Sale 1048 — 2013 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Tuesday, 25 June, 2013
Category — First Day Postal Cards
1c Brown on Buff, Postal Card, Large "USPOD" in Monogram Watermark (UX1). Cancelled by Sunburst fancy cancel and "New York P.O. May 13 2:24 PM" circular datestamp, addressed to Lexington Ave. in New York, receiving backstamp of 5pm, back of card with note "First Postal Card ever sent through the U.S. Post Office"VERY FINE. THIS IS THE VERY FIRST POSTAL CARD EVER SENT THROUGH THE NEW YORK POST OFFICE. A PHENOMENAL RARITY.
According to the United States Postal Card Catalogue, for at least the first 50 years of postal card use, little attention was paid to observance of "first-day use" as we now know it. Even if an official first day of issue was announced, few cards, if any, were actually made available to the public on that day. In the case of the UX1, this was issued in Springfield Mass. on May 12, 1873 (one is known used on that day). Supplies reached Boston, Hartford, New York and Washington on the following day, which is the earliest known use from those cities. The card offered here with the manuscript notation is truly remarkable.
With 1978 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $14,500.00
1c Black on Buff, Postal Card (UX5). Cancelled by bold cross and "Springfield Mass. Sep. 30" (1875) double-circle datestamp, used to West Springfield Mass., addressed to "Master Ernest-Bagg in care of J W Gabb, West Springfield Mass.", manuscript "This card is the first one of the new issue ever mailed in the U.S. Sept. 30/75", this message is also repeated on back, insignificant edgewear not mentioned on accompanying certificateVERY FINE. A REMARKABLE POSTAL CARD. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED FIRST DAY USE OF THIS POSTAL CARD. BASED ON THE NOTATION, THIS IS ALSO THE VERY FIRST EXAMPLE OF THIS POSTAL CARD MAILED ON THE OFFICIAL FIRST DAY OF ISSUE. FIRST DAY POSTAL CARDS FOR ANY ISSUE ARE EXTREMELY RARE. THIS ITEM IS UNIQUE.
According to the United States Postal Card Catalogue, for at least the first 50 years of postal card use, little attention was paid to observance of "first-day use" as we now know it. Even if an official first day of issue was announced, few cards, if any, were actually made available to the public on that day. In many instances, since no rate change was involved, postmasters were ordered to exhaust their stock of old cards before ordering a supply of the new.
Accompanied by article from July-Oct. 1965 Postal Stationery (p. 23) discussing this card. Prior to the discovery of this card, the earliest known use was October 5.
With 1992 P.F. certificate
1c Black on Buff, Postal Card (UX5). Crisp impression, manuscript "(Specimen.)" in address panel and also addressed to Ernest Bagg in W. Springfield Mass., blue "U.S. Postal Ag'cy Springfield Mass. Sep. 17, 1875" double-oval datestamp, manuscript "Sent me by Mr. Baker on Sept. 21, 1875 as a specimen copy. One of the 25 made in the U.S.A. E.N.B.", corner crease at upper left, Very Fine, extremely rare Specimen card with U.S. Post Office Department datestamp prior to first day of issue (Sep. 30, 1875 -- see previous lot)