5c Orange Brown (1b). Ample to full margins on three sides, just into frameline at right, worn-plate impression, tied by blue grid cancel and used with U.S.P.O., Philadelphia Pa., 1c Black on Vermilion Glazed (7LB8), large top margin, traces of three other framelines, uncancelled, blue "Philada. Pa. 5 cts. 7 Mar." (1850) integral-rate circular datestamp on blue folded letter to Richmond Va., sender's notation at top right "carrier 1 &/ postage 6", file folds, one at left passes under corner of carrier stamp but did not crease it

VERY FINE. ONE OF THREE RECORDED COVERS BEARING THE PHILADELPHIA VERMILION CARRIER STAMP AND 1847 ISSUE, AND THE ONLY ONE WITH THE 5-CENT ORANGE BROWN SHADE. AN OUTSTANDING CLASSIC RARITY.

A total of 20 to 22 covers with Scott 7LB8 are reported in the Lyons census (The Penny Post, July 2006), but several covers he lists have stamps that did not originate, and one of his 1847 combination entries ("w/ #1a 4-3-51") duplicates another entry ("3-8-51") due to a misreading of the postmark date. The true number of 7LB8 covers is probably closer to 15.

There are only three 7LB8 covers with 1847 Issue stamps listed in the USPCS census, each with a single 5c. The other two both bear the 5c Dark Brown (Scott 1a) and were sold in our auctions of the David Golden collection (Sale 817, lot 368) and the William H. Gross collection (Sale 1041, lot 249, also addressed to Griswold & Claiborne). This is the only one of the three to bear the desirable Orange Brown shade of the 5c 1847.

USPCS census no. 10935. Ex Hessel, Golden and Dr. Morris. With 1999 P.F. certificate. Scott value $21,000.00

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