Sale 1283 — Commemoratives, Featuring Morton Trans-Mississippi, Brody Jamestown and Haber 1909 Issues
Sale Date — Wednesday, 19 April, 2023
Category — 1898 Trans-Mississippi Issue: Covers
1c-$2.00 Trans-Mississippi (285-293). Complete set, rich colors, tied by "Madison Square Branch" registry oval, purple "Registered, Jul. 18, 1898 Madison Square Branch, New York P.O." five-line boxed datestamp on back of registered cover to Munich, Germany, New York registry label numbered 22634, G. B. Calman return address, horizontal file fold at bottom well away from stamps, minor edgewear, the 2c and 4c light usage creases, 5c with small scuffsFINE-VERY FINE CENTERING AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. THE EARLIEST OF FOUR RECORDED COVERS BEARING A COMPLETE SET OF THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE. A SPECTACULAR EXHIBITION ITEM AND ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT UNITED STATES COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE COVERS EXTANT.
The Neil-Rosenthal book, The Trans-Mississippi Issue of 1898, notes that four covers are known with complete sets:
1) July 18, 1898, New York Madison Square Branch to Munich, Germany, N.Y. registry no. 22634, G. B. Calman corner card, ex Rosenthal, "World's Fair" and Field, the cover offered here
2) Tied by New York Madison Square Branch registry cancels, to Munich, Germany, N.Y. registry no. 22658, with G. B. Calman corner card
3) Oct. 4, 1898, Exposition Sta. Omaha Neb. datestamp, to St. Johns, Newfoundland, registry no. 11167, ex Saffin, Christie’s Sep. 1982, lot 471
4) Oct. 7, 1898, New York Sta. P to London, England, registry no. 7587, ex McCoy, Dr. Martin and Gross (Sale 1188, lot 100)
Ex Rosenthal, "World's Fair" and Field. Illustrated in the Neil-Rosenthal book (p. 160). With 1986 and 2022 P.F. certificates.
1c-10c Trans-Mississippi (285-290). Bright colors, tied by "Washington D.C." registry ovals, purple "Registered, Jun. 17, 1898, Washington D.C. Sub-Station No. 29, No. 766" five-line datestamp (with registry number in manuscript) on First Day of Issue cover to Metz, Germany, typewriter address to Hermann Appel, New York registry label, New York (June 18) and Metz (June 26) backstamps, barely reduced at leftVERY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED FIRST DAY COVER BEARING ALL SIX VALUES OF THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE THROUGH THE 10-CENT. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CLASSIC COMMEMORATIVE FIRST DAY COVERS EXTANT.
The Trans-Mississippi Exposition was open to the public from June 1 to November 1, 1898. The stamps were not ready in time for the opening, and the official First Day of Issue was Friday, June 17. On this day, John Murray Bartels, a 26-year old German born stamp dealer, walked the half mile from his office on 14th Street N.W. to the post office sub-station number 29 at 9th and F Streets, carrying three small envelopes addressed to Germany. His task was to buy the new "Omaha" stamps and put them on three envelopes he had carefully addressed with his typewriter.
On the envelope to Hermann Appel in Metz, Germany--the cover offered here--he neatly arranged one each of the six values from the 1c through the 10c. The two other envelopes were addressed to Hermann August Kah in Baden-Baden. On one he affixed the 50c Mining Prospector stamp, and on the other the beautifully engraved $1.00 Cattle in the Storm. We cannot be sure Bartels did not have other covers prepared for the first day of the Trans-Mississippi issue--perhaps one with the $2.00 Eads Bridge--but the three with eight of the nine values have survived to tell us that he spent at least $1.80 that day to create a unique trio of First Day of Issue covers.
First Day covers with the Trans-Mississippi Issue are rare. The following quantities are recorded or estimated by Henry Scheuer: 1c: 4-5 used alone (plus 4 in combination); 2c: 12+ used alone (plus 3 in combination); 4c: One used alone (plus 3 in combination); 5c: One used alone (plus 3 in combination); 8c: Two used alone (plus one in combination); 10c: One used alone (plus one in combination); 50c: One used alone; $1.00: One used alone; $2.00: None known; Combinations on First Day Covers (one known of each): a) 1c and 2c; b) 1c, 2c, 4c, 5c; c) 1c, 4c, 5c; and d) 1c, 2c, 4c, 5c, 8c, 10c, the cover offered here.
