St. Louis, Missouri, 5c Black on Bluish Pelure (11X7). Type III, Position 5 with retouched ball in "5", full margins to barely touched at lower left, detailed impression, cancelled by single unobtrusive manuscript line which leaves entire design clearly visible, tiny scissors-cut at bottom right just into frameline

VERY FINE. EXCEPTIONALLY CHOICE CONDITION FOR THIS RARE ST. LOUIS "BEARS" PROVISIONAL ON PELURE PAPER, EXAMPLES OF WHICH ARE SELDOM ENCOUNTERED IN SOUND CONDITION AND WITH A LIGHT CANCELLATION.

A survey of our Levi records and auction catalogues produced a tally of approximately 35 examples of the 5c Pelure off and on cover. The vast majority have faults or margins cutting into the design. This lightly-cancelled stamp with a tiny scissors-cut is one of the most attractive of all, and it is essentially sound.

Ex Caspary, Pope and Wagshal. With 1985 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $11,000.00, but footnote states: "Values of Nos. 11X7-11X8a, on and off cover, reflect the usual poor condition of these stamps, which were printed on fragile pelure paper. Attractive examples with minor defects sell for considerably more."

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