Sale 1255 — The David W. Gorham Collection of Outstanding Used U.S. Stamps
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 17-20 May, 2022
Category — Postmasters' Provisionals (Scott 3X3-11X8)
Brattleboro, Vermont, 5c Black on Buff (5X1). Position 6 from the Lapham-Colson reconstruction, large margins all around including part of adjoining stamp at right, cancelled solely by red "PA(ID)" handstamp cancel, completely soundEXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE BRATTLEBORO POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ISSUE IN EXISTENCE. A TRULY SPECTACULAR STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT.
The USPCS census records 57 examples of the Brattleboro, Vermont, Postmaster's Provisional (37 off cover and 20 stamps on 19 covers). Four off-cover stamps recently emerged after decades off the market. Most of the known examples have faults, ranging from thins to creases and repairs. There are seven potential off cover that are sound, but three do not have four margins and one is just touched at one spot. This leaves only three off-cover copies that are sound and have four margins: USPCS census nos. 20196, 20199 (which is reportedly unused) and the stamp offered here.
Ex Lapham, Colson, Weill Brothers and Wall. With 1990 and 2005 P.F. certificates
