3c Dull Red, Type I, Chicago Perf 12-1/2 (11 var). Complete and well-formed unofficial perforations all around, tied by "Fort Des Moines Iowa Jun. 19" circular datestamp on cover to New York City, backflap tear just extends to front at top

VERY FINE. ONE OF ONLY FOUR KNOWN 3-CENT CHICAGO PERF COVERS WHICH ORIGINATE FROM OUTSIDE OF CHICAGO.

The origin of the Chicago perforation was revealed in an article published by Jerome S. Wagshal in Chronicle 130 (May 1986). To briefly summarize his research, the inventor of the machine used to create the Chicago Perf stamps was Dr. Elijah W. Hadley, a Chicago dentist. He probably constructed the machine in 1854. Over a two-year period, beginning in November 1854, Dr. Hadley's device was offered for sale to the Post Office Department through R. K. Swift, a prominent Chicago banker and businessman. The distinctive 12.5-gauge Chicago Perf was applied to sheets of the 1c (Plates 1 Late and 2) and 3c 1851 Issue, the 1c being considerably rarer (see lot 126 for an example of the 1c).

Des Moines is approximately 330 miles west of Chicago. Like the few other known covers which were mailed from outside of Chicago, this stamp was likely carried to Des Moines from Chicago by a traveler. Wilson Hulme recorded only two such covers in his 1997 Chronicle articles about the Chicago Perfs--one from Rosedale Wis. (Sale 1224, lot 57) and one from New York (Sale 996, lot 3186). The cover offered here and the cover from Boston in lot 183 are additions to the census.

With 2012 P.F. certificate. Scott value $8,000.00

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