Sale 1316 — United States Postal History
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 19-20 March, 2024
Category — Carriers and Locals
U.S.P.O., Philadelphia Pa., 1c Blue (7LB12). Large margins, rich color, cancelled by well-struck red Star, second strike at left, on blue cover to Princeton N.J., used with 3c Orange Brown, Ty. II (10A), large margins to just in, tied by blue "Philadelphia Pa. Oct. 21" circular datestamp, docketing on back with 1851 yeardate, Extremely Fine, a gorgeous cover, ex Dr. Maffeo, with 1989 P.F. certificate
U.S.P.O., Philadelphia Pa., 1c Black (7LB16). Rectangular margins, which are most unusual for this stamp, tied by grid on small cover to Florence Heights N.J., a 3c stamp has been removed from upper left, but part of tying Philadelphia circular datestamp still shows, stamp with couple inconsequential small toned spots, original letter enclosed
VERY FINE EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE WORLD'S RAREST STAMPS, WHICH WAS MADE BY APPLYING THE U.S.P.O. EAGLE HANDSTAMP TO THE MARGINS OF ONE-CENT 1851 SHEETS. ONLY FIVE EXAMPLES OF THE 7LB16 ARE RECORDED.
The Philadelphia carrier stamps printed on the sheet selvage of imperforate 1c 1851 stamps hold a unique position in United States philately. Elsewhere in the world there are very few instances in which sheet selvage was used to produce adhesive stamps -- the Emory Va. Confederate provisional and early stamps of Zanzibar come to mind as other examples.
Based on genuine dated examples of Scott 7LB16 and 7LB18, as well as the record of Eagle Carrier covers used in Philadelphia, it appears that the supply of Eagle Carrier stamps in Philadelphia was depleted sometime in 1856 and that the carrier department resorted to substitute means of supplying stamps for prepayment of the carrier fee. One step was to obtain and distribute 1c 1851 stamps, which required a special accounting arrangement with the post office. Another was the creation of the handstamped adhesives, Scott 7LB16 and 7LB18.
Two handstamps were used to create Philadelphia carrier stamps in 1856: the Eagle oval (Scott type C31), which produced 7LB16, and the large oval (type C32), from which 7LB18 was made. Both are rare, but 7LB16 is considerably rarer, with only five examples recorded:
1) Rectangular margins, on cover with 3c 1851 removed, ex Hessel, Golden and Dr. Morris, the example offered here
2) Rectangular margins, used on cover with strip of three 1c 1851, ex Caspary
3) Diamond-shaped margins, on piece with one 1c 1851 stamp intact, ex Caspary, Boker, Golden, D.K. Collection, Sale 908, lot 4517
4) Rectangular margins showing part of imprint, used on cover to San Francisco with 10c 1855, 1993 Rarities sale, lot 338
5) Irregular but mostly rectangular margins, grid cancel, Sale 771, lot 1151
Ex Hessel, Golden and Dr. Morris. With 2000 P.F. certificate.
American Letter Mail Co., 5c Small Eagle, Trial Color Die Proofs on India (5L1TC3). Six, each a different color, without scratches on the die indicating these are early impressions, large margins, each with "Proof" handstamp on back, far better condition than normally seen but few with small wrinkles typical of this fragile paper, Very Fine and scarce group
Bayonne City Dispatch, Bayonne City N.J., 1c Black (9L1). Large margins all around, used with 1c Gray Blue (206) and 2c Vermilion (183), all three tied by square segmented cork cancels and "Bergen Point N.J. Jun. 14, 1883" duplex datestamps on cover addressed locally, top left corner of cover nicked from opening, U.S. stamps with a couple small gum spots, Very Fine and extremely rare combination of of the Bayonne City Dispatch used with 1c and 2c Bank Note issue stamps all tied together on a cover, we are aware of only one other such combination (see Sale 925, lot 1282), with 1984 P.F. certificate
Bayonne City Dispatch, Bayonne City N.J., 1c Black (9L1). Large margins to clear, tied by bold strike of purple target cancel, matching "Bayonne City Dispatch, May 14, 1883" three-line handstamp on cover to Bergen Point N.J., fresh and Very Fine
