Sale 1232 — United States Stamps and Postal History
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 30-31 March, 2021
Category — Specialized 2c Black Jack Collection: Covers
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
1597
2c Black (73). Centered to top right, tied by bold strike of blue negative 5-Point Star in Circle of Triangles fancy cancel, matching "New-York City 24 Jun." duplex datestamp on Excelsior Life Insurance corner card cover to Bible House in New York, backflap tear barely extends to front in corner card, Extremely Fine strike of this elaborate fancy cancel, ex Faust
E. 750-1,000
900
1598
2c Black (73). Used with 1857 1c Blue, Ty. V (24), tied by circle of wedges cancel and "New-York May 2" circular datestamp on cover to Copenhagen N.Y., 2c with crease in top margin, otherwise Very Fine, unusual and rare example of the demonetized 1c accepted as postage, the Black Jack was not issued until 1863 which is long after demonetization, ex Metzger and Faust, with 1979 P.F. certificate
E. 750-1,000
800
Back to Top1599
2c Black (73). Choice centering, tied by "Rockland Me. Sep. 9" double-circle datestamp on light yellow cover with Temperance design showing Fremont, with the Jackson stamp affixed over portrait, sent to Hopewell Hill, New Brunswick, large "1c" due marking for Colonial rate, Hillsborough transit backstamp, the postmaster at Hopewell Hill must have had a hangover the day this arrived, because we count no less than 16 albino strikes of his postmark (perhaps he didn't believe in temperance), minor edgewear, Very Fine, ex Faust
E. 1,000-1,500
1,900
Back to Top1600
2c Black (73). Tied by segmented cork cancel, "Hanoverton Ohio Aug. 31" circular datestamp on unsealed Lincoln and Johnson illustrated 1864 Presidential Campaign cover to Millport O., some slight edgewear, Very Fine, scarce circular rate use of a campaign cover, ex Faust, with 1978 P.F. certificate
E. 750-1,000
1,300
Back to Top1601
2c Black (73). Tied by "Philadelphia Pa. Apr. 15, 1864" circular datestamp on unsealed "Great Central Fair for the Sanitary Commission" illustrated cover to New London Conn., Very Fine, ex Russo and Faust, with 1980 P.F. certificate
E. 750-1,000
1,000
Back to Top1602
2c Black (73). Two, affixed slightly overlapping, tied by segmented cork cancel, light strike of "New-York Mar. 18" circular datestamp on unsealed Metropolitan Fair Ladies' Executive Committee corner card cover to Brooklyn N.Y., second strike of cancel at right, Very Fine, the Metropolitan Fair was held in New York from April 4-27, 1864, and was largely organized by the Ladies' Executive Committee, this is a scarce corner card of the Committee and very desirable used with the Black Jack stamps, ex Faust
E. 750-1,000
2,200
Back to Top1603
2c Black (73). Centered to bottom right, tied by circle of wedges, "Hillsborough N.C. Jun. 29" duplex datestamp on buff cover with North Carolina Military and Polytechnic Academy illustrated design depicting the academy, to Colonel James Burr in Wilmington N.C., Very Fine, the recipient defended Wilmington and after its evacuation he was sent to meet General Sherman to surrender the city, ex Faust, with 1987 P.F. certificate
E. 400-500
300
Back to Top1604
2c Black (73). Cancelled by cork, "Boston Mass. Apr. 28" circular datestamp on National Bridge and Iron Works folded illustrated circular with additional illustrations inside to Philipston Mass., stamp with two pulled perfs at bottom, still a Very Fine and attractive Black Jack use, with 1998 P.F. certificate
E. 400-500
300
Back to Top1605
2c Brown (113). Tied by grid cancel and part strike of Charleston Ill. circular datestamp, used with 2c Black, F. Grill (93), straddle pane margin at left, similarly cancelled on Charleston Hotel illustrated advertising cover depicting a bird in the brush, cleaned and small sealed cover tear at right, Very Fine appearance, a beautiful illustrated cover with two different 2c stamps, an interesting note: one of the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates was held in Charleston on Sep. 18, 1858, with 1995 Richter certificate
