Sale 1090 — United States, Possessions and Confederate States Stamps and Postal History
Sale Date — Wednesday-Friday, 17-19 December, 2014
Category — Carriers, Locals & Independent Mails
1c Blue, Eagle Carrier, Plate Proof on India (LO2P3). Block of 72, sheet margins at top and left, other margins ample to large except slightly in at bottom center, creases, small tears and a few thins typical of India paperFINE-VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE LARGE MULTIPLE OF THE ONE-CENT EAGLE CARRIER PLATE PROOF ON INDIA.
This is the largest multiple we have encountered. Ex Joyce and Golden. Scott Retail as blocks of four and singles
1c Blue, Eagle Carrier (LO2). Ample margins, dark shade, tied at lower left by partly clear black "U.S.P.O. Despatch/Pre-Paid/One Cent" double-oval handstamp, used with 3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A), full margins, tied by "Philadelphia Pa. Oct. 16" circular datestamp at upper right on small cover to Bangor Me., Very Fine, rare use of U.S.P.O. oval on Eagle Carrier, ex Golden
Baltimore Md., 1c Red (1LB5). Large margins, brilliant color, blue crayon "X" cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2014 P.F. certificate
Brown & McGill's U.S.P.O. Despatch, Louisville Ky., (2c) Blue (5LB2). Huge margins to in where separated by hand and incl. sheet margin at right, used with 3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26) and both stamps tied by blue "Louisville Ky. Jun. 12, 1858" circular datestamp on cover to Baltimore Md., faint vertical file fold affects 3c stampVERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE BROWN & McGILL'S CARRIER STAMP TIED ON COVER. ONLY SIX OR SEVEN TIED EXAMPLES ARE BELIEVED TO EXIST.
Ex Wagshal. With notes attesting to authenticity by Robert Myersburg and Richard Frajola.
U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Light Blue Unsurfaced (6LB3). Unused (no gum), large margins all around with framelines from two adjoining stamps, light horizontal crease at bottom, Very Fine, the first "U.S. City Despatch Post" carrier issue on unsurfaced Light Blue paper is rare in unused condition, with 2014 P.F. certificate
U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Light Blue Unsurfaced (6LB3). Large margins all around, clear impression on fresh paper, vivid orange-red "U.S." in frame cancel with matching New York circular datestamp which ties the stamp to a small piece, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb example of the first stamp printed and issued by the United States government (Aug. 1842), with 2012 P.F. certificate
U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Blue Glazed (6LB5b). Large to huge margins, rich color, neat strike of red "U.S." in octagon handstamp, Very Fine and choice
U.S.P.O., Philadelphia Pa., 1c Black on Rose, "L P" (7LB1). Two full margins, left and top framelines cut into, uncancelled, used on Nov. 2, 1850 folded letter to street address, lightly struck blue Philadelphia circular datestamp, faint toning and small scuffs around address, Fine and very scarce, 12-15 reported in Lyons census (The Penny Post, July 2006), ex Gibson, Meyersburg, Morris and Geisler, with 1997 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail $2,000.00
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 Maffeo, with 1989 P.F. certificate
American Letter Mail Co., 5c Black (5L1). Horizontal pair, large margins all around, manuscript "X" cancels, sender's "Double Paid" notation beneath pair on May 28, 1844 folded letter from Philadelphia to Boston, pencil "2 c" for local delivery charge, file fold clear of stamps and writing, right stamp tiny nick entirely in right margin and faint corner crease mentioned on accompanying certificate, both inconsequential and the "crease" is imaginaryEXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE FINEST OF ONLY SIX MULTIPLES OF THE AMERICAN LETTER MAIL SMALL EAGLE STAMP RECORDED ON COVER (ALL PAIRS). AN OUTSTANDING INDEPENDENT MAIL USE.
Our records contain just six Small Eagle pairs on five covers and one front only.
With 2005 P.F. certificate.
