1c Dark Yellow Green, Chapman Overprint (R158A). Fresh color, neat "Jul. 17, 1898" handstamp cancel leaves overprint clearly visible, faint diagonal crease at bottom right, small tears at top left and bottom center

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT CHAPMAN OVERPRINT. ONLY NINETEEN COPIES ARE RECORDED IN TOTAL. ONE OF THE GREATEST REVENUE RARITIES.

According to Scott Catalogue, the 1c Trans-Mississippi was overprinted by the Purvis Printing Company with federal government approval. They were ordered by L. H. Chapman of the Chapman Steamboat Line, which operated freight-carrying steamboats along the Erie Canal. Only 250 stamps were produced; additionally, 250 were printed reading "I.R./P.I.D. & Son", for P.I. Daprix & Son, which served different ports along the same waterway.

In his privately published census, Larry Lyons records fourteen used and one unused copies of Scott R158A. Our records contain two additional used and two additional unused, for a total of 19.

Owner's "CSY" backstamp. With 2002 P.F. certificate.

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