Ex McCoy and "World's Fair". With 1987 and 2013 P.F. certificates. Scott value $75,000.00
1c-10c Trans-Mississippi (285-290). Rich colors, tied by "Omaha Nebr. R.D." registry oval cancels on cover to Metz, Germany, purple "Registered Omaha, Nebr., Jun. 22 1898" three-line handstamp, New York registry label, receiving backstamp, with multicolored American flag sticker on back tied by blue crayon, slight scuffing at left edge of cover, Very Fine and colorful, mailed five days after the first day of use, with 2019 P.F. certificate
8c Violet Brown, Trans-Mississippi (289). Used with 1c Trans-Mississippi (285) and 4c Trans-Mississippi (287), the 1c on back, also used with Hong Kong, 1891, 10c Violet on Red (44), each stamp tied by "Hong Kong JA 5 99" circular datestamps, to Charles Theuner, New York City, manuscript "Registered" at bottom left crossed out, San Francisco (Feb. 2) and New York (Feb. 7) backstamps, 8c light diagonal crease at top right, still Very Fine, a very unusual franking with all stamps affixed and cancelled in Hong Kong
5c Dull Blue, Trans-Mississippi (288). Rich color, tied by "New-York N.Y. Aug. 16 8:00PM 98" circular datestamp, second strike at right, on red and blue Flag and Shield Spanish-American War Patriotic cover to Munich, Germany, the stamp affixed at center over the shield, two strikes of receiving backstamp, also with flag label on back, cover with tiny tear at left, Very Fine, a colorful and desirable use
50c Sage Green, Trans-Mississippi (291). Choice centering with wide and balanced margins, tied by oval registry cancel, purple "Registered Jan. 16, 1899 Branch P.O. Station ?, New York P.O." five-line boxed datestamp on cover from Constantin Witt to 1st Lieut. Maus in Lichtenthal, Germany, receiving datestamp also ties stamp, second strike on back, stamp with tiny perf tear at top left, Extremely Fine appearance, ex "World's Fair" and Dr. Heimburger, with 2019 P.F. certificate
50c Sage Green, Trans-Mississippi (291). Horizontal pair, used with block of six and strip of three of 1c Trans-Mississippi (285), tied by "Heron Mont. Jan. 9, 1899" circular datestamps on registered cover to Nuremberg, Germany, New York registry label, receiving backstamp, top right 1c small nicks at top from placement near edge of cover, Very Fine, a very attractive cover, less than 40 covers are known with the 50c stamp, ex Rosenthal and "World's Fair", illustrated in the Neil-Rosenthal book (p. 141), with 2022 P.F. certificate
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Detailed impression, tied by New York registry oval on illustrated corner card cover for "Hensel, Bruckmann & Lorbacher, Parcel Agency for the German Mail" to Munich, Germany, addressed to D. Heinemann, purple "Registered, Jul. 22, 1898, Branch P.O. Station P., New York P.O." five-line boxed datestamp, New York registry label, receiving backstamp (Aug. 1)EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE COVERS IN EXISTENCE.
The sender, Hensel Bruckmann & Lorbacher, is still in business as freight forwarders.
Ex Saffin, Rosenthal, "World's Fair" and Dr. Heimburger. Illustrated in the Neil-Rosenthal book (pp. 98 and 151). With 2019 P.F. certificate.
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Choice centering, used with vertical pair of 1c Green (285), 4c Orange (287), two 8c Violet Brown (289), 10c Gray Violet, Trans-Mississippi (290), plus 6c Dull Brown, 1895 Issue (271), cancelled or tied by large "R" handstamps, purple "No. 1, Philippine Isls., San Francisco Cal. Registered May 29, 1899" double-circle datestamp on reduced linen-lined cover front only to Bremen, Germany, purple Manila registry handstamp, red crayon "5", small erosion hole at center not noted on certificateVERY FINE. A RARE AND COLORFUL USE OF FIVE OF THE NINE DENOMINATIONS OF THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE, INCLUDING THE $1.00, ON A COVER FRONT FROM THE PHILIPPINES TO GERMANY. A SPECTACULAR USE.
Perhaps 20 covers are known with the $1.00 Trans-Mississippi Issue, including approximately 14 with single frankings. One other use is also known from the Philippines to Germany, with a 5c Trans-Mississippi and a strip of three of No. 279.
With 2019 P.F. certificate
$2.00 Orange Brown, Trans-Mississippi (293). Rich color, tied by clear "Philadelphia Pa. Jun. 24 3-30PM 1898" wavy-line machine cancel on immaculate cover to Mr. E. J. Clinton in Ocean City, New Jersey, clear "Ocean City N.J., Rec'd Jun. 26, 1898" receiving datestamp on backVERY FINE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST RECORDED USE OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE -- ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT COVER RARITIES OF EARLY UNITED STATES COMMEMORATIVE ISSUES.
The Trans-Mississippi Exposition was open to the public from June 1 to November 1, 1898. The stamps were not ready in time for the opening, and the official First Day of Issue was June 17.
First Day covers with the Trans-Mississippi Issue are rare. The following quantities are recorded or estimated by Henry Scheuer: 1c: 4-5 used alone (plus 4 in combination); 2c: 12+ used alone (plus 3 in combination); 4c: One used alone (plus 3 in combination); 5c: One used alone (plus 3 in combination); 8c: Two used alone (plus one in combination); 10c: One used alone (plus one in combination); 50c: One used alone; $1.00: One used alone; $2.00: None known. In the absence of a $2.00 First Day Cover after 125 years, this June 22 cover is of paramount importance and likely to remain the earliest documented use.
Ex Dr. Jerome Motto ("Vanguard" collection, Rumsey Sale 11, lot 3633) and William H. Gross. With 2001 P.S.E. and 2019 P.F. certificates.