1c Deep Blue, Columbian (230). Tied by "Salem Mass. Dec. (31) 630PM 1892" Pre-First Day duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel on small cover to G. A. Lee, 10 Saunders Street, Salem Mass., neat "Lynn, Mass. Dec. 31 8PM 92 Rec'd" datestamp on back

VERY FINE. ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED PRE-FIRST DAY COVERS WITH THE ONE-CENT COLUMBIAN--ONLY EIGHT PRE-FIRST DAYS ARE KNOWN FOR THE ENTIRE COLUMBIAN ISSUE.

The official first day of issue of the Columbian Issue (excluding the 8c) was January 1, 1893, which was a Sunday, when most post offices were closed. For this reason and the fact that there were no official first day ceremonies for new issues in this early period, philatelists have long considered January 2 as the accepted alternate First Day of Issue.

The only recorded Sunday, January 1, 1893, Columbian covers are franked with the 1c (three), 2c (five) and two each of the 3c, 4c, 5c and 10c. Two sets of covers with these six denominations were prepared by the Burger Brothers, New York City stamp dealers.

Six covers with 1c, 2c and 10c denominations are known used on December 31, 1892, which predates the official January 1 first day of issue. Five were postmarked at Salem, Massachusetts, and backstamped at Lynn, Massachusetts, on December 31, 1892—two with the 1c and three with the 2c. These were undoubtedly mailed with the cooperation of philatelically minded postmasters. The 10c cover is postmarked at Arlington Heights, Massachusetts, and backstamped at East Lexington, Massachusetts, on December 31, 1892. There are also two covers with East Lexington, Massachusetts, double-circle datestamps dated December 30, 1892, and Arlington Heights, Massachusetts, December 30, 1892, backstamps—one with 1c and 2c stamps and a 1c Postage Due, and the other with a 2c. The 1c/2c cover received P.F. certificate 310412, and the 2c was submitted as no. 83438, but the P.F. declined opinion.

Ex Dr. Martin. With 1977 AFDCS and 1978 P.F. certificates.

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