Brigg's Despatch, Philadelphia Pa., (2c) Black on Yellow (25L1). Huge bottom margin showing dividing line and adjoining stamp, clear impression on bright yellow paper, usual small ms. "X" cancel, used on folded letter datelined "Philadelphia, Jun. 6, 1848", to Washington D.C., blue "Philada. Pa. 5 cts. Jun. 7" integral-rate circular datestamp partly torn away with top right corner of address panel, the letter is otherwise sound

VERY FINE STAMP AND A RARE COVER. ONLY NINE BRIGG'S DESPATCH "HAND & ENVELOPE" STAMPS ARE KNOWN ON ANY COLOR OF PAPER -- THIS STAMP ON DISTINCTLY YELLOW PAPER IS ONE OF SEVEN RECORDED 25L1'S ON COVERS.

Patton's history of Brigg's Despatch follows earlier accounts in attributing ownership to George W. Briggs, who Patton states is listed in Philadelphia city directories as a "currier" (mis-spelling for carrier) from 1841 through 1855. Based on surviving stamps and covers, Brigg's started his post in 1848 and probably closed the business in 1850. His office was located at 61 South 8th Street. Blood's office was located at 48 South 3rd Street in 1848 and moved to 28 South 6th Street in 1849. The similarity in design and issue dates between the Brigg's "Hand & Envelope" and Small "Paid" stamps and Blood's "Dove & Envelope" and Small "Paid" stamps suggests that Brigg's was a small copycat post.

Our records of the "Hand & Envelope" issue contain two off-cover stamps (one added to a cover) and seven covers, including the unique example on Blue paper (25L2, ex Golden). The design of the stamp is stylistically identical to Blood's "Dove & Envelope" (15L11), issued about the same time in 1848. Although the Scott Catalogue describes 25L1 paper as "Yellow-Buff", a comparison of the two 25L1 stamps offered in the Golden sale shows that one is on Yellow paper (as is the stamp on the cover offered here) and the other is on Rose paper (Golden lot 786). Other recorded 25L1 stamps are not available for comparison (nor are there any color photographs or accurate descriptions), so it is impossible to say how many are Yellow or Rose, or if other color varieties exists. The 25L1/25L2 examples we record (updated from the Golden sale) are as follows: 1) 25L1, Yellow paper, cut to shape, ms. "X" cancel, on Jul. 26 (1847-48) local folded letter to Wilkins, Golden (Siegel Sale 817, lot 785, realized $10,500 hammer); 2) 25L1, Rose paper, ms. "X", on folded letter with Philadelphia "5" handstamp, docketed Nov. 11, 1849, PFC "decline opinion" as to use, ex Souren, Gibson, Boker, Golden (Siegel Sale 817, lot 786, realized $9,500 hammer); 3) 25L1, Yellow paper, ms. "X" cancel, Jun. 7, 1848 folded letter to Rev. Ward, Washington D.C., part blue Philadelphia datestamp, the cover offered here, ex Caspary, Hall (Siegel Sale 830, lot 508, realized $6,250 hammer); 4) 25L1, ms. "X" cancel, tied by Philadelphia Jun. 29 datestamp on 1848 folded letter to Pennypacker, West Chester Pa., ex Boker; 5) 25L1, ms. "X" cancel, on local cover to Burrows, Costales photo files; 6) 25L1, smudged cancel (pen?), added to a cover to Adele U. Picot, Jul. 18 datestamp, Harmer, Rooke sale, Mar. 6-7, 1951, lot 241, and P.F. records as "did not originate"; 7) cut to shape, pen cancel, faults, Lyons collection; 8) 25L1, Yellow paper, ms. "X" cancels, Jul. 26 (1848) datestamp on folded letter to Mary A. Clark, Norwalk Conn., private collection; and 9) 25L2 on Blue paper, on printed circular to 28 S. Front St., Southwark, blue Philadelphia May 20 (or 30) datestamp, PFC "decline opinion" as to use, ex Caspary, Boker, Golden (Siegel Sale 817, lot 787, realized $7,000).

Ex Caspary and Hall.

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