1c on 2c Red on Cream, Postal Card (UX36). Clear surcharge, cancelled by "Long Beach Calif. Mar. 21, 1921 4PM" cancel to local address, back of card with Long Beach Public Library notice notifying recipient that his book is reserved until Mar. 24, trivial corner dents

EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF ONLY THREE CONFIRMED EXAMPLES OF THIS GREAT POSTAL CARD RARITY. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT RARITIES OF POSTAL CARD COLLECTING.

According to an article in Postal Stationery, the surcharging was done in order to provide for cards for the new 1c postal card rate, which was lowered from 2c after World War I. This particular card was revalued at the Los Angeles post office.

Four cards have been reported, but only three have been confirmed. Two have notices from the Long Beach Library. One has a notice regarding an Elks Club Christmas party. The fourth unconfirmed example is also supposed to have an Elks Club notice, but has not been seen in over 80 years and may be lost to philately.

The card offered here was discovered in 1992 by an auction describer for a firm no longer in business. It is offered to the market for the first time since 1993. The last "Library Card" sold was purchased privately from a dealer at a price reported to be approximately $75,000.

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