Sale 1251 — The John B. Field Collection of Superb United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 2-3 March, 2022
Category — Confederate States
Beaumont, Texas, 10c Black on Pink (12X2). Huge margins all around, single pen cancellation, absolutely trivial light corner crease at bottom leftEXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE 15 10-CENT BLACK ON PINK BEAUMONT PROVISIONALS RECORDED IN OUR CENSUS.
According to Jim Wheat's Postmasters & Post Offices of Texas, 1846-1930, the following men served as postmaster of Beaumont, Texas, from 1860 to 1866: John J. Herring, appointed Aug. 17, 1860 (resigned); Wilson A. Junker, Aug 5., 1861 (CSA) (resigned); P. H. Glaze, Nov. 12, 1861 (CSA); Rev. Alexander Hinkle, Dec. 5, 1863 (CSA); Thomas Snow, Feb. 22, 1865 (CSA); John J. Herring, Apr. 6, 1866; and George L. Ewing, Jul. 19, 1866.
Since all recorded examples of the Beaumont provisional stamps are dated in 1864, they were probably issued by Reverend Alexander Hinkle, a Methodist pastor who settled in Beaumont around this time and was appointed postmaster on December 5, 1863.
The stamps were typeset and printed from three different settings: one printed on Pink paper (Scott 12X2), and two on Yellow paper (12X1 and 12X3). A setting of four subjects (two by two) has been reconstructed from the Pink singles (there are no recorded multiples). Each subject has a different arrangement of long and short frame pieces. The printings on Yellow paper were made from two entirely different settings: one slightly smaller than the Pink stamps, and the other much taller with the words "Texas" and "Postage" added to the design.
Our census of the Beaumont Provisionals records only 21 of any kind, including the unique Large 10c on Yellow (on cover), 5 of the Small 10c on Yellow (each on cover), and 15 of the Small 10c on Pink (12 covers, 3 off cover, none known unused). Most of the recorded covers are faulty, which leaves this stamp as one of the finest extant.
Ex Kilbourne and from our 2014 Rarities sale. With 1999 P.F. certificate
Charleston S.C., 5c Blue (16X1). Huge even margins with framelines all around, tied by neat strike of "Charleston S.C. Sep. 19, 1861" double-circle datestamp on yellow cover to Eagle Mills N.C., slightly reduced at leftVERY FINE. A REMARKABLE FOUR-FRAMELINE EXAMPLE OF THE CHARLESTON PROVISIONAL ON COVER.
Ex Caspary, Hill and from our 2005 and 2013 Rarities sales. With 2005 P.F. certificate
Mobile Ala., 5c Blue (58X2). Large margins to full, neat strike of "Mobile Ala. Oct. 29, 1861" double-circle datestamp, Very Fine and choice, with 2007 P.F. certificate
Confederate States Balance. 11 items, including block of five of No. 8, pair of No. 13, overall Very Fine
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