Sale 1254 — United States Stamps
Sale Date — Wednesday-Thursday, 6-7 April, 2022
Category — The Jan Hofmeyr Collection of 3c 1861-68 - On-Cover
3c Pigeon Blood Pink (64a). Radiant true Pigeon Blood Pink color, phenomenal centering, tied by "Mystic Bridge Ct. Oct. 5" circular datestamp, second strike at left, on buff cover to Willimantic Ct., 1861 docketing at leftEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 3-CENT PIGEON BLOOD PINK ON COVER. SURELY ONE OF THE FINEST COVERS EXTANT.
Ex Fleckenstein. With 2004 P.F. certificate
3c Rose (65). Vertical pair, tied by three clear strikes of Crossed Baseball Bats, 3 Diamonds and Baseball fancy cancel (Rohloff O02), three strikes of "Waterbury Con. Sep. 8 '67" double-circle datestamp on cover to Canaan Conn., barely reduced at right, top stamp slightly affected from placement near edge of coverVERY FINE STRIKES OF THE FAMOUS BATS, BASEBALL AND DIAMONDS FANCY CANCELLATION OF WATERBURY CONNECTICUT. A MAGNIFICENT COVER, AND ONE OF THE EARLIEST BASEBALL-RELATED DESIGNS. ONLY SIX COVERS ARE KNOWN, AND THIS IS THE ONLY ONE KNOWN TO US WITH MORE THAN ONE STRIKE.
This fancy cancel was created by postmaster John W. Hill to commemorate the Waterbury Excelsior's victory over the Naugatuck Valley Nine, on July 24, 1867. In his comprehensive census of Waterbury cancels, William T. Crowe records six covers, used between Sep. 2 and 10, 1867.
According to The Baseball Archive available at http://baseball1.com: "the exact origins of baseball are unknown. Most historians agree that it is based on the English game of rounders. It began to become quite popular in this country in the early 19th century. Although popular legend says that the game was invented by Abner Doubleday, baseball's true father was Alexander Cartwright. The first recorded baseball contest took place in 1846. Cartwright's Knickerbockers lost to the New York Baseball Club. The early 1860s were a time of great turmoil in the United States. In those years of the Civil War, the number of baseball clubs dropped dramatically, but interest in baseball was carried to other parts of the country by Union soldiers, and when the war ended there were more people playing baseball than ever before."
With 2014 P.F. certificate
3c Rose (65). Cancelled by well-struck Insect fancy cancel, clearly defined antennae, wings and segments, matching "Northampton Mass. Jul. 14, 1865" double-circle datestamp on cover to Cambridgeport Mass., stamp with faultsVERY FINE STRIKE OF THE INSECT FANCY CANCELLATION OF NORTHAMPTON MASS.
With 2012 P.F. certificate
3c Rose (65). Two on separate covers, each tied by "Titusville Pa." circular datestamp and "T" for Titusville fancy cancel, two different types, Jul. 29 with "T" in circle of cogs, 1866 letter enclosure regarding oil production, stamp is an imprint selvage copy with minor faults from placement along edge, Apr. 16 with "T" in saw tooth circle, light violet cover, Very Fine strikes of this scarce oil region fancy cancel, ex Dr. Robertson
3c Rose (65). Four singles, tied by two strikes of "REGISTERED" handstamp, "Philadelphia Pa. Nov. 13" circular datestamp on blue and red Standing Liberty and Flag Patriotic cover to New York, bold "R" handstamp, 1863 docketing on back indicates sent from Edward Cogan, a well-known printer of patriotic covers, magenta manuscript at bottom is receipt registration marking, two stamps with small creases from placement at edge of coverVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A BEAUTIFUL PATRIOTIC COVER BEARING FOUR EXAMPLES OF THE 3-CENT 1861 ISSUE, SENT VIA REGISTERED MAIL.
The four stamps pay 4-times the 3c rate. The registry fee was paid in cash. Ex Haas, Myers and Mitchell. With copy of 2003 P.F. certificate
3c Rose (65). Vertical pair and single, the single torn, used with 1c Blue (63), tied by cogwheels, "San Francisco Cal. Jan. 2, 1863" double-circle datestamp on cover to Boston, 1863 docketing on back, Fine
Prince's Letter Dispatch, Portland Me., (unstated value) Black (122L1). Large margins to full, used with 3c Rose (65) and tied together by "Boston Mass. Jan. 6" duplex circular datestamp on cover to Roxbury Mass., slightly reduced at right, some slight waterstainingVERY FINE AND CHOICE. ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL INDEPENDENT MAIL USES FROM THE ONLY STEAMBOAT CARRIER TO ISSUE STAMPS.
