Sale 1090 — United States, Possessions and Confederate States Stamps and Postal History
Sale Date — Wednesday-Friday, 17-19 December, 2014
Category — Telegraph Company Stamps
American Telegraph Typewriter Co., 1910, Orange Essay (unlisted in Scott). Pane of four, left vertical pair has full gum (bottom stamp Mint N.H.), right pair part disturbed gum from being stuck down, toned spots affect top pair, thin in top right stamp, otherwise Fine-Very Fine, this unissued complimentary frank stamp is considered to be an essay, it is scarce as a single and very rare as a full pane
Baltimore & Ohio Telegraph Co., 1886, 1c-10c Kendall, Hoen Imprints (3T8, 3T9, 3T14-3T16, 3T15a). Panes of six, all with original gum, one or two in each h.r., others Mint N.H., pane of 3T15a imperf without gum, staple holes in selvage as usual (enlarged on a couple), 3T15 with stain spots in two stamps, otherwise Fine-Very Fine, 3T15a ex Lilly and Scott Retail $157.50 as three pairs, others approximately $450.00 Scott Retail
California State Telegraph Co., 1870, Blue & Black (5T1). Original gum, red crayon "104", Very Fine, an excellent companion to the one offered in the next lot which has the "104" as a red handstamp, ex Scarsdale, with 2000 P.F. certificate
California State Telegraph Co., 1870, Blue & Black (5T1). Original gum (brownish as always), handstamped serial no. 104, Fine, a very scarce sound original-gum example of this California State Telegraph issue with the handstamped serial number, much more desirable than examples without the number or with handwritten number
California State Telegraph Co., 1870, Blue & Black (5T1). Complete sheet of 12 comprising two panes of six with horizontal interpane gutter, original gum (brownish as always), handstamped serial no. 104 on all stamps (doubled at top center), slightly toned, creased along gutter between panes and crimped with small puncture at center (as usual since these were folded and stapled into booklets), top right corner slightly clippedFINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF TWO COMPLETE SHEETS OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE TELGRAPH COMPANY 1870 BLUE & BLACK "BUSINESS" FRANK WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE.
The California Telegraph Company was the product of the 1861 consolidation of four companies responsible for the first transcontinental telegraph line. The 1870 Blue & Black typeset "Business" frank was the first issue. The black type was printed from a setting of six subjects repeated twice in a sheet of 12, with a blue background of ornaments also arranged in six subjects repeated twice in a sheet. Position 1 (top left in each pane of six) has an inverted ornament in the blue background at lower left (bottom row, second ornament), which breaks the pattern of diamond shapes. Position 3 has a repeating flaw in the "F" of "Free".
Booklets of 100 stamps were made by inserting 16 panes of 6 (96 stamps total) plus four additional stamps. The Kramer book speculates that stamps with red crayon serial numbers were added to the the booklets to make up the 100 count. The sheet offered here is one of two full sheets of 12 we have encountered. It is the largest possible multiple.
California State Telegraph Co., 1870 "Business" Frank Booklet Cover (for 5T1). Black on pink with 1870 yeardate, red "Business" imprint and "104" handstamped serial number, manuscript endorsement to "Placerville & SV RR Co." for 100 messages between "Sacramento & Shingle Springs", creased, hinge-reinforced along splits and tear at top right, still in very good condition for a booklet cover, exceedingly rare, this booklet originally contained 100 copies of the 1870 "Business" stamp (5T1), original booklets are generally scarce, but this early California State Telegraph Co. first-issue booklet is of the greatest rarity, pencil notation "Ward 10/21/49" on back indicating this was acquired from Philip H. Ward in 1949
California State Telegraph Co., 1870, Black & Red, Without Number (5T2). Original gum, fresh and Very Fine
California State Telegraph Co., 1871 "Business" Frank Booklet Cover (for 5T3). Intact booklet cover (without stamps), manuscript endorsement to "P. & S.V. R.R. Co." for messages between "Sacramento & Shingle Springs", handstamped serial no. 104, in excellent condition, extremely rare early California State Telegraph Co. booklet cover
California State Telegraph Co., 1871, Black & Salmon, Blue Number (5T4). Unused (no gum), blue serial no. "103", small repaired internal tear, otherwise Very Fine, scarce
California State Telegraph Co., 1872, Green & Red, Red Number (5T5). Original gum, h.r, fresh and Very Fine
California State Telegraph Co., 1873, Red & Salmon, Blue Number (5T6). Crackly original gum, small h.r. and paper adherence, blue serial no. "103", vivid color, wide margins and Very Fine, choice example of this scarce Telegraph stamp
California State Telegraph Co., 1874, Blue & Salmon, Black Number (5T7). Unused (no gum), serial no. 124, wide margins, Very Fine
California State Telegraph Co., 1875, Brown & Green, Black Number (5T8). Part original gum, h.r., serial no. 103, Fine
City & Suburban Telegraph Co., 1c-3c Black, Se-Tenant Strip (6T1-6T3). Strip of four with 1c-1c-2c-3c denominations, without gum as issued, full to large margin except touching at right, crisp impression, a couple light creases (as always) and small tear at top of second 1cVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE SE-TENANT STRIP OF ALL THREE VALUES OF THE CITY & SUBURBAN TELEGRAPH COMPANY ISSUE.
