Letter Express (Wells), 10c Black on Scarlet (96L4). Large margins to barely in at top, ms. cancel on folded cover to Boston Mass., overall toning

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONLY FIVE GENUINE COVERS EXIST WITH THE 10-CENT SCARLET LETTER EXPRESS STAMP, MAKING THIS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL 1844 INDEPENDENT MAIL USES.

The stamps issued by Wells' Letter Express are remarkable both for the purpose they served and for their distinctive designs. The oval 96L1-96L2 stamps depict the Goddess of Commerce surrounded by bales and barrels with a merchant vessel in the background -- symbols of private enterprise and the robust economic growth of America during the 1840's. The circular 96L3-96L4 stamps depict an American marine charging ashore with sword raised and Union Flag waving, and a naval vessel in the background. This design, chosen for stamps that would be used in the Great Lakes region, has been described as a commemoration of the Battle of Lake Champlain during the War of 1812, which may or may not be accurate.

Our records contain five 10c Scarlet covers as follows: 1) Jul. 19, 1844 Boyd's delivery date in NYC, sent from Cleveland with Scarlet 96L4 and Pomeroy's 117L1, ex Worthington, Hollowbush, Hall (Siegel Sale 830, lot 369); 2) Sep. 28, 1844, folded letter from Buffalo to Miller & Co., NYC, double rate, stamp tied by ms., ex Caspary, Golden (Siegel Sale 817, lot 1304) and Kuphal (Siegel Sale 925, lot 1036; 3) Oct. 4, 1844, folded letter from Monroe Mich. to Dwight Johnson, NYC, with Scarlet 96L4 and Pomeroy's 117L1, ex Perry, Schwartz; 4) [Date unknown] 1844, folded letter from [origin unknown] to Willet P. Ward, NYC, with Scarlet 96L4 and Pomeroy's 117L1, Sloane's records; and 5) [Date unknown] 1844, folded cover from [origin unknown] to Mrs. Jane Bruce, Boston Mass., the cover offered here, ex Petri. The three combination frankings each bear a Pomeroy's stamp, affixed by Wells to credit Pomeroy with their share of the prepaid postage.

This cover, along with the rest of a Wells' Letter Express study collection was stolen from the residence of noted Buffalo collector Pitt Petri, in 1967. It was recently reunited with Mr. Petri's family due to the efforts of a good samaritan. It is now offered to the market for the first time in more than 50 years

With 1954 P.F. certificate stating the stamp is genuine but declining opinion as to whether it originated (we believe it does). Scott Retail as tied on cover $9,250.00

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