E. 300-400
275
Back to Top1606
2c Black (73). Two, affixed slightly overlapping, tied by bold quartered cork cancels, "Auburn N.Y. Oct. 4" circular datestamp on Auburn Agricultural Works illustrated advertising cover depicting their patented "Thill Horse Hoe, Improved", addressed to North Nassau N.Y., 1867 docketing at left, small cover tear at top left, stamps with some small perf stains, Very Fine, a beautiful illustrated agricultural tool design, ex Faust, the Auburn Agricultural Works "Patent Thill Horse Hoe" was described by the New York State Agricultural Society as giving the operator better control and being less fatiguing to him and to the horse
E. 500-750
550
Back to Top1607
2c Black, E. Grill (87). Rosette cancel which ties stamp (thru perfs at bottom) on large overall illustrated Guffroy's Cod Liver Extract advertising cover depicting eagles, shields, flags and a large cod, addressed to Halowell Maine, George H. Felt 1868 imprint on flap, original enclosure which is also illustrated and gives a long treatise on the health benefits of cod liver oil, trivial toning around stamp edges from gum, short perfs at left, Very Fine, a remarkable design and very desirable with the Black Jack, ex Faust
E. 400-500
225
Back to Top1608
2c Black, Vertical Half Used as 1c (73d var). Three vertical halves, two bisects still intact as a pair at right, lefthand bisect is affixed to create the appearance of a whole stamp at left, cancelled across the cuts by neat open cross and tied by "Loch Sheldrake N.Y. Jun. 8" circular datestamp on yellow cover to Port Jervis N.Y., letter enclosure dated June 7, 1869, opened roughly at right but not affecting stamps, lefthand bisect with faint creaseVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE "TRIPLE BISECT" USE OF BLACK JACK STAMPS ON COVER TO PAY THE 3-CENT RATE.
This is a most unusual cover, with three vertical bisects used together, and one bisect carefully positioned to create the appearance of a whole stamp -- the slight misalignment of the framelines shows that they are not halves of the same stamp. This configuration was not noted when we offered this cover in the 1969 sale of the Katharine Matthies collection, but the accompanying certificate confirms the arrangement of three vertical bisects. We are not aware of another "triple bisect" with the Black Jack or any other classic U.S. stamp.
Ex Matthies, Dr. Rorke and Faust. With 1972 P.F. certificate as the old Scott 73b
E. 2,000-3,000
2,000
Back to Top1609
2c Black, D. Grill (84). Centered to top, interpane margin at right showing portion of divider mark, clear grill, tied by circular cork cancel with "Concord N.H. Mar. 13" circular datestamp on buff cover to St. Albans Vt., Fine, the 2c D Grill is the rarest of the regular-production 1867-68 Grilled Issues (excluding the 1867 trials and rarest Z Grills), ex Faust, Scott value $5,500.00
E. 500-750
375
Back to Top1610
2c Black (73). Used with 5c Brown (76) and 10c Green (68), perfs scissors-separated on 2c and 5c but mostly intact, 5c nicked in left margin, tied by blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. San Francisco Mar. 9" oval datestamps, used with Vancouver Island, 1865, 5c Rose (5) tied by blue "PAID" in double oval handstamp on 3c Pink on White entire with Wells Fargo & Co. printed frank, affixed to slightly smaller cover to New York, blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Victoria Feb. 26" oval datestamp, entered the U.S. mails at New York where "New York City 3 Apr." duplex datestamp and quartered cork cancel was applied, additionally tying stamps, some slight wear, paste-up opened bit roughly at rightVERY FINE. A RARE AND ATTRACTIVE BRITISH COLUMBIA AND UNITED STATES MIXED-FRANKING COVER FROM VICTORIA, VANCOUVER ISLAND, TO NEW YORK, CARRIED BY WELLS, FARGO & CO. EXPRESS.
This was handled by Wells Fargo's office in Victoria. Even though Wells Fargo carried it, the postage prepayment requirement was the same as if it went through the mails. The U.S. stamps pay the double 10c rate. This was carried outside the mails until it reached New York City.
Ex Faust.
