Russell's 8th Ave. Post Office, New York N.Y., (2c) Black on Yellow (130L2). Huge bottom sheet margin, large at sides and slightly in at top, a few gum wrinkles and minor scuffs at lower right, uncancelled, used with 3c Dull Red, Type I (11), large margins to barely in, light vertical crease, tied by "New-York Dec. 8" circular datestamp on small cover to Bloomfield N.J.

VERY FINE. A CHOICE COVER BEARING THE RARE EIGHTH AVENUE POST OFFICE LOCAL STAMP IN COMBINATION WITH THE 3-CENT 1851 ISSUE. ONLY THREE 130L2 COVERS ARE KNOWN TO US, INCLUDING TWO USED WITH THE 3-CENT 1851 FROM THE SAME CORRESPONDENCE.

Although little documentation has been produced, the accepted history of the Eighth Avenue Post Office is that it was operated by James Price in 1854 and sold that year to David Russell. Price may have issued the unique Eighth Avenue Post Office stamp (Scott 63L1), which is reported to have been used in 1852. The portrait on the 120L1 stamp issued by Price is thought to be his own. Price's successor, David Russell, is listed at 387 Eighth Avenue in 1854 and then at 410 Eighth Avenue from 1855 until 1857-58. The 1855-56 directory lists his occupation as "express" and in 1856-58 it is given as "subpost." Price issued a stamp very similar in design to Russell's.

The three Russell 130L2 covers we record are: 1) Tied by part strike of New York circular datestamp to James Allaire, Monmouth Co. N.J., 3c 1851 missing, ex Caspary, Middendorf; 2) Uncancelled with 3c 1851, New York Dec. 18 circular datestamp, to Susan Magie, Bloomfield N.J., ex Lilly, Golden and Kuphal, the cover offered here; and 3) Uncancelled with 3c 1851, New York Mar. 14 circular datestamp, to Susan Magie, Bloomfield N.J., ex Lilly and Boker.

Ex Lilly, Golden and Kuphal. With 1999 and 2007 P.F. certificates.

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