3c Orange Brown, Ty. I (10). Position 81R1E, large margins to clear incl. part of adjoining stamp at right, rich color, cancelled by blue grid, matching "Philadelphia Pa. Jul. 1" (1851) first day of issue circular datestamp on blue folded letter to Bethlehem Pa., yeardate confirmed by contents which is an accounting of goods, also by manuscript "July 1/51" at center, some slight splitting along folds

VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE FIRST DAY COVER OF THE 1851 3-CENT ORANGE BROWN, USED FROM PHILADELPHIA.

In his census in the 1851 Sesquicentennial book, Wilson Hulme records a total of 43 covers used on July 1, 1851, which is the first day they were valid for postage. Five are known used from Philadelphia.

Ex Grunin, Lehman and Berkun. With 2007 P.F. certificate.

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