Sale 1289 — 2023 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Tuesday, 27 June, 2023
Category — Postmasters Provisionals
Baltimore, Maryland, 5c Black on Bluish (3X3). Position 6, margins showing full or parts of framelines on all four sides, without usual pen cancellation, tied by blue "PAID" handstamp, matching "Baltimore Md. Aug. 24" (1845) circular datestamp on cover to Miss Eugenia McDonald in Washington D.C., stamp with some slight gum toning, small bit of ink erosion in address at bottom edge, cover edges slightly refoldedVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL COVER BEARING THE BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, 5-CENT ON BLUISH PAPER. EXAMPLES WITHOUT PEN CANCELLATION AND TIED BY A HANDSTAMP ARE VERY RARE -- THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST.
The Baltimore provisional stamps were printed first on bluish and then on white paper (the Scott catalogue reverses the chronological order). Examples of the 5c on Bluish (3X3) on cover are rarely tied solely by a handstamp cancellation.
No. 4 in the Hayes census. USPCS census no. 20137. "W.H.C." (Colson) handstamp. Ex Klein and Hill. With 1965 and 2008 P.F. certificates.
Baltimore, Maryland, 5c Red on Manila entire (3XU2). Clear strikes of signature, "Paid" and "5" in oval provisional handstamps, which are usually very faint when struck in red, bold blue "Baltimore Md. May 5" (1846) circular datestamp on cover to Miss Susan Julia Mayer, care of Geo. M. Keim at Reading Pa., small faint stainsVERY FINE. ONE OF SEVEN EXAMPLES OF THE BALTIMORE 5-CENT PROVISIONAL ENVELOPE IN RED RECORDED IN THE USPCS CENSUS.
The USPCS census lists seven 3XU2 entires. The quality of the red strikes is generally weak. The envelope offered here has relatively clear strikes.
Hayes census no. 15 (date misidentified as May 7). USPCS census no. 20074. With 1980 P.F. certificate
New York N.Y., 5c Black, "AC M" Initials (9X1a). Huge even margins all around, deep shade, tied by large "New-York 5 Paid Jan. 31" (1846) integral-rate circular datestamp on folded letter to Lyon, France, red "COLONIES/&c. ART. 13." framed accountancy handstamp, manuscript "20" decimes due, Great Britain and French transits and Lyon receiving backstamp, file fold well below the stampEXTREMELY FINE GEM EXAMPLE OF THE NEW YORK POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL USED ON A BEAUTIFUL COVER TO LYON, FRANCE. ABSOLUTE PERFECTION.
This was carried on the Cunarder Hibernia, departing Boston Feb. 1, 1846, and arriving Liverpool Feb. 14. It is a superb example of the New York Provisional used to France.
Ex Rose. With 2011 P.F. certificate
New York N.Y., 5c Black on Gray, "ACM" Initials (9X3). Huge sheet margin at left, other sides large to full, tied by red "New York 5 cts. Apr. 18" (1847) integral-rate circular datestamp with matching "Paid" arc handstamp on folded cover to New Brunswick N.J.EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL SHEET-MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 5-CENT NEW YORK POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON GRAY PAPER, USED ON COVER.
While both the Blue and Gray Wove paper stamps are rare, Gray paper stamps on cover are slightly more elusive than Blue paper. Both papers are believed to have been used for part of the last shipment of stamps to the New York Post Office in early 1847, shortly before the first U.S. Government issued stamps were released in July.
Ex "Georgian". With 1989 and 2011 P.F. certificates. Scott value $5,250.00.
Providence, Rhode Island, 5c & 10c Gray Black, Se-Tenant (10X2a). Complete sheet of twelve, original gum, h.r., large margins, Pos. 9 slight facial rubVERY FINE ORIGINAL-GUM COMPLETE SHEET OF THE PROVIDENCE POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL.
With 2014 P.S.A.G. certificate
Providence, Rhode Island, 5c Gray Black (10X1). Position 5, large margins to full, cancelled by manuscript check mark, red "Providence R.I. Nov. 14" circular datestamp with matching "PAID" and "5" handstamps on blue folded letter datelined "Providence 11th MO 13. 1846", written by A. Congdon & Co. inquiring about the price of Parker Mill Iron, to Thomas J. Coggeshall in Taunton Mass. as agent for the Parker MillsVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE EXAMPLE OF THE PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, POSTMASTER'S 5-CENT PROVISIONAL ISSUE ON COVER.
No. 15 in the Slater census and illustrated in Slater book on p. 80. Ex Coolidge and Golden. Scott value $7,000.00.
St. Louis, Missouri, 10c Black on Greenish (11X2). Type II, Position 4, large even margins all around, cancelled solely by red St. Louis circular datestamp, fine impression on rich greenish paperEXTREMELY FINE GEM. SOUND EXAMPLES OF THE ST. LOUIS "BEARS" PROVISIONAL CANCELLED ONLY BY THE RED CIRCULAR DATESTAMP (WITHOUT THE USUAL PEN CANCELLATION) ARE EXCEEDINGLY RARE. THIS SUPERB STAMP IS AMONG THE FINEST OF ALL RECORDED ST. LOUIS BEARS. THIS PHENOMENAL STAMP IS GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
Backstamped "W.H.C." (Warren H. Colson). Ex Dr. Morris and Gorham. With 1994 and 2004 P.F. certificates. With 2022 P.S.E. certificate (Superb 98; provisionals are unpriced in SMQ). This is the highest grade awarded and the only example to achieve it. The Scott Catalogue states "Values for used off-cover stamps are for pen-cancelled copies. Handstamp cancelled copies sell for much more."