"The New American Postage Envelope!" Souvenir Endorsement on 3c Red on White Nesbitt entire (U1). Nesbitt seal on flap, acquired at The New-York Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations at the Crystal Palace in 1853, Boyd's 2c Black on Green Glazed (20L8), die cut to shape, affixed at upper left with additional note "Boyds Express, a kind of opposition Post office--delivery oftener than the mail", top center "Postage Stamps", the 3c 1851 is a replacement for one that was originally affixed to the entire

A REMARKABLE PHILATELIC SOUVENIR FROM THE 1853 CRYSTAL PALACE EXHIBITION -- ARGUABLY THE EARLIEST AMERICAN PHILATELIC COLLECTIBLE.

Based on the reference to the "New American Postage Envelope," it is surmised that this was acquired as a souvenir by a foreign-born visitor to the 1853 Crystal Palace exhibition, possibly from Great Britain. The 3c Nesbitt stamped envelope had been issued about two weeks before the exhibition opened on July 14, 1853, and Boyd's local post had letter boxes at the fair. By combining the circulating U.S. stamp, new stamped envelope and Boyd's stamp, the creator made a philatelic keepsake, the earliest of its kind known.

Ex Dr. Skinner

Image Magnifier / Download

Power Search for Comparables