Lord & Taylor, New York N.Y., 12c Black (EP125). Stamp placed to left and with some perforations visible at upper right above the tab, denomination fully visible, case has rich color, intact mica with trace of laminating in cross-lighting only

VERY FINE. THIS IS ONE OF THE CHOICEST OF THE FEW KNOWN 12-CENT LORD & TAYLOR ENCASED POSTAGE STAMPS.

Lord & Taylor was founded in 1826 by Samuel Lord, an immigrant from England, who started with capital borrowed from his wife's uncle. Lord was soon joined by his wife's cousin, George Washington Taylor, and they created the "department store" that remains one of the leading retailers of fashionable apparel. In 1862 there were three different stores in Manhattan, all of which are listed on their encased postage.

The Ford sale catalogue (Stack's 6/23/2004, lot 550) comments, "the number of these that survive is under 10 and probably closer to five or six." The Reed census rating is R-8 (5-10 known).

Ex Ford and Litle

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