E. 4,000-5,000
3,000
Back to Top1611
2c Black (73). Used with block of six and three singles of 1c Blue (63) and three singles of 3c Rose (65), cancelled or tied by single penstrokes on back of 1865 cover to Lieutenant Colonel Ward, 6th Rifles, Montreal, Canada, sender's directive "Via New York", New York "Steamship 10" in circle handstamp, manuscript "Paid" at top right, "Montreal AP 7 65" backstamp, right pair in block pre-printing paperfold, few stamps with flaws from placement at or over edge of cover, Very Fine and very unusual, this originated outside of the U.S. and was charged 10c on entry (denoted by the Steamship handstamp), it was then charged 10c for postage between the U.S. and Canada, the recipient, a member of the British 6th Rifles, was part of a force defending Canada against invasion in the aftermath of the Civil War -- in fact, small-scale attacks over the border by the Fenian Brotherhood (made up of former Union and Confederate soldiers) did occur from 1866 to 1871, ex Faust
E. 500-750
325
Back to Top1612
2c Black (73). Five, cancelled by quartered corks and tied by "Lockport N.Y. Jun. 6, 1864" double-circle datestamp on cover to St. Catherine's Canada West, red "U.S. 10cts. Paid" in oval handstamp also ties two stamps, slightly reduced at left, end stamps with couple tiny perf faults, Very Fine and attractive, a scarce "all Black Jacks" franking paying the 10c rate, ex Faust
View PDF of Highlights of this lot
E. 300-400
250
Back to Top1613
2c Black (73). Horizontal pair, used with horizontal pair of 3c Rose (65), cancelled by quartered corks, "Port Huron Mich. Feb. 3" circular datestamp on buff cover with attorney's blind embossed corner card to Berlin, Ontario, Canada, clear strike of "INSUFFICIENTLY PREPAID" handstamp, blue crayon "20" due marking, 1868 receiving backstamp, fresh and Very Fine, this was an underpaid double-rate letter so the 10c postage was complete disregarded, ex Faust
E. 300-400
325
Back to Top1614
2c Black (73). Three covers to Panama, first with single on homemade wrapper to Aspinwall, other two with two 2c and also two 3c Rose (65) overlapping and used from New Haven, one with negative Star of David cancels, few trivial stamp faults, Fine-Very Fine group, ex Faust
E. 400-500
475
Back to Top1615
2c Black, F. Grill (93). Horizontal pair and single, clear grill points, used with block of four of 24c Lilac (78), cancelled or tied by crossroads cancels on blue folded cover to Lima, Peru, magenta "San Francisco Paid Aug. 6" (1868) circular datestamp, red "72" manuscript credit, Panama transit datestamp (Aug. 20), receiving backstampVERY FINE. A UNIQUE FRANKING PAYING THREE-TIMES THE 24-CENT RATE TO PERU. A MARVELOUS EXHIBITION PIECE FROM THE LA CHAMBRE CORRESPONDENCE.
Ex Dr. Rorke and Faust.