Philadelphia Despatch Post, Philadelphia Pa., 3c Red (15L1). Octagonal margins just barely into letters "IL", bright white paper and remarkably clear impression of "Phila. Despatch Post P.M." handstamp, ms. "R & Co." control mark, perfectly clear strike of small red outline "3" cancel (not tied), used on folded letter addressed in blue to the local printing firm of Carter & Scattergood, dated Nov. 1, 1843, from a former employee telling them he has obtained financial backing and started a new venture of his own, red "Phila. Despatch Post -- P.M." circular timestampA VERY FINE, COLORFUL AND REMARKABLY FRESH COVER. ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE FIFTEEN RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE PHILADELPHIA DESPATCH POST RED 15L1 STAMP. A WONDERFUL "PRIMITIVE" AMONG PHILATELIC RARITIES.
The Philadelphia Despatch Post is documented in an advertisement in the Philadelphia Public Ledger (Dec. 8, 1842) and in an expanded version with some differences (go to www.siegelauctions.com/enc/carriers/robertson.jpg for an image of the revised ad). In the later ad, the stamps are priced at 3c individually, 31c per dozen and $2 per hundred. Valuable-letter registration for 6-1/4c and a 6c rate on letters beyond two miles are quoted (no examples of either special service are known). The firm's address is 93 Chesnut Street, not 83 South Second Street as in the earlier advertisement.
Dr. Vernon R. Morris Jr. has recently published his own comprehensive census, which updates and expands the census previously published by our firm.
Ex Schwartz, Gordon N. John and Geisler. With 1983 and 2009 P.F. certificates
Philadelphia Despatch Post, Philadelphia Pa., (3c) Black on Grayish (15L3). Large margins to clear, cancelled by neat strike of red "3" numeral handstamp, small corner crease at top right, minor soiling not mentioned on accompanying certificate, Very Fine appearance, small backstamp shows thru, with 2006 A.P.S. certificate
Blood's City Despatch, Philadelphia Pa., 1c Bronze on Black Glazed (15L13). Two covers, first large margins to in at right, acid tied, used with 3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A), couple tiny faults, tied by perfectly struck blue "Richmond Va. Apr. 9" circular datestamp on buff cover to Lexington Va., "Blood's Despatch Apl. 8, 9 P.M." double-circle datestamp, Very Fine appearance, carried by rail to Richmond before it entered the regular mails (a similar cover was in our Hall sale), second with large margins, tied by blue "Philadelphia Pa. Dec. 23" circular datestamp, "Blood's Despatch Dec. 23 9 P.M." datestamp, blue "Philadelphia Pa. 5 cts. Dec. 23" integral-rate circular datestamp on cover to Pottsville Pa., minor toned spots, small piece cut from flaps, otherwise Very Fine, the small Blood's stamps are rarely found tied by the post office datestamp, with 2000 P.F. certificate
Blood's City Despatch, Philadelphia Pa., (1c) Bronze on Lilac (15L14). Large margins to just touching at bottom, acid tied along with well-centered pair and single of 1c Blue (63), tied by grid cancels, corresponding "Philadelphia Pa. Dec. 24, 1861" circular datestamp at left on cover to Flemington N.J., cover with small nick at bottom left, otherwise Very Fine, an attractive Christmas Eve cover
Blood's City Despatch, Philadelphia Pa., 1c Bronze on Black Glazed, Lilac (15L13, 15L14). Two covers, first with 15L13 acid tied, 3c Dull Red Ty. II (11A) tied by Philadelphia circular datestamp on cover to Auburn N.Y., stamp with small nick, otherwise Fine, second 15L14 acid tied, used with 3c Rose, Ty. I (25), Philadelphia circular datestamp on cover to Greenville S.C., stamp with corner nick, otherwise Fine and scarce used with the 1857 3c Ty. I
Beesley's Express Post, Utica N.Y. Three-line handstamp "G. N. BEESLY'S/EXPRESS POST, /UTICA, N.Y." on cover to a Miss Gridly at the City Hotel in Utica, probably a Valentine mailing, faint toning spots, Very Fine and extremely rare, Hahn recorded only two examples of this marking (the other was in our Golden sale)
Brown's City Post, New York N.Y., 1c Black on Bright Red (31L1). Rich color, tied by well-struck "Brown's Despatch Paid" circular handstamp on blue cover to prominent New York collector Jesse Furlong at local street address, with Brown's label at top left, stamp with inconsequential small diagonal crease at bottom left, small cover repair at bottom left, still fresh and Very Fine, the Brown's 31L1 stamp is extremely rare on cover (two reported), ex Geisler and Belasco, with 2008 P.F. certificate