Bicycle Mail Route, Cal., 25c Green (12L1). Spelling error "San Fransisco", large margins, small tear at right, tied by "Fresno Cal. Jul. 16, 1894" duplex datestamp on 2c Columbian entire (U349) to Fresno, backstamped with Jul. 16, 1894 purple "Victor Bicycle Messenger Service." Fresno office datestamp with bicycle illustration, Fresno receiving backstamp, purple Overman Wheel Co. four-line handstamp on front, small tear at bottom of cover, Very Fine appearance, ex Hollowbush, this inter-city service was established during the railroad union strike in 1894 by the Fresno agent for Victor bicycles, Arthur C. Banta — service commenced on July 6 and was discontinued on July 18 when the strike ended — only 380 letters were carried during the brief period of operation
Bicycle Mail Route, Cal., 25c Green, Retouched Die (12L2). Large margins to clear at right corner, minute margin teat at bottom, tied by light "San Francisco Cal. Jul. 19 10:30AM 1894" machine cancel and used with 2c Carmine (220), on cover with Victor Cyclery illustrated advertising corner card to San Francisco, Jul. 17, 1894 purple "Victor Bicycle Messenger Service" Fresno office datestamp with bicycle illustration on back, purple Overman Wheel Co. four-line handstamp on front, fresh and Very Fine, especially desirable with the bicycle-themed corner card, with clear 1979 P.F. certificate, this inter-city service was established during the railroad union strike in 1894 by the Fresno agent for Victor bicycles, Arthur C. Banta — service commenced on July 6 and was discontinued on July 18 when the strike ended — only 380 letters were carried during the brief period of operation, Scott value without premium
Bicycle Mail Route, Cal., 25c Brown Entire (12LU2). On 2c Green on Amber (U312), cancelled by parallel bars, 2c embossed stamp cancelled by grid, "Fresno Cal. Jul. 18 8:30 AM 1894" circular datestamp to manager of Victor Bicycle Agency Fresno, purple handstamped address, Jul. 18, 1894 purple "Victor Bicycle Messenger Service" Fresno office datestamp with bicycle illustration on back, fresh and Very Fine, scarce, with 1987 P.F. certificate
Boyd's City Dispatch, New York N.Y., 2c Blue on Red (20L29). Full margins to ample, crayon cancel, thinned at top, Very Fine appearance, with 2016 P.F. certificate
Bradway's Despatch, Millville N.J., (unstated value) Gold on Lilac (21L1). Large margins, couple small gum stains, cancelled by pen strokes on 3c Red Nesbitt entire (U9) to Philadelphia street address, entire with light creasing and soiling
VERY FINE. ONE OF FOUR RECORDED COVERS BEARING THE BRADWAY'S DESPATCH STAMP. A MAJOR RARITY OF LOCAL POSTS.
Our records contain four examples of the Bradway local stamp on cover:
1) Jan. 15 (ca. 1857), pen cancelled (not tied) with 3c 1851 to Phoenix R.I., ex Caspary and Ambassador Middendorf
2) Jan. 27 (ca. 1857), pen cancelled (not tied) on 3c Nesbitt entire to Philadelphia, ex Boker and Haub, the cover offered here
3) Mar. 27 (ca. 1857), pen cancelled (not tied), used with 3c 1851 on cover to Bridgeton N.J., ex Golden and Kuphal (Siegel Sale 925, lot 1413)
4) Uncancelled, "Paid" straightline on small cover to local addressee, ex Ferrary and Golden (Sale 817, lot 774)
Little is known about this local post. Millville is located in Cumberland County in southern New Jersey, about 10 miles east of Bridgeton and 40 miles southeast of Camden and Philadelphia. Based on the dates of the known covers it appears the service only operated between January and March of 1857. Larry Lyons, in the New Jersey Postal History Journal (Vol. 42, no. 3), presumed the operator to be Isaac Bradway. There are no known examples either used or unused off-cover. "Bradway's Dispatch," with an "i" in place of an "e," was the subject of a fantasy stamp of a radically different design by S. Allen Taylor.
Ex Boker and Haub. With 2019 P.F. certificate.
(Greig's) City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Grayish, Sperati Reproduction (40L1 Sperati). Large margins to ample, tied by red octagonal "FREE" handstamp on piece with part of City Despatch circular datestamp, Very Fine and attractive, with 1994 P.F. certificate as genuine 40L1, which is an indicator of how scary good these reproductions really are
City Letter Express Mail, Newark, New Jersey, 1c Red (45L1). Cut to heart shape, used with 3c Dull Red, Type I (11), full margins to nicked at top left with small cut, both stamps tied by "Newark N.J. Aug. 22" (1856) circular datestamp on buff cover to Binghamton, New York, small opening tear at top center and minor edgewear
fine and extremely rare. One of only four examples of the City Letter Express Mail stamp tied on cover.
