Philadelphia Despatch Post, Philadelphia Pa., 3c Red (15L1). Octagonal margins just barely into letters "IL", bright white paper and remarkably clear impression of "Phila. Despatch Post P.M." handstamp, ms. "R & Co." control mark, perfectly clear strike of small red outline "3" cancel (not tied), used on folded letter addressed in blue to the local printing firm of Carter & Scattergood, dated Nov. 1, 1843, from a former employee telling them he has obtained financial backing and started a new venture of his own, red "Phila. Despatch Post -- P.M." circular timestamp

A VERY FINE, COLORFUL AND REMARKABLY FRESH COVER. ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE FIFTEEN RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE PHILADELPHIA DESPATCH POST RED 15L1 STAMP. A WONDERFUL "PRIMITIVE" AMONG PHILATELIC RARITIES.

The Philadelphia Despatch Post is documented in an advertisement in the Philadelphia Public Ledger (Dec. 8, 1842) and in an expanded version with some differences (go to www.siegelauctions.com/enc/carriers/robertson.jpg for an image of the revised ad). In the later ad, the stamps are priced at 3c individually, 31c per dozen and $2 per hundred. Valuable-letter registration for 6-1/4c and a 6c rate on letters beyond two miles are quoted (no examples of either special service are known). The firm's address is 93 Chesnut Street, not 83 South Second Street as in the earlier advertisement.

Dr. Vernon R. Morris Jr. has recently published his own comprehensive census, which updates and expands the census previously published by our firm.

Ex Schwartz, Gordon N. John and Geisler. With 1983 and 2009 P.F. certificates

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