Beaumont, Texas, 10c Black on Pink (12X2). Position 4, from the bottom right corner with "Beaumont" showing broken "T", light pink paper, enormous margins including part of frameline of adjoining stamp above, cleanly cut margins at bottom and right and rough separation at left, tied by pen stroke with matching "June 18" (1864) manuscript date on buff cover to Mrs. S. L. Lloyd, Houston Tex., small piece of backflap torn away, tiny edge tear at top, stamp has light wrinkling in right margin but is sound and very choice

EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE TWO OR THREE FINEST OF THE TWELVE RECORDED BEAUMONT 10-CENT PINK PROVISIONAL COVERS--AND ONE OF ONLY FOUR TIED EXAMPLES OF ANY BEAUMONT PROVISIONAL.

According to Jim Wheat's Postmasters & Post Offices of Texas, 1846-1930, the following men served as postmaster of Beaumont, Texas, from 1860 to 1866: John J. Herring, appointed Aug. 17, 1860 (resigned); Wilson A. Junker, Aug 5., 1861 (CSA) (resigned); P. H. Glaze, Nov. 12, 1861 (CSA); Rev. Alexander Hinkle, Dec. 5, 1863 (CSA); Thomas Snow, Feb. 22, 1865 (CSA); John J. Herring, Apr. 6, 1866; and George L. Ewing, Jul. 19, 1866.

Since all recorded examples of the Beaumont provisional stamps are dated in 1864, they were probably issued by Reverend Alexander Hinkle, a Methodist pastor who settled in Beaumont around this time and was appointed postmaster on December 5, 1863.

The stamps were typeset and printed from three different settings: one printed on Pink paper (Scott 12X2), and two on Yellow paper (12X1 and 12X3). A setting of four subjects (two by two) has been reconstructed from the Pink singles (there are no recorded multiples). Each subject has a different arrangement of long and short frame pieces. The printings on Yellow paper were made from two entirely different settings: one slightly smaller than the Pink stamps, and the other much taller with the words "Texas" and "Postage" added to the design.

Only 21 of any kind are recorded, including the unique Large 10c on Yellow (on cover), five of the Small 10c on Yellow (each on cover), and 15 of the Small 10c on Pink (12 covers, 3 off cover). Most of the recorded covers are faulty, and only four have postmarks of any kind tying the stamps.

Of the Pink paper stamps on cover, perhaps two others may be considered on a par with this cover--the July 16 use with a corner-margin stamp, cover restored around edges, ex Hill (2005 Rarities Sale 896, lot 738) and the October 25 cover bearing a stamp with smaller margins and not tied but fresh and sound condition, ex "Camina" (Sale 757, lot 610). By virtue of this stamp's margins, the tying cancel and sound condition, this cover is easily one of the finest extant. The condition of the other nine 10c Pink covers is generally quite poor, with stamps repaired or torn into the design, and several with stamps cut out and reattached to the envelope.

Ex Hind, Caspary, Hill, Kilbourne, Gross and Middendorf. Scott value $27,500.00

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