Sale 1211 — The William H. Gross Collection: United States Postal History
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 29-30 October, 2019
Category — 1847 Issue to and from British North America
The earliest post-demonetization use of the 1847 Issue from Canada10¢ Black (2), three large margins, ample to just in at upper right, crisp impression, small scuff at top left, tied by red "Montreal L.C. JY 28, 1851" circular datestamp on blue folded cover from Montreal, Canada to New York City, from the D. S. Kennedy correspondence, demonetized use accepted as fully paid in Canada and New York, originally treated as unpaid with "6d" in circle handstamp applied in Montreal, this was struck out by a Canadian 7-ring target cancel, red "CANADA" in arc handstamp applied as required by postal agreement, red "PAID" arc handstamp applied in New York indicates this was considered fully prepaid
Very Fine cover; one vertical file fold passes through 10¢ stamp, but is not disfiguring. An extremely rare demonetized use of the 1847 Issue on a cover to New York City, originating in Montreal, Canada, on July 28, 1851. Only six or seven demonetized covers with the 1847 Issue are known from Canada, and of these only four are from Montreal. The USPCS census no. 282 is a cover dated 7/29/1851, but without a photo or corroboration it seems very likely the entry is based on this cover, listed as no. 281.
The 1847 Issue was demonetized on July 1, 1851. Supplies of the 1847 Issue sent to Canada could be redeemed through September 30, 1851; however, not all stamps were redeemed, and some were used after demonetization. Although no longer valid on mail posted within the United States, the stamps on mail from Canada to the U.S. were accepted--the latest use is on April 6, 1853. According to Creighton C. Hart, the demonetization order was "not binding on residents of Canada," which appears to be empirically true (Chronicle 80, where this cover is photographed). The addressee, D. S. Kennedy, was the Canadian government's fiscal agent in the United States, another reason to accept the stamp, even though it would have deprived Canada of revenue since the payment in U.S. stamps meant the U.S. kept all postage.
Ex John D. Pope III, Dr. John L. Robertson and Joseph Hackmey. Described in Stanley B. Ashbrook, Special Service, #68, p. 551, photo 272. Illustrated in Bakers' U.S. Classics (p. 181).
