5c Blue, Brinkerhoff Ty. I (347). Clear perforations, used with 1c Blue Green, U.S. Automatic Vending Co. Ty. I Perforations (314) and also 2c Shield Imperforate (320) and 2c Alaska-Yukon, Brinkerhoff Ty. IIa (371), tied by "St. Louis Mo. Dec. 20, 1909" circular datestamps on registered 2c entire with Mekeel return address to Charleston S.C., purple "Pine Lawn Mo. Registered Dec. 20, 1909" circular datestamp, receiving backstamp, some trivial soiling

VERY FINE COVER BEARING THE PERFORATIONS OF TWO DIFFERENT COMPANIES. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED USE OF THE 5-CENT BRINKERHOFF TYPE I ON A COVER, AND ONE OF ONLY SIX RECORDED TYPE I COVERS IN TOTAL. IN ADDITION, ONLY SIX COVERS ARE RECORDED WITH THE 2-CENT ALASKA-YUKON WITH BRINKERHOFF TYPE IIa PERFORATIONS. A PHENOMENAL USE.

According to the Belasco book, in early 1909 Brinkerhoff perforated 8,000-10,000 stamps with Type I or Type II perforations for St. Louis stamp dealer Charles H. Mekeel, who advertised them for sale and used a variety of them on his mail. Of the six recorded covers bearing a Brinkerhoff Type I perforation, this is the only cover with the 1909 5c No. 347 stamp. The mixed use of the Brinkerhoff Type I with the Type IIa and the U.S. Automatic Vending Machine Co. Ty. I perforation adds an additional element of rarity to this cover.

Ex Belasco and Getlan.

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