E. 3,000-4,000
5,000
Back to Top1616
2c Black (73). Used with 3c Rose (65) and 10c Green (68), tied by deep magenta target cancels, matching "Pittsboro N.C. Nov. 13" (1866) circular datestamp on cover to Paris, France, red "New York Paid 12 Nov. 20" credit datestamp, red French entry datestamp of Dec. 2 and boxed "PD" handstamp tying Black Jack stamp, arrival backstamp, missing about half of backflap, Black Jack with couple tiny perf flaws, Fine and attractive three-color 15c franking to France, carried on the Cunarder Java from Boston on Nov. 21, 1866, arriving Liverpool Nov. 30, ex Allen and Faust
E. 400-500
400
Back to Top1617
2c Black, E. Grill (87). Two singles tied by circle of wedges cancels on cover to Paris, France, "Boston May 21" (1870) circular datestamp, sender's directive "Via England" and transited England with red London backstamp and "GB/40c" Anglo-French accountancy handstamp, Calais entry datestamp of Jun. 11, "5" decimes due handstamp, Very Fine use of two Black Jacks paying the 4c rate to England and due from the recipient for transit to France, carried on the HAPAG steamer Holsatia from New York on May 31, 1870, arriving Plymouth June 10, ex Faust
E. 750-1,000
800
Back to Top1618
2c Black on Orange entire, Die 4 (U56). Cancelled by cork, straightline "PRINTED CIRCULAR" at top of entire addressed to Barcelona, Spain, neat "-1/2 Rs" (reales) due handstamp in script, Barcelona 1870 receiving backstamp, mathematical notations on back, Very Fine and scarce Black Jack entire to Spain, ex Faust
E. 400-500
500
Back to Top1619
2c Black, F. Grill (93). Used with 3c Red, F. Grill (94) and 10c Green, F. Grill (96), tied by circle of wedges cancels, red "New York Paid All Oct. 8" (1868) circular datestamp on cover to Frankfort, Germany, red "Verviers A./Coeln/Franco" handstamp, missing part of backflap, fresh and Fine use via North German Union Closed Mail (15c rate), ex Faust
E. 300-400
325
Back to Top1620
2c Black (73). Used with 5c Brown (76) and two 10c Green (68) on 3c Pink entire (U58, slight oxidation), 2c tied by "Indianola Tex. Jun. 27" circular datestamp to Hanover, Germany, red "N. York Am. Pkt. 7 Paid Jul. 7" (1866) credit datestamp, blue "Aachen/Franco" boxed handstamp ties 5c and 10c stamps, slightly reduced at left, Very Fine, a colorful and choice Black Jack use to Germany via Prussian Closed Mail (28c rate, 2c overpayment), carried on Inman line steamer City of Boston from New York Jul. 7, 1866, arriving Liverpool Jul. 19, ex Faust, with 1979 P.F. certificate
E. 750-1,000
500
Back to Top1621
2c Black (73). Used with strip of three 10c Green (68), diamond grid cancels, 2c tied by "Fiddletown Cal. Dec. 6" (1866) circular datestamp on 3c Pink on Buff entire to Canton Graubunden, Switzerland, light strike of red "N. York Br. Pkt. Paid Jan. 1" circular datestamp ties right 10c, "12" cents credit handstamp, blue "Aachen/Franco" boxed handstamp, transit and receiving backstamps, manuscript credits, Very Fine and attractive use sent via Prussian Closed Mail, overpaying by 2c the 33c rate, carried on Cunarder Java from Boston on Jan. 2, 1867, arriving Queenstown Jan. 11, ex Faust
E. 750-1,000
1,200
Back to Top1622
12c Black (69). Used with 5c Brown and 2c Black (76, 73), 5c overlapping other two and tied by lightly struck circular cancels, bold "Fredericksburgh O. Nov. 22" (1866) circular datestamp on yellow cover to Berne, Switzerland, red "N. York Hamb Pkt. Paid Nov. 24" and "16" credit handstamps, blue "Franco" handstamp with blue manuscript "4" crossed out and re-written in red, red "1-1/4" due, blue 1866 Hamburg transit, other transit and receiving backstamps, bottom backflap opened roughly, Fine and rare franking for 19c rate to Switzerland via Hamburg Packet, ex Gliedman
E. 750-1,000
400
Back to Top1623
2c Black (73). Used with two pairs of 10c Green (68), left pair wildly misperfed with large portion of another stamp captured at left, tied by grid cancels and red "New York Paid 18 Aug. 3" (1867) credit datestamp on folded letter to Palermo, Italy, red French transit datestamp of Aug. 16 ties right 10c stamp, matching boxed "PD" handstamp, Palermo receiving backstamp, Very Fine double-21c rate Black Jack cover to Italy by French Mail, carried on the Havre Line steamer Arago from New York on Aug. 3, arriving Falmouth Aug. 16, ex Faust, with 1983 P.F. certificate
E. 750-1,000
800
Back to Top1624
2c Black, F. Grill (93). Vertical pair, clear grill, used with 15c Black, F. Grill (98), tied by circle of wedges cancel, red "New York Paid All Br. Transit Apr. 29" (1869) backstamp on tissue-paper cover to Rome, Italy, and forwarded to Paris, France, forwarding postage paid by Roman States, 1868 10c Black on Deep Crimson (23) and 40c Black on Greenish Yellow (24), latter with trivial corner crease at top left not mentioned on accompanying certificate, each tied by blue circular datestamp, red "4" credit handstamp, red Verviers-Cologne transit marking also ties 2c pair, several other transit and rate markings including blue crayon "WF 1-1/2" which is equivalent to 4c credit to the North German Union, blue Rome banker's straightline handstamp struck five times, some slight edgewear as normally associated with this kind of envelope paperVERY FINE. A COLORFUL AND UNIQUE BLACK JACK COVER SENT TO ROME VIA NORTH GERMAN UNION CLOSED MAIL AND THEN FORWARDED TO FRANCE WITH ROMAN STATES STAMPS.