Prince's Letter Dispatch was established by J. H. Prince of Portland, Maine, and carried mail by steamboat to Boston, which is probably why it continued to function without government interference as late as 1869. The pictorial stamps used by Prince were engraved and printed by Lowell & Brett of Boston (Lowell's imprint appears below the steamboat vignette). Although an abundant supply of unused stamps reached philatelic hands, genuinely used stamps are extremely rare. Larry Lyons records eleven Prince 122L1 covers, including fronts only (The Penny Post, October 2002).
1c Blue (63). Used with three singles of 3c Rose (65), cancelled or tied by New York grids on yellow cover originating in Hong Kong, China, carried privately to New York and then mailed to Nassau, Bahamas, addressed to Charles Gordon, in care of "H. R. Sonders & Son", with red oval "Forwarded by Saunders & Son, Nassau" handstamp, blue pencil "8" pence rate, docketed by Philadelphia Prize Court with red "84" at right and "No. 18. H.F. The within is marked 18th. H.F." at right, with copy of original enclosure datelined "Steamer Han Kow, Harbor of Hong Kong, Sept. 7th, 1861", written by the ship's engineer, W. H. Shannon, who just arrived in Hong Kong after 109-day trip from New York, two 3c stamps light creasesVERY FINE. A PHENOMENAL COVER CARRIED PRIVATELY FROM HONG KONG TO NEW YORK, AND THEN CAPTURED DURING AN ATTEMPTED BLOCKADE RUN AND USED AS EVIDENCE IN THE PRIZE COURT AT PHILADELPHIA.
The sender, W. H. Shannon, was engineer on the Han Kow, which departed New York on April 13, 1861, arriving in Hong Kong August 31, 1861, a journey of 109 days. On September 7, he penned this letter, which was carried privately to New York. It took about eleven months to arrive in New York, where it entered the mails. It was carried on the Cunarder British Queen, departing Aug. 16, 1862, arriving Nassau Aug. 20. It was forwarded by Saunders & Son with goods on the schooner Defiance to Savannah, but she was captured by the barque U.S.S. Braziliera on Sep. 7, 1862. The Defiance was taken as a prize, and this was used as evidence in the Philadelphia Prize Court. The initials "H.F." at right belong to Henry Flanders, a well-respected scholar on maritime law who served as commissioner of the Philadelphia Prize Court.
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Johnson's Island. 3c Rose (65) tied by target cancel, "Sandusky O. Nov. 5 '64" double-circle datestamp on buff cover to Richmond Va., "Prisoner's Letter, Johnsons Island O. Examined GSB" oval handstamp, used with C.S.A. 10c Blue, Die A (11) tied by "Richmond Va. Nov. 24" circular datestamp, endorsed "Via Fortress Monroe per Flag of Truce Boat" at left, vertical file fold well away from stamps, slightly reduced at right, 3c stamp some faults, still Very Fine
Old Capitol Prison Washington D.C. Perfect strike of "Passed/Military Prison/W.P. Wood Supt." circular examiner's handstamp on incoming cover addressed to Mr. J.D. Reamer, care of Col. Wood, 3c Rose (65) cancelled by target, "Hagerstown Md. Apr. 28" double-circle datestamp, slightly reduced at left, Fine, very unusual, the recipient, John David Reamer, was a merchant in Hagerstown who was related to John Wilkes Booth, after Lincoln's assassination on April 15, rumors started to circulate that he was somehow involved; fearing for his safety he asked to be locked up, he was later moved to Old Capitol Prison and was released in late May after signing an Oath of Allegiance, by that point his business was ruined and he died of consumption the following year
Point Lookout, Camp Hoffman. Homemade cover from a prisoner-of-war to Richmond Va., “Prisoner’s Letter Examined” octagonal censor’s handstamp (Ty. IIa), 3c Rose (65) tied by target, “Point Lookout Md. Sep. ?, 1864" double-circle datestamp, “Richmond Va. Oct. 9” circular datestamp and “10” due handstamp for C.S.A. postage, endorsed "Via Fortress Monroe & flag truce boat", Very Fine and attractive
3c Rose (65). Horizontal block of eighteen, well-centered, each stamp boldly cancelled and tied by circle of wedges, covering the entire back of a 3c Pink Entire (U59) addressed to "Renkum, near Wageningen, Province of Gelderland, Netherlands", printed Wells Fargo & Co. frank but no other markings indicating express service, faint red New York circular datestamp, blue crayon "Paid 57 Turn Over", red credits (crossed out and re-rated), red London transit datestamp (Oct. 1867), red Wageningen receiving backstamp on block, negligible edgewear and small nicks or perf faults in blockVERRY FINE APPEARANCE. A PHENOMENAL BLOCK OF EIGHTEEN OF THE 3-CENT 1861 ISSUE ON A 3-CENT WELLS FARGO ENTIRE TO THE NETHERLANDS. SURELY ONE OF THE LARGEST MULTIPLES ON COVER.
