Sale 1120 — Outstanding United States Stamps
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 17-18 March, 2016
Category — Postmasters` Provisionals
Baltimore, Maryland, 5c Blue on Buff entire, Black Signature Handstamp (3XU1 var). Clearly struck provisional markings with "James M. Buchanan" struck in brownish black, "Paid" and double-struck "5" in oval handstamps in blue, matching "Baltimore Md. Sep. 7" (1845) circular datestamp on cover to Miss Delia M. Black, care of Captain F. Black in Washington D.C., blue manuscript check mark, pencil receipt docketing "Sep. 7th, 1845", very faint waterstaining and wax seal mark at centerVERY FINE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST EXAMPLE OF A BALTIMORE POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL HANDSTAMPED ENVELOPE. A RARE COLOR COMBINATION WITH THE "JAMES M. BUCHANAN" SIGNATURE HANDSTAMP STRUCK IN BLACK.
The Baltimore provisional envelopes with the signature handstamp in black and other markings in blue were evidently the earliest of Postmaster Buchanan's issues. This September 7, 1845, envelope is addressed to Miss Delia M. Black, who married Gilbert Roger Jr. on October 6, 1845, after which point letters were addressed to her married name. Both the Hayes published census and the Shearer unpublished census list this envelope as number 1 in the handstamped envelope section. Twelve examples of the 5c Blue/Black combination envelope were recorded by Shearer as of June 1996 (plus the unlisted 5c envelope and two 10c Blue/Black envelopes offered in the Frelinghuysen Sale).
No. 1 in Hayes census. Small "W.H.C." (Warren H. Colson) handstamp at lower right. Ex Col. Green and Frelinghuysen. The Scott U.S. Specialized mentions that entires with the black signature handstamp were issued first and "sell for more," but this handstamp color combination is not given its own major listing. Scott value for blue signature handstamp is $6,500.00.
Baltimore, Maryland, 5c Blue on Buff entire (3XU1). Clear strikes of signature, "Paid" and "5" in oval provisional handstamps, blue "Baltimore Md. May 27" (1846) circular datestamp on cover to Miss Susan Julia Mayer, care of Geo. M. Keim in Reading Pa.EXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE BALTIMORE POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL 5-CENT BLUE ON BUFF ENTIRE.
No. 23 in Hayes census. With 1997 P.F. certificate
New York N.Y., 5c Black, "AC M" Initials (9X1a). Position 23, original gum, lightly hinged, large balanced margins, razor-sharp impression on crisp paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT NEW YORK POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL WITH ORIGINAL GUM. FEW EXIST IN THIS CONDITION.
Examples of the New York Postmaster's Provisional with any part of their original gum are scarce. This lightly hinged stamp with large even margins is a true condition rarity.
With 2006 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as unused without gum.
New York N.Y., 5c Black, "ACM" Initials (9X1). Mostly large margins including part of adjoining stamp at right, cancelled solely by red "Paid" in arc, Very Fine, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate
New York N.Y., 5c Black, "AC M" Initials (9X1a). Large margins on three sides including portion of adjoining stamp at top, clear at bottom, cancelled solely by rim of red circular datestamp at left, without pen cancel, fresh and Very Fine, with 2011 P.S.E. certificate
New York N.Y., 5c Black, "ACM" Initials (9X1). Full to large margins, cancelled solely by strike of red "Paid" arc handstamp without pen cancel, small thin at top, Fine appearance, with 2015 P.F. certificate
New York N.Y., 5c Black, "A.C.M." Initials (9X1b). Position 22, large margins, clear impression, cancelled solely by strike of red "Paid" arc handstamp without pen cancel, Extremely Fine, ex Frelinghuysen
New York N.Y., 5c Black, Without Signature, Stitch Watermark (9X1e var). Large even margins, detailed impression on crisp paper, cancelled solely by strike of red "Paid" arc handstamp without pen cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT NEW YORK POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ISSUE WITHOUT SIGNATURE AND WITH A STITCH WATERMARK. THIS IS THE FINEST WE HAVE OFFERED SINCE KEEPING COMPUTERIZED RECORDS.
While stitch watermarks are occasionally seen on the U.S. 1847 Issue, they are extremely rare on the New York Postmaster's Provisional. Philip T. Wall discussed stitch watermarks on the New York provisionals in Chronicle 112 (p. 227), citing Philip H. Ward's 1926 article in Mekeel's Stamp News about a stitch watermark example that was the first Ward had ever encountered. Wall stated that this is the only reference he had ever read about the variety and had never encountered one himself.
With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; unpriced in SMQ). While P.S.E. does not publish a Population Report for Postmasters' Provisionals, their records show that this is the highest grade awarded for a normal 9X1e and the only example to achieve a 95 grade.
New York N.Y., 5c Black, "ACM" Initials (9X1). Position 33, large even margins, detailed impression, cancelled by red "Paid" arc without pen cancel, second strike at center, matching "New-York 27 Jan. 5 cts." (1847) integral-rate circular datestamp on small white envelope to Lakeville Conn., sender's routing "Via Bridgeport", light central toned spot from wax seal, Extremely Fine, scarce without the pen cancel, ex Mirsky, with 1999 P.S.E. certificate
New York N.Y., 5c Black, "ACM" Initials (9X1). Mostly large margins, tied by red square grid cancel without pen cancel, matching "New York 5 cts. 25 Mar." (1847) integral-rate circular datestamp and "Paid" arc handstamp on folded letter to Mount Laurel N.Y., small repair at top center of cover, Extremely Fine, a choice use and scarce tied by the red square grid without pen cancel, with 1982 P.F. certificate
Providence R.I., 5c & 10c Gray Black, Se-Tenant (10X2a). Horizontal pair with top right corner sheet margins, other margins large, original gum, h.r., bold impression, Extremely Fine
Providence R.I., 5c & 10c Gray Black, Se-Tenant (10X2a). Complete sheet of twelve, unused (no gum), large margins, crisp impression, light corner crease at bottom left well clear of printed designA VERY FINE COMPLETE SHEET OF THE PROVIDENCE POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL.
Ex Hansen. With 1980 P.F. certificate