Sale 1239 — 2021 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Thursday, 24 June, 2021
Category — Postmasters' Provisionals
Brattleboro, Vermont, 5c Black on Buff (5X1). Position 8, bottom sheet margin with full imprint "Engd. by Thos. Chubbuck, Bratto.", three large margins, just in to ample at top, bottom margin large with imprint easily readable, intense shade, well-struck red "PAID" handstampVERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE BRATTLEBORO PROVISIONAL STAMP WITH THE IMPRINT -- FROM A NEW FIND AND OFFERED AT AUCTION FOR THE FIRST TIME.
The USPCS census records 53 stamps (33 off cover and 20 stamps on 19 covers). We can now add four additional off-cover stamps to this count (Positions 1, 3, 5 and 8), for a total of 57 known. Six of the recorded examples are from Position 8, below which the imprint is engraved -- three are on covers, including one cut in at bottom and not showing any part of the imprint. Of the six Position 8 stamps, only one shows the complete imprint (realized $22,000 hammer in our 2018 Wingate sale) and four others show portions of the letters. This example shows the second-largest portion of the imprint after the Wingate copy
Brattleboro, Vermont, 5c Black on Buff (5X1). Position 3, large margins to just touched at upper left including part of adjoining stamp at bottom, deep shade, unobtrusive strike of red "PAID" cancel at rightVERY FINE. A RARE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE BRATTLEBORO POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL STAMP, FROM A NEW FIND AND OFFERED AT AUCTION FOR THE FIRST TIME.
The USPCS census records 53 stamps (33 off cover and 20 stamps on 19 covers). We can now add four additional off-cover stamps to this count (Positions 1, 3, 5 and 8), for a total of 57 known.
Brattleboro, Vermont, 5c Black on Buff (5X1). Position 2, clear margins to just in, cancelled by red "PAID" straightline, second strike at right and matching "Brattleboro Vt. Apr. 5" (1847) circular datestamp on folded letter to Wareham Mass., stamp barely affected by vertical file foldVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN ATTRACTIVE COVER BEARING THE RARE 5-CENT BRATTLEBORO POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL STAMP.
The USPCS census records 53 stamps (33 off cover and 20 stamps on 19 covers). We can now add four additional off-cover stamps to this count (Positions 1, 3, 5 and 8), for a total of 57 known.
Ex Hessel and Wall. With 1997 P.F. certificate. Scott value on cover $25,000.00
New York N.Y., 5c Black, "A.C.M." Initials (9X1b). Position 12 indicated on back, large margins including portion of adjoining stamp above, just touched at bottom left, tied by red Boulogne arrival datestamp, large "New-York 5 Paid Aug. 15" integral-rate circular datestamp (used only on foreign mail) on 1845 folded letter to Marseilles, France, red "COLONIES/&c ART. 12" Anglo-French accountancy handstamp, manuscript "21" decimes due, Great Britain and French transits, addressee's last name slightly alteredVERY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING USE OF THE NEW YORK POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL WITH "A.C.M." INITIALS ON COVER TO FRANCE.
This was carried on the Cunarder Cambria, which left Boston Aug. 16, 1845 and arrived Liverpool Aug. 28. The Anglo-French accountancy marking on this cover was only in use for six months while the New York Postmaster's Provisional Issue was current.
Ex Walske. With 1991 P.S.E. certificate
St. Louis, Missouri, 5c Black on Greenish (11X1). Type III, Position 5, large even margins, cancelled by two neat penstrokes and trace of red circular datestamp in bottom left corner, faint horizontal crease that shows only when watermark fluid driesEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT ST. LOUIS PROVISIONAL ON GREENISH PAPER.
Ex Wingate. With 1965 and 1999 P.F. certificates
St. Louis, Missouri, 10c Black on Greenish (11X2). Types I/II, Positions 2/4, vertical pair, ample to large margins all around, intense impression on deep greenish paper, tied to small piece by red "St. Louis Mo. Feb. 25" (1846) circular datestamp, without any pen cancellation, cut horizontally thru bottom stamp and expertly rejoinedTOP STAMP EXTREMELY FINE AND BOTTOM STAMP VERY FINE APPEARANCE -- BOTH COMPRISING A RARE VERTICAL PAIR OF THE 10-CENT ST. LOUIS POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON GREENISH PAPER, WITH ONLY A HANDSTAMP CANCEL.
Fewer than a half-dozen pairs or strips of the 10c First Printing exist without the usual pen cancellation.
With 1976 P.F. and 2017 P.S.E. certificates. Scott value $18,000.00 for pair. Our estimate reflects the value of the Extremely Fine stamp with red datestamp and no pen cancellation.
St. Louis, Missouri, 10c Black on Greenish (11X2). Type II, Position 4, large margins to full at right, intense early shade and impression showing every detail with perfect clarity, tied by red "St. Louis Mo. Dec. 18" (1845) circular datestamp without pen cancel, matching "PAID" handstamp and manuscript "10" rate on folded letter to New YorkVERY FINE AND CHOICE STAMP ON A COVER TO NEW TORK. RARELY SEEN TIED SOLELY BY THE RED CIRCULAR DATESTAMP AND WITHOUT A PEN CANCEL. A BEAUTIFUL ST. LOUIS "BEARS" PROVISIONAL COVER.
The St. Louis "Bears" were issued by Postmaster John M. Wimer from November 1845 until the first United States General Issue became available in July 1847. The stamps were issued in three denominations -- 5c and 10c at first and a 20c denomination later -- and were sold at a premium over face value to pay the cost of printing.
USCPS Census no. 21115. Ex Seybold (with his backstamps) and Haub ("Erivan"). With 1974 Balasse and 2019 P.F. certificates. Scott value $14,000.00 for on-cover with the usual pen cancellation