Sale 1357 — 2025 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Wednesday, 25 June, 2025
Category — New Haven Postmaster's Provisional, 1847 Issue
New Haven, Connecticut, 5c Dull Blue on Buff (8XU3). Cut to shape, clear impression of the design and clear "E A Mitchell" signature in brownish-black, small repaired tear at bottom right
VERY FINE. ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE NEW HAVEN POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL IN BLUE ON BUFF PAPER, AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE IN BLUE WITH A BLACK SIGNATURE. ONE OF THE GREATEST POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL RARITIES.
Our census of the New Haven Postmaster's Provisional is available at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/8XU1-8XU4.
There are four recorded examples of the New Haven postmaster's provisional struck in blue. Two are on buff paper (Scott 8XU3) and two are on white paper (8XU4). On buff, the other is on cover but is faded, and the signature is in blue. It has not been offered by us since our 1986 "Isleham" sale. Of the two examples of blue on white paper, one is in an institution and the other is very faded; both are signed in blue. The example offered here has the strongest impression and is the only example of the blue design signed in black.
Census no. 8XU3-CTS-02. Small “W.H.C.” (Colson) backstamp. According to Philip T. Wall (Collectors Club Philatelist, Nov.-Dec. 2011), this was found by C. H. Mekeel in May 1894 and later passed to F. W. Hunter and Clifford C. Cole. From our 1989 Rarities of the World sale and ex Dr. Maffeo. With 1988 and 2007 P.F. certificates
New Haven Conn., 5c Dull Blue on White, 1871 Reprint (8XU4R). Signed by postmaster E. A. Mitchell in lilac rose manuscript
VERY FINE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE REPRINT OF THE NEW HAVEN 5-CENT POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL IN DULL BLUE.
Scott Catalog notes that 20 reprints were made in dull blue on white paper and signed by E. A. Mitchell in lilac rose ink. This is the only example we have offered since keeping computerized records. With 2006 P.F. certificate.
5c Red Brown, 10c Black (1, 2). The matching pair of buff covers from the same correspondence to Miss J. A. Mitchell, Sprakers Basin N.Y., one bearing two superb copies of the 5c, rich color, cleaned-plate impressions, tied by bold bright red strikes of the circular wide-spaced 6-bar grid cancel and with an equally perfect matching "Waukegan Ill. Jun. 13" (1850) circular datestamp, with original letter enclosure dated 1850; the other franked with a superb 10c tied by sharp blue grid cancel with matching "Waukegan Ill. Jan. 17" circular datestamp
THE CELEBRATED MATCHING PAIR OF WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS, 5-CENT AND 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE COVERS, REPRESENTING THE QUINTESSENCE OF QUALITY AND BEAUTY IN THE FIRST UNITED STATES GENERAL ISSUE.
The Waukegan, Illinois, post office is responsible for three of the most iconic 1847 Issue covers in existence — including the two matching 5c and 10c covers offered here and the cover bearing a 10c strip of four, which was in the Caspary collection with these two covers and was last offered in our 2020 sale of the Gross collection (Sale 1228, lot 422). Each of these is a quintessentially beautiful 1847 First Issue cover.
Ex West, Caspary, Weill Brothers' Stock, Dr. Test ("Concord", 1994 Rarities of the World sale) and "Sevenoaks", where acquired by the current owner. Also from our 1980 and 1988 Rarities of the World sales. USPCS census nos. 1330 (5c) and 1334 (10c). Each cover with 1989 P.F. certificate.
5c Red Orange (1c). Large margins at sides to full at top and bottom, cleaned-plate impression, brilliant color, neat strike of red circular datestamp, small scissors-cut at top left just into frameline
VERY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE IN THE RARE RED ORANGE SHADE.
With 1989 P.F. and 2018 P.S.E. and A.P.S. certificates.
10c Black (2). Unused (no gum), large margins to clear at lower left, detailed impression
FINE. A RARE SOUND UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE.
With 1994 P.F. certificate.
5c Red Brown, 10c Black (1, 2). 5c huge margins to full, trace of frameline of adjoining stamp at top, intermediate impression, tiny pinhole, used with 10c vertical pair and single, the pair with large margins to slightly in at bottom, the single has four large margins, sharp impression, tied by vivid orange-red grid cancels on piece of cover
VERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A SPECTACULAR COMBINATION USE OF 1847 ISSUE STAMPS, INCLUDING A SCARCE VERTICAL PAIR OF THE 10-CENT.
Based on the total 35c franking, we think it is probable that this combination of stamps paid the 34c Retaliatory Rate on a transatlantic cover (1c overpayment).
Ex Eubanks (2020 Rarities of the World sale). "R.H.W. Co." (Weill) backstamp. With 2021 P.F. certificate. Scott value as used pair and used singles $4,025.