Sale 1188 — United States Stamp Treasures: The William H. Gross Collection
Sale Date — Wednesday, 3 October, 2018
Category — 1861-66 Issue, including Lincoln-Related, Sanitary Fair and Adams Express
This cover depicting Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth, and imploring the public to “Hunt the villain down,” is one of two known--a visually striking and historically significant artifact of postal history and the Civil WarDESCRIPTION
3¢ Rose (65), tied by “Lewis Del.” circular datestamp (date unclear) on cover addressed in pencil to Dr. Seth Arnold, Woonsocket, R.I., with John Wilkes Booth “Hunt the Villain Down” Wanted Design with woodcut engraving of Booth, engraver’s imprint “J. D. EHLERS ENG.”, lengthy caption imploring citizens to search for the assassin with final encouragement “It may be by your means that a benignant Government shall mete out justice to one for whom there should be no mercy.”, publishers imprint “Sold by C. H. Anderson, Bookseller & Stationer, 458 7th St., near cor. F, Washington, D.C.”
PROVENANCE
* Siegel Auction Galleries, 1995 Rarities of the World, 6/5/1995, Sale 767, lot 147, to William H. Gross
CONDITION NOTES
* Fine; cover with some slight wrinkling, corner nick at top right and small toned spot at right edge, stamp has tiny margin flaw
VIEW PDF OF HISTORY AND COMMENTARY at https://siegelauctions.com/2018/1188/60.pdf
