St. Louis Mo., 5c Black on Greenish (11X1). Position 5, ample margins to slightly in along outer framelines only, sharp impression on deep greenish paper, without pen cancellation and tied by red "St. Louis Mo. Feb. 5" (ca. 1846) circular datestamp, matching "Paid" straightline struck twice -- once near stamp and again with ms. "5" rate -- on folded cover to the postmaster of Gallatin Mo.

VERY FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE ST. LOUIS 5-CENT "BEARS" PROVISIONAL USED ALONE TO PAY UNDER-300 MILES RATE. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE STAMP CANCELLED SOLELY BY THE RED CIRCULAR DATESTAMP.

This is an unusual use of the St. Louis provisional stamp to pay the 5c rate. Most surviving examples on cover were mailed over the 300-mile limit for the 5c rate. The address to another postmaster is also unusual.

With 1974 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail for a cover with usual pen cancellation

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