The entire has not been opened for display, but it is an outstanding exhibition item of the 3c 1861 Issue.
2c Black (73). Horizontal pair used with two singles of 3c Rose (65), tied by blue "Paid" straightline cancel, red "No Andover Depot, Mass. Feb. 16, 1867" double-line circular datestamp on Wool Machinery and Card Clothing corner card cover to Lanark, Canada West, Feb. 21 receiving backstamp, Very Fine
10c Yellow Green (68). Used with two 1c Blue (63) and 3c Rose (65), tied by grid cancels, red "N. York Am. Pkt. Paid Apr. 28" circular datestamp with date inverted on cover to Lucerne, Switzerland and forwarded to Basel, manuscript "16" credit crossed out and re-credited "4", blue "America/Uber Bremen/Franco" three-line handstamp just ties one 1c stamp, Lucerne (May 11) and Basel (May 12) backstamps, crayon due marking, left 1c stamp small tear, light horizontal bend thru the stamps, otherwise Very Fine, an interesting and vexing usage, apparently prepaid for the 15c rate to Bremen but the rate to Switzerland via Bremen-Hamburg mails was 19c, treated as fully prepaid in New York
12c Black (69). Used with 3c Rose (65), tied by well-struck red grid cancels on blue folded cover to Bordeaux, France, matching "New York Paid 12 May 13" credit datestamp, large boxed "P.D." and 1862 transit datestamps, light horizontal file fold clear of stamps, Very Fine and attractive cover, ex Hall
24c Red Lilac (70). Rich color, used with two 3c Rose (65), one straight edge at top, tied by red grids, matching "N. York Br. Pkt. Paid 7 Aug. 19" (1862) credit datestamp on cover to Bremen, Germany, sender's endorsement "Steamer Arabia", extensive docketing on back shows thru is partly erased causing some scuffs, one 3c small corner crease, still Fine use paying the 28c Prussian Closed Mail rate
30c Orange (71). Used with 1c Blue (63) and 3c Rose (65), 30c perfs in, 1c straight edge at left, tied by target cancels, magenta "San Francisco Cal. Paid Oct. 30" (1867) circular datestamp and matching "24" credit handstamp on blue folded cover to Lima, Peru, sender's red oval handstamp, Panama transit, Lima receiving backstamp, horizontal file fold, Fine and extremely rare use, ex Dr. LeBow
30c Orange (71). Straight edge at right from interpane position and showing part of adjoining stamp, used with 3c Rose (65), both tied by well-struck large "Paid" grid, red "Boston Br. Pkt. Paid Jan. 22" (1862) backstamp on blue folded cover to Port Elizabeth, Cape of Good Hope, red "28" credit handstamp, "1d" Colonial credit handstamp, red London transit, Cape Town (Mar. 16) and Port Elizabeth (Mar. 19) backstamps, 3c one slightly rounded corner, a Very Fine cover from the Howland correspondence, ex Gilbart
30c Orange (71). Bright color, used with 3c Rose (65), straight edge at right, tied by grids, red "New Bedford Mass. Paid Jan. 13" (1862) circular datestamp on orange cover to New Zealand, April 29 receiving datestamp, red "28" credit, slightly reduced at left, Very Fine use to a scarce destination
30c Orange (71). Used with 3c Rose (65) and 12c Black (69), bright and fresh, tied by grid cancels, "Exeter N.H. Aug. 14, 1865" double-circle datestamp on attorney's corner card cover to Swatow, China, Wingate correspondence, stamps also tied by red "N. York Am. Pkt. Paid Aug. 19" and London transit, neat red "1d" British Colonial credit handstamp, Hong Kong transit backstamp, endorsed "Via Overland, Via Northampton", slightly reduced at leftFRESH AND VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE ATTORNEY'S CORNER CARD COVER WITH A THREE-COLOR FRANKING USED TO SWATOW, CHINA.
The 45c in postage pays the rate via Southampton.
Ex Paliafito, "Sevenoaks" and DuPuy.