5¢ Dark Brown (1a), large to ample margins all around, tied by blue negative "5" Numeral in 5-Point Star rate handstamp with small negative stars in points, matching "PAID" straightline handstamp and "Huntsville Al. Mar. 25" (1850) circular datestamp, all markings clearly struck on blue folded letter to Demopolis, Alabama, sender's notation "Paid" at top center indicates stamp was affixed, receipt docketing on back, stamp with additional lightened pen cancel

Extremely Fine--a spectacular 5¢ 1847 cover with one of the few fancy rate handstamps used during the 1847 period. This is one of only three recorded 1847 Issue covers with the Huntsville, Alabama, "5" Cent Star handstamp and the only one of the three with the stamp tied by the fancy cancel.

For much of the 19th century, postmasters used various markings on letters to indicate whether the sender had prepaid postage or the recipient owed money for postage. The "Paid" versus "Due" mindset continued for decades after the introduction of federal postage stamps in 1847, and even persisted after prepayment of domestic postage was made compulsory in 1855. The "Paid" originally instructed the receiving post office to deliver the letter free of postage charges, but evolved to mean "cancelled" when used on stamped letters. After the 1847 stamps were issued, the vast majority of mail was still sent without stamps, and much of the stampless mail was sent collect. Therefore, postmasters used markings on all letters to indicate whether or not postage had been prepaid, regardless of the method of prepayment--a coin handed to the post office clerk, postage charged to a box account, or paid with one of the new adhesive stamps. Many small post offices used pen and ink, because the low volume of mail and postage revenue did not justify the cost of purchasing metal or wood handstamps, which was the postmaster's responsibility. Most post offices used a standard circular town datestamp and "Paid" handstamp. Boston and other post offices actually included the word "Paid" in the circular grid used to cancel the stamp.

Huntsville, Alabama, is one of the places where the more elaborate "fancy" rate markings were used on letters, both with and without stamps. From 1845 through 1853, there were three postmasters: Daniel B. Turner (1845-1847), William Nunnally (1847-1849), and Joseph J. Pitman (1849-1853). Nearly 100 examples of the "5" Star handstamp are recorded on letters, dated from September 1845 through 1853, a long period of use. Although this marking's use overlaps the 1847 Issue period, only three covers with the "5" Star have 1847 stamps. The three are listed in the USPCS 1847 census as no. 7 (August 23, 1848), no. 8 (March 25, 1850, the cover offered here) and no. 9 (October 9, 1850).

Ex Rep. Ernest R. Ackerman, Duane B. Garrett, Ryohei Ishikawa, Guido Craveri and Joseph Hackmey. With 1993 P.F. certificate.

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