The Newark Daily Advertiser carried daily advertisements for Peck & Company's City Letter Express from June 12 through September 29, 1856. Augustus L. Peck's partner in the City News Office was R. Jaques, and their office was located at 324 Broad Street. The City Letter Express provided letter delivery to the mails (1c) and within the city (2c). Their competitor, Rogers' Penny Post, only carried letters to the post office. Peck's advertisements also solicited package-express business, which may have been on behalf of the New Jersey Express Company, which had its business in Newark during the same period (reference: Elliott Perry, Pat Paragraphs, reprint, pp. 405-408).
Our records contain just four examples of the 45L1 stamp tied on cover, all dated in 1856:
1) August 22, ex Golden, Kuphal, Hackmey and Gross, the cover offered here
2) October 28, ex Caspary, Ambassador Middendorf
3) December 1, ex Boker
4) July 31, 1c stamp damaged, reported by William T. Crowe.
Another three covers are recorded with uncancelled stamps, and four or five off-cover stamps are recorded.
Ex Golden, Kuphal, Hackmey and Gross. With 1999 P.F. certificate.
Clark & Co., New York N.Y., 1c Red on Yellow (48L1). Full margins to just touched, rich color, blue cancel, light diagonal creases, Fine appearance, with 1985 and 2022 P.F. certificates
(Hale & Co.) "Newark N.J. 6". Manuscript rate and office designation over red Collect box, matching "Forwarded by Hale & Co. from Courier & Enquirer Building, New York" oval handstamp on folded letter addressed in blue to Albany N.Y., datelined Newark, Sep. 3, 1844, docketed just below markings, Very Fine, Gutman lists three Hale covers from Newark with New York office markings (Independent Mails book), he speculates that they were privately carried to Hale's New York office, but the manuscript Newark marking on this cover indicates a Hale agent was involved, ex Hahn
Humboldt Express (Langton's), Nevada, 25c Brown (86L1). Unused, ample margins all around, fresh and Very Fine
Humboldt Express (Langton's), Nevada, 25c Brown (86L1). Clear margins to just in, neat blue oval handstamp, tiny nick at top just into margin, Fine
Jay's Dispatch, Richwood's Dispatch, La Hoyt, Iowa. Red Richwood's Dispatch stamp with letter carrying pigeon affixed over James C. Jay corner card and tied by fancy blue handstamp, pair 1c Ultramarine (212) tied by target (between perfs) on cover addressed to Quaker City Philatelist in Philadelphia, "La Hoyt Ioa. Feb, 9, 1888" circular datestamp, reverse with beautiful advertising design for Merchant's Gargling Oil, Philadelphia receiving backstamp, Very Fine, this post probably had some utilitarian value beyond its philatelic inspiration, Merchant's Gargling Oil produced one of the iconic Match & Medicine private die stamp designs, depicting a horse (RS178-179), ex Stimmell
Jenkins' Camden Dispatch, Camden N.J., (unstated value) Black, Lithographed, Fine Impression (89L1). Halstead Type 4, three large margins, just slightly in at upper right, pencil cancel, used with 3c Claret, Ty. II (11A), large margins to in on two sides, tied by "Camden N.J. Apr. 21" circular datestamp on cover to Philadelphia street address, Very Fine, one of 12 recorded covers with 89L1 and only two are to-the-mails uses with U.S. postage, ex Stimmell, with 2003 P.F. certificate
Jenkins' Camden Dispatch, Camden N.J., (unstated value) Black on Yellow, Typographed from Woodcut, Coarse Impression (89L2). Halstead Type 2, clear impression on fresh paper, large margins to full at top, pencil cancel, small thin spots and small corner crease
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF SIX RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE JENKIN'S CAMDEN DISPATCH STAMP ON YELLOW PAPER.
An overview of Jenkins' Camden Dispatch and the different stamp printings is provided in our Golden sale catalogue (Sale 817, lot 1273). We record only six examples of the Scott 89L2 stamp on yellow paper. This stamp is the illustrated example in the Scott Catalogue.
