3c Pale Claret, Ty. I (25). Position 35R7 plating note on back, tied by bold "Philadelphia Pa. Feb. 28" (1857) circular datestamp on small cover to Pughtown Pa.

VERY FINE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST DOCUMENTED USE OF A GOVERNMENT PERFORATED STAMP IN THE UNITED STATES. ONLY THREE ARE RECORDED WITH THE FEBRUARY 28, 1857, DATE -- TWO FROM NEW YORK AND THIS ONE COVER FROM PHILADELPHIA.

The first experimentally perforated stamps were delivered to the U.S. government on February 24, 1857. Seven cities were chosen for distribution. According to the North American and United States Gazette of February 27, "...Ninety thousand were ordered for the cities of Philadelphia and New York, and thirty thousand for New Orleans and other cities of the South and West." The earliest documented use of a perforated stamp is February 28, 1857, based on two covers from New York and the Philadelphia cover offered here. The experimental period continued until June 10, 1857, when the original six-year contract with Toppan, Carpenter expired. It was renewed on April 8, 1857, effective June 10, from which point all stamps were perforated as mandated by the new contract terms.

Ex Hulme. With 1995 A.P.S. certificate stating "used on first day cover, February 28, 1857, Philadelphia, Pa." Also with 1936 letter from Stanley B. Ashbrook to L. J. Shaughnessy, regarding this cover.

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