DESCRIPTION

10¢ Black (2), two horizontal strips of three, originally a block of six, Positions 85-87R and 95-97R, used with three singles, Positions 71R, 81R and 91R, originally a vertical strip of three, clear to huge margins on all stamps except for single at upper right which was damaged in handling (a stamp with a similar cancel has been hinged over the part stamp to enhance the cover's appearance), each with light strike of red grid cancel, matching red "PANAMA" straightline handstamp applied before the stamps were affixed on folded cover originating in Lima, Peru, and sent to Barron, Forbes & Co. in San Blas, Mexico, and on to Tepic, receipt docketing gives Lima origin and July 13, 1850, mailing date: "1850, Santiago [?], Lima 13 Julio, R 30 Octobre, C. 8 Nove"

PROVENANCE

Described in Ashbrook Scrap Book 17, p. 19 (P.F. website), with copy of 1948 letter from Jerome L. Cohen, a Tucson dealer

Col. James T. DeVoss, Sotheby Parke Bernet sale, 10/25/1978, Sale 25, lot 2166, to Ishikawa

Ryohei Ishikawa, Christie's Robson Lowe sale, 9/28-29/1993, lot 79, to Craveri

Guido Craveri, Bennett sale, 3/23/2002, lot 19, to William H. Gross

CENSUS, LITERATURE AND EXHIBITION REFERENCES

USPCS census no. 10216 https://www.uspcs.org/resource-center/censuses/1847-cover-census/

Stanley B. Ashbrook, Special Service, #11, p. 71, photo 38

Hugh J. and J. David Baker, Bakers' U.S. Classics, p. 152

Col. James T. DeVoss, "A Remarkable Cover: Largest Multiple Use of The 10-Cent 1847 Stamp Known on Cover," Chronicle 91 -- Via Panama, p. 148

Gordon Eubanks, Jr., "Covers with Three or More 1847 Stamps," Chronicle 254, fig. 2

Richard B. Graham, "Postal History and Stamps: A Colorful Combination, 1847-1861," American Philatelist, November 1978

Creighton C. Hart, "1847 Covers from Panama," Chronicle 58

Jonathan W. Rose, Classic United States Imperforate Stamps, p. 22

PHILYMPIA 1970 London International Stamp Exhibition (DeVoss), illustrated in the exhibition catalogue (p. 90)

INTERPHIL 1976 (DeVoss)

CERTIFICATION

The Philatelic Foundation (1999)

CONDITION NOTES

Fine appearance; stamp at upper right hinged over remnant of original stamp, some ink erosion in address and horizontal file fold with some slight splitting

HISTORY AND COMMENTARY

Nine 10¢ 1847s Used Entirely Outside the United States

This astonishing cover has nine 10¢ 1847 stamps, all cut from one of the 25 sheets supplied to the U.S. mail agent in Panama, shortly after the stamps arrived. The two strips of three along the top originally formed a block of six.

The 90¢ postage paid the triple 30¢ per half-ounce rate from Panama to points along the West Coast. The cover originated in Lima, Peru, and was stamped by the U.S. mail agent and consul in Panama, Amos B. Corwine, before it was carried on a Pacific Mail Steamship Co. steamer on the coastal route to San Francisco. Among the stops made on this route was the Mexican port city of San Blas.

Official records of 1847 stamp distribution indicate that 25 sheets of the 10¢ (2,500 stamps) were sent on June 22, 1850, to Corwine in Panama, and received on July 16. Another 25 sheets were sent on January 17, 1851, and received March 21. The stamps on this cover come from the first supply and were used soon after they arrived. A red "PANAMA" handstamp was applied by Corwine before he affixed the stamps. A digital mirror image of the reverse side is shown.

The USPCS 1847 census lists ten covers originating in Panama. This is one of three addressed to a destination outside of the United States, including one to Mazatlan (lot 119 in this sale) and two to San Blas/Tepic. This cover is the only multiple 30¢ rate stamped cover. More significantly, it is the largest 10¢ 1847 franking on any extant cover.

Barron Forbes & Co., the recipient, was founded in the 1820s and became one of the region's leading trade, banking and mercantile enterprises. According to historian Howard Gulick, "during the period from 1846 to 1853 the company controlled the port of San Blas by corrupting the customs employees to such an extent that it was practically impossible for anybody but the company to import goods profitably."

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