Ex Lyons and Gorham. With 2000 P.F. certificate
Letter Express (Wells), 5c Black on Pink Glazed (96L1). Horizontal pair, three large to huge margins, clear at top, manuscript "X" cancels, conjunctive use with Pomeroy's Letter Express 5c Black on Yellow (117L1), full margins to clear at lower right, cancelled by red "Cd." handstamp (impression ties thru paper) on front only to L. Barton Stout at Allen's Hill, New York (south of Rochester), probably originated in Cleveland, sender's directive "By the 'Express Mail' -- care of Ralph Chapin, Canandaigua, who will re-mail it at C. if necessary to get it to Mr. S. soon. C.B.S.", docketed with Aug. 6, 1844 mailing date (probably a later notation) and pencil Aug. 15 receipt date, small edge nicks, Pomeroy stamp has small tear and corner crease at bottom right, Letter Express pair slightly creased at top right
FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE MIXED FRANKING AND CONJUNCTIVE USE OF WELLS' LETTER EXPRESS AND POMEROY'S LETTER EXPRESS STAMPS.
Half of the advertised Letter Express rate of 121/2c (two oval stamps or one circular) for destinations between Buffalo and New York City was allocated to Pomeroy's Letter Express, which actually carried the mail west of Buffalo. Some letters have only Letter Express stamps, while others have a Pomeroy stamp affixed by the Wells office to credit Pomeroy for its share of postage. Such mixed frankings are very rare.
This front was completely missing from the record of Independent Mail covers until it surfaced a few years ago. Illustrated in the Independent Mails book (Pomeroy's Letter Express chapter). Ex Dr. Puliafito.
Letter Express (Wells), 5c Black on Green Glazed (96L2). Horizontal pair, large to enormous margins (possibly top right corner sheet margins), uncancelled, vertical crease thru right stamp, both have tiny pinholes and wrinkles, overall Extremely Fine appearance, this uncancelled pair was removed from a cover offered in our Golden sale (a third stamp was cut out from the cover), for all practical purposes it is an unused multiple, no blocks are known and multiples are very rare, ex Golden and Dr. Puliafito
Moore's Newspaper & Parcel Express, Daily, between Cape May and Philadelphia. Black on green label with office addresses used on Quaker-dated Aug. 20, 1849 folded letter from Philadelphia to Miller's Hotel in Cape May, manuscript "pd", stamp with small knife cut at bottom not mentioned on accompanying certificate, gum staining around stamp has been expertly removed, Very Fine, very few covers are known carried by Moore's Express, which ran to and from Cape May, this is the listing example of the label and possibly the only one extant, ex Hollowbush, Hahn and Dr. Morris, with 2010 P.F. certificate
Overton & Co., (5c) Black on Greenish (113L1). Uncancelled, large margins to clear at bottom, slight thin and crease in top margin at left (could be trimmed off), Very Fine, scarce, ex Schwartz and Dr. Puliafito
Overton & Co., (5c) Black on Greenish (113L1). Large margins, cancelled by pen stroke and red "Cd." handstamp (Pomeroy's old device) applied by Overton on small folded Valentine poem to a student at Yale College in New Haven Conn., red "Overton & Co's City Mail, Office, 3 Broad Street" oval handstamp, put into the mails with red "New-York Feb. 15" (1845) circular datestamp, blue manuscript "20" rate
EXTREMELY FINE. A REMARKABLE USE OF THE OVERTON & CO. STAMP ON A VALENTINE COVER FROM ALBANY TO NEW HAVEN VIA NEW YORK CITY.
This is one of the most remarkable Independent Mail covers we have ever encountered. The red “Cd.” cancel on the Overton stamp was originally used by Pomeroy’ Letter Express. After Pomeroy discontinued its letter-mail service, Overton apparently used the “Cd.” and “Paid” devices. This letter was carried outside the mails to New York City, where Overton’s City Mail Co. local post delivered it to the post office for transmission to New Haven. For an unknown reason, Overton did not use the services of another Independent Mail firm. The 20c rate is puzzling. Perhaps the New York City post office was wise to the letter’s origin and charged full postage to New Haven.
Ex Geisler and Dr. Puliafito. With 2009 P.F. certificate.
