Bishop's City Post, Cleveland O., (unstated value) Blue (10LB1). Large margins to clear, deep shade, used with 3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A), large margins to clear, tied by "Cleveland O. Feb. 8" circular datestamp on orange cover to Yale College at New Haven Conn., from the Huntington correspondence

EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF SEVEN RECORDED COVERS WITH THE BISHOP'S BLUE CARRIER STAMP. AN OUTSTANDING CARRIER USAGE AND BEAUTIFUL 1851 COMBINATION COVER.

Henry S. Bishop was appointed to operate the Cleveland carrier department on December 21, 1853. Research by Elliott Perry shows that Bishop became an employee of the post office on July 1, 1854, but the city post continued to function, with or without his direct participation. Bishop issued two stamps: the 10LB1 Blue with blank oval, presumably designed to accommodate more than one denomination; and the 10LB2 Black with 2c value. Both are very rare. The census by Thomas F. Allen (19th Century Cleveland, Ohio, Postal Markings) is still current with seven 10LB1 covers recorded; of these, only one cover has the stamp tied by a cancel (Golden sale, lot 279, realized $13,500), and one cover has a pair paying the delivery fee (Golden sale, lot 278, realized $15,000).

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