Sale 920 — United States Rarities
Sale Date — Tuesday, 17 October, 2006
Category — Postmasters
Providence R.I., 5c & 10c Se-Tenant, Plate Proof on Card, Trial Color Proofs on Card (10X2P4, 10X2TC4). The complete set of cards comprising the plate proof on card and the four Scott-listed colors of the Trial Color proofs on card, colors incl. Gray Blue, Green, Brown Carmine and Brown, approximately 232 x 179mm with full plate sinkage, bright colors, minor corner bendsEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE COMPLETE SET OF THE PLATE PROOF AND TRIAL COLOR PROOFS FOR THE PROVIDENCE POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ISSUE.
This set is extremely rare. We know of only one other.
Providence R.I., 5c & 10c Gray Black, Se-Tenant (10X2a). Complete sheet of twelve, unused (no gum), large margins, crisp impressionVERY FINE COMPLETE SHEET OF THE PROVIDENCE POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL.
With 1982 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as with gum.
Providence R.I., 5c & 10c Gray Black, Se-Tenant (10X2a). Original gum, large margins incl. top right corner selvage, bright shade, usual natural gum bends, small faults confined to top selvage, Very Fine appearance, with 1989 P.F. certificate
Providence R.I., 5c Gray Black (10X1). Position 2, full margins to clear, intense shade, cancelled by ms. check mark as is usually found on this issue, Fine, a rare sound used example of this Postmaster's Provisional, with 2005 P.F. certificate
St. Louis Mo., 5c Black on Greenish (11X1). Position 5, ample margins to slightly in along outer framelines only, sharp impression on deep greenish paper, without pen cancellation and tied by red "St. Louis Mo. Feb. 5" (ca. 1846) circular datestamp, matching "Paid" straightline struck twice -- once near stamp and again with ms. "5" rate -- on folded cover to the postmaster of Gallatin Mo.VERY FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE ST. LOUIS 5-CENT "BEARS" PROVISIONAL USED ALONE TO PAY UNDER-300 MILES RATE. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE STAMP CANCELLED SOLELY BY THE RED CIRCULAR DATESTAMP.
This is an unusual use of the St. Louis provisional stamp to pay the 5c rate. Most surviving examples on cover were mailed over the 300-mile limit for the 5c rate. The address to another postmaster is also unusual.
With 1974 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail for a cover with usual pen cancellation
St. Louis Mo., 10c Black on Greenish (11X2). Position 6, large margins all around, intense proof-like impression on deep greenish paper, two neat pen stroke cancels, tied by red "St. Louis Jan. 13" circular datestamp, matching "Paid" and ms. "10" rate on 1846 folded letter to Charnley & Whelen at Philadelphia, usual horizontal file foldEXTREMELY FINE AND FRESH. A SUPERB STAMP ON A PRISTINE COVER -- ONE OF THE CHOICEST ST. LOUIS "BEARS" PROVISIONAL COVERS FROM THE FAMOUS CHARNLEY & WHELEN FIND.
With 1999 P.F. certificate
St. Louis Mo., 10c Black on Greenish (11X2). Position 2, full top right corner sheet margins with large margin at left and just in at bottom, without pen cancellation and tied by red "St. Louis Mo. Jun. 28" (ca. 1846) circular datestamp, matching "Paid" and ms. "10" rate on folded cover to New York, stamp affixed by sender over a wrinkle in lettersheet which does not affect stamp,VERY FINE. A MAGNIFICENT CORNER-MARGIN COPY OF THE ST. LOUIS 10-CENT "BEARS" PROVISIONAL ON COVER. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE CANCELLED SOLELY BY THE RED CIRCULAR DATESTAMP.
Ex Hessel. With 1976 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail for a cover with usual pen cancellation