Sale 1144 — Smithsonian National Postal Museum Benefit Auction
Sale Date — Tuesday, 13 December, 2016
Category — 3c 1851-56 Issue, Dull Red & Shades (Scott 11-11A)
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
93
3c Dull Red, Ty. I, Chicago Perf 12-1/2 (11 var). Position 61L2L, perfs intact all around, tied by "Chicago Ill. Oct. 9, 1856" circular datestamp on American House hotel corner card cover to New York City, slight creasing and small tear at top of cover do not affect stampVERY FINE. A DESIRABLE EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT CHICAGO PERF USED ON A HOTEL CORNER CARD COVER.
Wilson Hulme speculates in his article in Chronicle 175 that R.K. Swift distributed Chicago perf stamps to various businesses as a trial or to strengthen the possibility of selling the perforating machine to the post office. Many of the businesses were in a straight path between Swift's bank and Elijah Hadley's (inventor of the machine) office (p. 167). Covers from Chicago hotels with 3c Chicago Perf stamps were probably mailed by travelers who obtained the stamps from the hotel concierge.
Ex Hulme.
E. 3,000-4,000
2,000