New Orleans La., 5c Black entire (62XU1). Bold strike of "PD 5 CTS/N.O.P.O." two-line provisional handstamp with "J. L. RIDDELL, P.M." straightline and well-struck "New Orleans La. Dec. 3, 1861" river-mail double-circle datestamp, additional "New Orleans La. 14 Mar." (1862) circular datestamp (sans-serif) on yellow cover to Dennis Mills La., vertical toning band

VERY FINE. THE ONLY RECORDED COMBINATION OF THE NEW ORLEANS PROVISIONAL HANDSTAMP AND BOTH TYPES OF NEW ORLEANS DATESTAMPS.

As noted in our description of the unique 10c entire (Sale 933, lot 948), all provisional markings on that entire, including the datestamp, are impressed through the back of the envelope, indicating that they were applied before the letter (weighing over one-half ounce) was inserted. Therefore, in our opinion, the December 3 (1861) double-circle datestamp on this entire was applied when it was sold, and the March 14 (1862) circular datestamp was applied at the main post office when it was mailed three months later. Dr. Skinner's analysis differs from ours -- he believes that the entire was mailed on December 3 and returned to the main office on March 14, but we see no evidence of non-delivery. In our opinion, some of the New Orleans entires were sold in advance and postmarked with the double-circle on the day of sale; in this instance, the delayed mailing resulted in a second postmark.

Ex Knapp, Brown and Skinner.

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