Kellogg's Penny Post & City Despatch, Cleveland, Ohio, (1¢) Vermilion (92L1), large margins, brilliant color, used with 3¢ Dull Red, Type II (11A), margins all around, small bend/crease at top right, both stamps tied by clearly-struck circular grid and "Cleveland O. Sep. 27" (ca. 1853) circular datestamp on manila cover to Canton, Ohio, with Waverly House blue embossed corner card

Extremely Fine. Arguably the finest of the six recorded covers with the Kellogg's Penny Post stamp, of which only three are tied by a handstamp.

Kellogg's Penny Post & City Despatch was a relatively short-lived local post in Cleveland. It is believed that the post existed in 1853 and 1854. A cover dated June 28 (1853) and a piece dated April 7 (1854) are the earliest and latest recorded dates of use for the 92L1 stamp. Carrier service in Cleveland began in December 1853, which probably forced Kellogg's out of business by mid-1854.

Our records contain six Kellogg's covers. In addition to the six covers, there are at least six 92L1 stamps known off cover. All of the surviving Kellogg's covers were delivered to the post office (three from hotels); no city-delivery covers are known. Perhaps Kellogg's post was incorporated into the Cleveland carrier department started by Henry S. Bishop on December 21, 1853. Bishop left the carrier department on July 1, 1854, to become an employee of the Cleveland post office (source: Elliott Perry). Bishop's move roughly coincides with the end of Kellogg's post; however, no official records are known to us that confirm Kellogg's involvement as a carrier. The use of the black grid to cancel the stamp on this cover strongly suggests an official link to the post office.

From our 1997 Rarities sale (when discovered), and ex Edgar Kuphal and Joseph Hackmey. With 1997 P.F. certificate.

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