City Letter Express Mail, Newark, New Jersey, 1¢ Red (45L1), cut to heart shape, used with 3¢ Dull Red, Type I (11), full margins to nicked at top left with small cut, both stamps tied by "Newark N.J. Aug. 22" (1856) circular datestamp on buff cover to Binghamton, New York

Fine; small opening tear at top center and minor edgewear.

Only four examples of the Newark City Letter Express 1¢ stamp are known tied on covers. One of the rarest locals, although easily confused with the New York Metropolitan Express stamps of a similar design.

The Newark Daily Advertiser carried daily advertisements for Peck & Company's City Letter Express from June 12 through September 29, 1856. Augustus L. Peck's partner in the City News Office was R. Jaques, and their office was located at 324 Broad Street. The City Letter Express provided letter delivery to the mails (1¢) and within the city (2¢). Their competitor, Rogers' Penny Post, only carried letters to the post office. Peck's advertisements also solicited package-express business, which may have been on behalf of the New Jersey Express Company, which had its business in Newark during the same period (reference: Elliott Perry, Pat Paragraphs, reprint, pp. 405-408).

Our records contain just four examples of the 45L1 stamp tied on cover, all dated in 1856:

1 August 22, the cover offered here, ex Golden, Kuphal

2 October 28, ex Caspary, Middendorf

3 December 1, ex Boker

4 July 31, 1¢ stamp damaged, reported by William T. Crowe.

Another three covers are recorded with uncancelled stamps, and four or five off-cover stamps are recorded.

Ex David Golden, Edgar Kuphal and Joseph Hackmey. With 1999 P.F. certificate.

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