale 278). From our 1975 Rarities sale where offered with the five surrounding lots as part of a complete plate reconstruction.
St. Louis Mo., 10c Black on Bluish (11X8). Type II, Position 4, large margins to just clear, cancelled by two neat penstrokes, small ink erosion spot in top penstroke, small fault at lower leftFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ST. LOUIS 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 has faults or margins cutting into the design.
Ex T. Cullen Davis ("Texas Collector", Siegel Sale 278). From our 1975 Rarities sale where offered with the five surrounding lots as part of a complete plate reconstruction.
St. Louis Mo., 10c Black on Bluish (11X8). Type I, Position 2, large margins to clear, cancelled by neat penstrokes, vertical crease causing some slight splitting and tear at top, small nick at right, light diagonal creasesFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ST. LOUIS 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 has faults or margins cutting into the design.
Ex T. Cullen Davis ("Texas Collector", Siegel Sale 278). From our 1975 Rarities sale where offered with the five surrounding lots as part of a complete plate reconstruction.
St. Louis Mo., 10c Black on Bluish (11X8). Type III, Position 6, ample margins to just touched, slipped print impression, tied on small piece by penstrokes, some slight soiling, vertical crease at left ending in tear at top, small tear at top rightFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ST. LOUIS 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 has faults or margins cutting into the design.
Ex T. Cullen Davis ("Texas Collector", Siegel Sale 278). From our 1975 Rarities sale where offered with the five previous lots as part of a complete plate reconstruction.