Brown's City Post, New York N.Y., 1c Black on Green (31L3). Large margins, tied by "Brown's Despatch Paid" circular handstamp on locally addressed cover, with purple Brown's return address handstamp at upper left, addressed to George B. Mason, a prominent stamp dealer of the day, stamp with light creases and rubbing, cover with some overall wear, still Very Fine, scarce used on cover, ex Belasco
Chicago Penny Post, Chicago Ill., (1c) Orange Brown, Serrated Perforations (38L1 var). Large margins showing roulettes on all four sides, manuscript cancel (not tied), used on small cover to local street address, opening tear at upper left and lightly soiledVERY FINE STAMP ON AN ATTRACTIVE LOCAL COVER. ONE OF TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE CHICAGO PENNY POST "BEEHIVE" STAMP WITH PERFORATIONS. NO MORE THAN THREE COVERS WITH THIS STAMP ARE KNOWN.
This and the cover offered in lot 918 of our 1999 sale of the Golden collection (Sale 817) are the two Chicago Penny Post 38L1 covers we feel certain are genuine (the stamp on the cover offered in lot 916 of the Golden sale probably did not originate). Curiously, the two genuine covers have stamps that were perforated; this example very clearly so, and the other with only tiny traces of a roulette.
Ex Hennan and Golden. With 1988 P.F. certificate.
(Greig's) City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Grayish (40L1). Large even margins all around, clear strike of red "Free" in frame cancel, Extremely Fine, a beautiful used example of this historic issue, with 1994 P.S.E. certificate
Davis's Penny Post, Baltimore Md., (1c) Black on Lilac, "Pennq" for "Penny" (57L1 var). Type B, Position 2 with large top right sheet margins, other sides ample to large with left ornaments just touched, pencil "X" cancel, tiny corner creases at bottom, truly insignificant, small red mark on backEXTREMELY FINE. THE FINEST OF THE THREE USED EXAMPLES OF THE "PENNQ" ERROR, OF WHICH FOUR ARE KNOWN IN TOTAL. THIS CORNER-MARGIN COPY IS PROOF THAT THE ERROR OCCUPIED POSITION 2 IN THE SETTING.
The Davis's "Pennq Post" error was not noted by Denwood Kelly, and it remained unlisted in Scott for 40 years after Elliott Perry wrote to the U.S. Specialized editor, Eugene Costales, in April 1959, reporting the "Pennq" variety. This stamp was part of the C. E. Chapman collection, and, as far back as the 1890's, it was affixed to an 1852 folded letter to which it did not belong. The stamp has been removed from the cover. It is the finest known used example.
Ex Chapman and Golden. With 1999 P.F. certificate
Dupuy & Schenck, New York N.Y., (1c) Black on Glazed (60L1). Mostly large margins to just touching outer frameline, manuscript cancel, on local cover, with red "Dupuy & Schenck Penny Post" two-line handstamp, incl. original circular dated 1847, stamp with facial scrapes and slightly toned, Fine
Dupuy & Schenck, New York N.Y., (1c) Black on Gray (60L2). Large to clear margins, cancelled by manuscript check mark on folded letter dated Aug. 11, 1847, addressed to Bridgeport Conn., red "New York 12 Aug. 5 cts." circular datestamp, stamp with tiny tear and small corner crease, still Very Fine, with 1994 P.F. certificate
Livingston, Wells & Pomeroy. Six covers, five are folded letters, most with ms. express designations representing different examples of various Pomeroy companies incl. Livingston Wells & Pomeroy, Livingston & Wells, Livingston & Pomeroy, Pomeroy's Express, one each with "Paid" or "Cd." handstamps, one with some staining but overall Very Fine, nice group of covers related to one of the great private express operations, ex Schwartz
Floyd's Penny Post, Chicago Ill., (1c) Green (68L3). Large margins, tied by "Floyd's Chicago Penny Post" handstamp on 3c Pink on Buff entire (U35) to Atlanta Ga., cancelled by target and "Chicago Ill. Nov. 3, 1862" double-circle datestamp, slightly reduced where opened a bit roughly at right, faint vertical file fold at center, the Floyd's with light corner margin crease at top leftVERY FINE APPEARANCE. NO MORE THAN A DOZEN EXAMPLES OF FLOYD'S GREEN STAMP ARE KNOWN TO US. THIS IS THE FINER OF THE TWO KNOWN COVERS.
