(Cole's) Post Office City Despatch, New York N.Y., 2c Black on Green Glazed, Hand-Etched Sideways "C" at Left (40L4b). Position 25 with lefthand "C" etched into plate by hand (so-called "Sideways C" variety), cancelled by one of three strikes of "Free" in frame in black (one on front, two on back with stamp; the strike on the stamp ties by impression thru paper), red "P.O. City Despatch Post Feb. 14 -- O'Clock" circular datestamp also on back of embossed Valentine cover to local street address, back cut open for display, faults on front, stamp has creases and chipped enamel

A FINE AND EXHIBIT-WORTHY COVER. ONLY SIX EXAMPLES OF THE POST OFFICE CITY DESPATCH HAND-ETCHED SIDEWAYS "C" VARIETY ON GREEN PAPER ARE RECORDED ON COVERS. THIS IS THE ONLY KNOWN VALENTINE.

This stamp comes from Position 25, one of seven subjects on the plate that have the "Sideways C" variety, which occurred when a failed attempt was made to hand-etch the letter "C" into the plate (Positions 1, 2, 3, 7, 13, 19 and 25 show this distinctive variety). There are six recorded covers with the "Sideways C" on Green paper (40L4b). This is the only Valentine cover.

The black "Free" in frame cancel was applied by Cole during the early stages of his operation of the post after Cummings and Wright. This is the only recorded city-delivery cover showing use of the "CC" stamp with black "Free" cancel (the others are to-the-mails covers; see The City Despatch Post 1842-1852 Issues, page 17, this cover was not known to the author).

Ex Eno, Kuphal and "New Amsterdam".

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