Marion, Virginia, 10c Black on Bluish (55X2 var). Huge margins to full at top, distinct bluish paper, slight stain at top, tied by "Marion Va. Nov. 18" (1861) circular datestamp on cover to Scottsburg Va., docketing at left has been removed, stamp lifted and placed back on cover which has sealed tears and repairs partially under the stamp, missing backflap

VERY FINE STAMP AND ATTRACTIVE APPEARING COVER. THIS IS ONE OF ONLY SIX AVAILABLE COVERS BEARING THE MARION POSTMASTER'S 10-CENT PROVISIONAL ISSUE, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, THIS STAMP IS THE ONLY 10-CENT KNOWN ON BLUISH PAPER, WHICH HAS YET TO BE LISTED IN SCOTT.

The Marion Va. 5c and 10c provisional stamps, with their distinctive "Check" label at top, were issued by Postmaster J. H. Francis in 1861. The stamps were printed in two steps: first, the typeset form containing the border and words "P. Office, Marion, Va., Check. Paid" were impressed; then the values, "5" or "10" were handstamped on the blank center. Postmaster Francis described his stamps in a January 1880 letter to August Dietz, and he offered to make more from the "die" which he still possessed. Various "reprints" made from the typeset form were made by John W. Scott, including 2c, 15c and 20c values that have never been seen genuinely used.

Genuine Marion provisional stamps are extremely rare. Our records now contain seven covers with the Marion 10c provisional, plus a repaired stamp affixed to the back of a cover noted in the Crown book as part of the Worthington collection. In addition to the seven stamps on covers, there are two unused singles and perhaps one or two off-cover singles. Of the seven known covers, one is part of the Tapling collection at the British Library (a sound example dated Oct. 15, 1861). This is the only known 10c Marion Postmaster's Provisional on bluish paper, and should be separately listed in Scott--as the two varieties of the 5c on bluish are separately listed.

Ex Hessel and Haub. With 1976 P.F. certificate not specifying the paper type. Small "W.H.C." handstamp (Warren H. Colson). Scott value $35,000.00 as normal No. 55X2

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