John R. Floyd advertised the start of his Penny Post in July 1860. In June 1861, after the outbreak of the Civil War, Floyd sold the firm to Charles W. Mappa, but continued to assist in managing the post for several months before leaving for war in January 1862. Mappa in turn sold out to Kimball & Waterman in May 1862, and the post continued at least until November 1862 and then closed.
The Brown and Blue stamps were the first issued, and the Blue continued to be issued from 1860 through 1862. The Green stamps are known used only in October and November 1862, thus they appear to be the last printing, probably by Kimball & Waterman before the post was closed. The Blue is the most common, and the Brown is extremely scarce. The Green is by far the rarest, with only two recorded covers, six or seven used stamps off cover, and three or four unused stamps (three with original gum) known to us.
Ex Geisler. With 2005 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $20,000.00
Robison & Co., Brooklyn N.Y., 1c Black on Blue (128L1). Three large margins, in at right, crisp impression, accompanying P.F. certificate notes "unused...slight discoloration at top" which is actually the watery blue cancellation known to have been used by Robison & Co.VERY FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE. ONLY SEVEN OFF-COVER EXAMPLES RECORDED, PLUS THE FAMOUS CASPARY COVER. ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL LOCAL POST STAMPS.
Robison & Co. was a relatively small local post in Brooklyn, New York. Elliott Perry located three Robisons in the city directory listings who were in the express business: Cornelius D. Robison at 140 Chambers, 1857-58; Francis Robison at 707 Greenwich, 1857-58; and William Robison at 64 Cedar, 1852-53. It is not known which, if any, of these men was the proprietor.
The most famous example of the Robison & Co. local-post stamp is the one tied on cover to Jas. H. Watson, 231 Henry Street in Brooklyn. The cover was discovered circa 1895 by F. E. Kneeland Jr., a Brooklyn teen-aged boy who found it while searching through a relative's papers. It passed to Ferrary, then to Caspary, and was later to become one of the cornerstones of the Boker collection. Other examples of Robison & Co.'s stamp must have been discovered in the 1860's, because catalogues published in 1864 and 1865 contain listings for a Robison & Co. post.
Our records contain eight examples of 128L1, including seven off cover and the one on cover. Five of the off-cover stamps are known to have small faults.
Ex Kuphal. With 1998 P.F. certificate
St. Louis City Delivery Co., St. Louis Mo., (1c) Red, Perf 12 (131L1). Cancelled by grid, "St. Louis City Delivery 506 Olive, Jan. 26, 1883" cogged double-circle datestamp on cover with hotel and bar fixtures corner card, stamp with flaw at lower left and right, cover with small edge tears, still Very Fine appearing and scarce
Squier & Co. City Letter Dispatch, St. Louis Mo., 1c Green, Imperforate (132L1). Margins to in, canceled by manuscript on locally addressed cover, some wear, Fine
Carriers and Locals Balance. Six items purchased by the owner as individual lots in sales past, government and carrier issues incl. two No. LO2 Eagle Carrier covers, one a solo use and one tied with No. 26, No. 5LB2 Brown & McGill's tied on piece of cover with No. 26, No. 4LB8 Honour's City Express on cover, locals incl. No. 20L3 Boyd's on cover and No. 40L1 unused single with huge margins and pre-printing paper fold, Extremely Fine, overall a nice group