D. O. Blood & Co., Philadelphia Pa., (3c) Black on Grayish, "D.O.B. & Cos." Initials (15L4). Full to large margins, tied by blue "Philadelphia Pa. Sep. 22" circular datestamp with matching "5" in double-circle handstamp on folded cover to New York City street address, receipt docketing confirms 1845 year date

EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE FINEST TIED EXAMPLES OF THE RARE BLOOD'S FIRST STRIDING MESSENGER ISSUE WITH MANUSCRIPT CONTROL MARK.

The Striding Messenger stamp, issued in 1843 by the Philadelphia Despatch Post and adopted by D. O. Blood & Co., is the first pictorial stamp in the world. It depicts a gargantuan letter carrier -- the "City Despatch Post" bag slung over his shoulder -- stepping over the Merchant's Exchange Building, which housed Philadelphia's post office. The image conveys the private posts' superior speed and reliability.

Illustrated in Chronicle (No. 220, p. 318). Ex German Sale, Brown, Hurd, Hall and Jarrett

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