St. Louis, Missouri, 5¢ Black on Greenish (11X1), Type II, Position 3, large margins all around including trace of adjoining stamp at top, uncancelled, on bluish gray folded letter to Saint Genevieve, Missouri, red "St. Louis Mo. Jan. 19" (1846) circular datestamp with matching "PAID" handstamp and manuscript "5" rate, sender's "Paid" notation

Extremely Fine Gem stamp and exceedingly rare uncancelled example of the 5¢ St. Louis "Bears" provisional on Greenish paper, used on a cover mailed within Missouri--cover with minor toning specks at edges and small bleached spot, which not not affect the superb stamp.

This is the only recorded use of this stamp to St. Genevieve and one of only ten addressed to another Missouri town. The extraordinary condition and uncancelled state of the stamp should be factored into the valuation, but we hope it does not suffer the fate of other superb uncancelled "Bears" stamps and remains on this cover.

Ex Alfred H. Caspary and Josiah K. Lilly, Jr. Date notation in pencil at lower left is in George B. Sloane's neat handwriting. USPCS census no. 21139. With 2002 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail for 11X1 in unused condition (which means uncancelled) is $50,000.00.

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