(Greig's) City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black, Unadopted Die Essay on Bond (40L1-E). 43 x 79mm, without outer framelines, there are some significant differences between this engraving and the issued design, particularly in the side ornaments and distance between the top of Washington's head and inner oval, affixed to piece, small pieces out at top right and bottom right and few paper flaws

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE UNADOPTED DIE ESSAY FOR THE 1842 3-CENT CITY DESPATCH POST STAMP -- THE FIRST ADHESIVE STAMP ISSUED IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. ONLY TWO ARE KNOWN.

This issue was printed from a plate of 42 subjects that produced the first adhesive stamps issued in the Western hemisphere. Two examples of this unadopted Die Essay are known. The other is ex Caspary and Middendorf (see The City Despatch Post 1842-1852 Issues: A Study of America's First and Most Versatile Stamp-Producing Plate, Scott R. Trepel).

Ex Ethel Harper. This was reportedly presented by Greig to his sister in England.

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