Overton & Co., (5c) Black on Greenish (113L1). Large margins to just touched, infinitesimal corner crease at bottom left mentioned on most recent certificate, cancelled by "PAID" handstamp, red "Overton & Co's City Mail, Office, 3 Broad Street" oval handstamp on folded cover to local street address in New York City, some slight wear and stains, still Very Fine and scarce with perhaps 20-25 known on cover, ex Geisler and Stimmell, with 1982 and 2009 P.F. certificates
Pomeroy's Letter Express, John E. Gavit and Engraving Collateral. Three interesting items: autograph letter signed John E. Gavit, engraver of the Pomeroy stamp, the Albany postmaster's provisional essay and others, dated Aug. 9, 1835; large sheet with Gavit advertisement showing engraved calling cards of presidents and address at 4 Exchange Building, Albany; and a second smaller advertising leaf with beautiful engraving including female figure used on the Pomeroy stamp, minor faults, but all highly exhibitable and ideal for a specialized collection, ex Dr. Puliafito
Pomeroy's Letter Express, 5c Black on Yellow Surface-Colored Paper, Value Complete and Incomplete (117L1, 117L2). Singles of each, Positions 9L and 10R, large margins, each cancelled by manuscript "X" on folded letter datelined "New York Sept. 24, 1844" to Detroit, stamps with faults including small edge creases and tears and vertical file fold, otherwise Fine, the Value Incomplete variety (117L2) comes from one of several positions on the plate with the value "20 for $1" incomplete ("$1" removed), this state of the plate was used only for printing stamps in Black on Yellow paper, the Gutman Independent Mails book reports 21 covers with the Value Incomplete stamp in the Pomeroy census, this is one of only two reported covers with a combination of Value Complete and Value Incomplete stamps—these two covers advance the hypothesis that both varieties (and both stamps) were present one plate (and one sheet), with 2023 P.F. certificate
Pomeroy's Letter Express, 5c 1844 Issue (117L2A, 117L2B, 117L2C, 117L3-117L9 and varieties). 29 stamps on an exhibit page with every stamp identified by paper and color, some duplicates to show the face and back of the stamp, this is the classification system created by Scott Trepel which is the basis of the Scott listings (The Penny Post, January 2004), includes the rare Black on Buff thick wove paper (117L2A) which is considered by some to be an actual plate proof impression, 6 stamps on pelure (Blue, Black and Chocolate Brown, 2 of each to show pelure on back, all unused), 11 on thin handmade bond including Blue (2, unused and used), Black (2, unused and used), Lake (2 used), Orange Red (2, unused and used), Chocolate Brown (2, unissued) and an unlisted but evidently genuine Bright Yellow (the only recorded example), also 5 on yellow paper and 6 on medium fibrous paper which are unissued remainders or reprints (all very common), mostly large margins, some minor faults, overall a Very Fine group of stamps that would be very difficult to reassemble, illustrated in the Independent Mails book, Scott value for the items listed with prices is $2,645, but that does not include 117L2A, any of the stamps on pelure paper or the unlisted Bright Yellow, ex Dr. Puliafito
Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $1.00 Blue, Garter (143L6). With blue pen line across shield, huge margins, Extremely Fine, Scott value for genuine stamp with line
Wells, Fargo & Co., 10c-$4.00 Pony Express 1897 Reprint, Black Plate Proof on Wove. Complete sheet with defaced $4.00 column at left, full margins all around, light crease at top but free of the heavier faults encountered on other examples, Very Fine and rare, this is only the fifth example we have offered in 30 years, all but one of the others had the top sheet margin reduced
Westervelt's Post, Chester N.Y., (1c) Black on Buff (144L1). Large margins, "tied" by some staining from gum, used with 3c Rose (65) which is tied by target, "Paterson N.J. Apr. 29" circular datestamp on cover to Chester N.Y., manuscript instructions at bottom left "Care of C.H Westervelt", slightly reduced at right, Fine and scarce combination, there are a number of covers known from Paterson N.J. sent care of Westervelt on arrival in Chester, the local stamp was likely affixed by the recipient on receipt, ex Kuphal and Markovits, signed Sloane
Guam, 1899, 1c-10c Overprints (1-2, 4-8). Cancelled or tied by "Guam Feb. 6-1901" purple straightline datestamp on registered cover to Oldenburg, Germany, Agana registry marking, receiving backstamp, fresh and Very Fine, a colorful use, the 4c, 6c and 8c each catalogue $450 apiece on cover