Sale 1188 — United States Stamp Treasures: The William H. Gross Collection
Sale Date — Wednesday, 3 October, 2018
Category — Fancy Cancellations, Mostly from Waterbury, Connecticut
Circus Elephant of Waterbury, Connecticut--one of the rarest and most fascinating of Postmaster John W. Hill’s creations and the only strike known on a 2¢ “Black Jack”DESCRIPTION
Circus Elephant, a sharp and dark strike showing the ear and eye with perfect clarity, “Waterbury Con. Apr. 18 ‘66” double-circle datestamp, the Elephant ties 2¢ Black (73) on buff cover to Charles Perkins, a local Waterbury resident
PROVENANCE
* Mattatuck Historical Society, The Collectors Shop (Keffer), 11/12/1959, lot 51, to Matthies
* Katharine Matthies, Siegel Auction Galleries, 1/11/1977, Sale 503, lot 338
* Mary Ann Owens (sold privately to William H. Gross)
CENSUS, LITERATURE AND EXHIBITION REFERENCES
* Paul C. Rohloff, The Waterbury Cancellations, 1865-1890, Rohloff A-2
CERTIFICATION
* The Philatelic Foundation (1977 and 1999)
CONDITION NOTES
* Extremely Fine strike; cover slightly reduced at right
VIEW PDF OF HISTORY AND COMMENTARY at https://siegelauctions.com/2018/1188/71.pdf