The City & Suburban, organized in 1855, was the first private telegraph company in the world to issue stamps. It was not profitable and its line was leased to Henry Bentley (of Bentley's Dispatch). Bentley experimented with a system of message depositories, for which these stamps were intended. The concept quickly failed and the stamps went unused for the most part. The Economist Stamp Company acquired a complete sheet of 60 stamps and divided it into strips and singles. The rows comprise 2-1-1-1-2-3 cent denominations, creating se-tenant multiples, which are quite rare.
Ex Lilly (where acquired by the collector). With 1949 P.F. certificate submitted by Lilly himself. Scott Retail as 1c-2c-3c strip plus additional 1c
City & Suburban Telegraph Co., 1c-3c Black, Se-Tenant Strip (6T1-6T3). Strip of all three values, without gum as issued, full to ample margins all around, sharp impression, two light vertical creases affecting the 1c and 2c stampsVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE SE-TENANT STRIP OF ALL THREE VALUES OF THE CITY & SUBURBAN TELEGRAPH COMPANY ISSUE.
As the preceding lot notes, se-tenant multiples come from one sheet of 60 that was cut into singles and se-tenant strips, making strips of all three values exceedingly rare.
City & Suburban Telegraph Co., 1c-3c Black (6T1-6T3). Without gum as issued, 1c with three margins, in at left, other two cut to shape, small faults, a desirable set of these rare telegraph stamps
City & Suburban Telegraph Co., 2c Black (6T2). Without gum as issued, large margins to just barely touching, sharp impression, small crease at bottom, Very Fine appearance
Colusa, Lake & Mendocino Telegraph Co., 1876, 5c Black (7T1). Complete pane of ten, "P.L.W." handstamp in blue, unused (no gum), Pos. 1 with sealed tear at top, faint stain affects three stamps in the top rowVERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE UNIQUE FULL PANE OF THE COLUSA, LAKE & MENDOCINO FIVE-CENT TELEGRAPH STAMP. ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF TELEGRAPH STAMP COLLECTING.
The Colusa, Lake & Mendocino was incorporated in 1875, with 260 miles of line extended through the counties of Colusa, Lake, Mendocino and Napa. Three stamps were issued for prepayment -- 5c, 10c and 25c. Only one example each of the 10c and 25c is known, and the 5c is very scarce. This unique pane of ten is an important Telegraph stamp rarity.
Ex Lilly (where acquired by the collector)
Colusa, Lake & Mendocino Telegraph Co., 1876, 5c Black (7T1). With "P.L.W." handstamp in blue, horizontal pair, original gum, h.r., crisp impression on fresh paper, tiny thin speck on right stamp, Fine-Very Fine, a very scarce multiple
Mutual Union Company, Blue and Carmine Franks (9T1-9T2). Both in a pane of four, Blue no gum, Carmine original gum and lightly hinged, brilliant colors, Very Fine
North American Telegraph Co., 1899, Violet (10T1). Original gum, h.r., serial no. 1138, Very Fine
North American Telegraph Co., 1899, Violet (10T1). Pane of four, original gum, lightly hinged in the top tab, serial no. 1086, fresh, left pair Fine, right pair Extremely Fine, a scarce pane
North American Telegraph Co., 1899, Violet, Booklet Cover (10T1 var). Cover that held the panes of four, serial no. 1085, a few small hinge marks, otherwise Very Fine
North American Telegraph Co., 1901, Green (10T2). Original gum, minor h.r., serial no. 1123, choice centering, Extremely Fine
North American Telegraph Co., 1902, Dark Brown (10T3). Disturbed original gum, serial no. 1715, perfs trimmed at bottom, still Very Fine
North American Telegraph Co., 1903, Blue (10T4). Original gum, serial no. 2105, fresh color, Very Fine
North American Telegraph Co., 1904, Violet (10T5). Original gum, serial no. 1066, fresh color, well-centered, small translucent stain in the left margin, otherwise Very Fine
North American Telegraph Co., 1904, Violet (10T5). Pane of four, original gum, h.r. in the top tab, serial no. 1066, bright color, Very Fine and scarce
North American Telegraph Co., 1904, Violet, Horizontal Pair, Imperforate Vertically (10T5a). Disturbed original gum, serial no. 1092, bright color, Very Fine, a scarce perforation variety
North American Telegraph Co., 1905, Red Brown (10T6). Original gum, lightly hinged, serial no. 1400, a few slightly nibbed perfs at right, otherwise Extremely Fine
North American Telegraph Co., 1906, Rose (10T7). Original gum (dried), serial no. 1404, fresh color, Very Fine
North American Telegraph Co., 1907, Green (10T8). Original gum, trivial h.r., choice centering, Extremely Fine
Northern Mutual Telegraph Co., 1883, 5c-25c Yellow Brown (11T1-11T4). Pane of 35, two rows each of 5c, 10c and 25c, one row of 20c, original gum, a few h.r., ms. note in the top margin, fresh and Very Fine
Northern New York Telegraph Co., Green and Red Franks, 1c Yellow, 10c Blue (12T1-12T4). No. 12T1 in pane of six, Nos. 12T2 and 12T4 singles, No. 12T3 block of four, original gum, Very Fine
Northern New York Telegraph Co., Green Frank, 1c Yellow (12T1, 12T4). Panes of six, Mint N.H. (usual streaky gum), Fine-Very Fine
Northern New York Telegraph Co., Red, "Frank 1895" Ovpt. (12T2). Pane of six, hinged only in the top margin, unusually bright and fresh, a Very Fine example of this scarce pane
Northern New York Telegraph Co., 10c Blue (12T4). Pane of six, Mint N.H. (usual streaky gum), well-centered, Very Fine and choice