The North German Union Closed Mail rate was effective from January 1, 1868, thru June 30, 1870. The U.S. rate to Rome was 19c per half ounce. The rate from Rome to France was 50 centesimi.
Ex Beane and Faust. With clear 2010 P.F. certificate
E. 4,000-5,000
8,000
Back to Top1625
2c Black (73). Three, used with two vertical pairs of 10c Green (68), one pair and one 2c affixed on back, all tied by dark blue Hollow Star in Circle fancy cancels, matching "Windsor N.Y. Apr. 24" (1866) circular datestamp on cover with scalloped decorative flaps to John F. Kingsley, Acting 3rd Assistant Engineer on board the U.S.S. Shenandoah at Table Bay, Cape of Good Hope, red "RETURNED FOR POSTAGE" two-line handstamp and pencil "due 21" applied at New York, red "N. York Am. Pkt. Paid 1866 May 5" circular datestamp, matching "24" credit handstamp, red London Paid transit datestamp (May 16), red crayon "1" (1p) Colonial rate, "Cape Town Cape-Colony JY 8 66" receiving datestamp, "Mauritius JY 30 66" backstamp indicates the final destination, small hole punch through one 2c at left (neatly mended), all stamps have small faults, cover a bit worn and slightly toned, some lightened staining at leftFINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE USE OF THE 2-CENT BLACK JACK AND 10-CENT 1861 ISSUE ON A COVER TO MAURITIUS, WHERE IT MET THE U.S.S. SHENANDOAH ON ITS POST-WAR JOURNEY TO THE FAR EAST VIA THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE, INDIA AND ASIA.
The rate to the Cape of Good Hope by British Mail via Southampton was 45c. Based on the identical centering of all 10c stamps, we have no doubt the stamps on the back were on the cover when it arrived at the New York foreign-mail office. They were probably overlooked when the cover was marked 21c due and "Returned for Postage", but detected before it was handstamped with the 24c credit to Great Britain and put on the Inman steamer City of London for the May 5, 1866, sailing to Queenstown.
On April 28, 1866, the U.S.S. Shenandoah departed Rio de Janeiro to join the Asiatic Squadron. After rounding the Cape of Good Hope, the ship visited various ports in India and Asia, including Mauritius, and reached Yokohama on April 5, 1867. The Mauritius backstamp indicates this was delivered to the addressee there.
Ex Dr. Rorke and Faust.
E. 2,000-3,000
1,600
Back to Top1626
2c Black Jack, Better Covers. 13 covers culled from a much larger group to capture better uses or frankings, nearly all are foreign-bound and many with other 1861-68 Issue stamps, destinations include Norway, Germany (with 24c 1861), France, Italy, England, Brazil, Canada, condition is quite mixed with varying degrees of faults -- several of these would be individual lots if sound -- overall Fine group, see our website PDF for a complete scan
View PDF of contents of this lot
E. 1,500-2,000
1,800
Back to Top1627
2c Black Jack, Cover Balance. Substantial balance of more than 170 covers, including both ungrilled and grilled issues, the vast majority are standard single frankings but there are occasional highlights, including colored cancels, an illustrated use, multiples, a nice lady's cover with auxiliary markings, etc., many are ex Fosdyke-Ray, mixed condition as to be expected in such an accumulation, overall Fine with many useful covers, Scott value as all single No. 73 frankings more than $12,000.00
E. 2,000-3,000
2,400
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