Baltimore Md., 5c Blue & Black entire (3XU1 var). Clear strike of signature in black and with blue "Paid" and and two strikes of "5" in oval markings, with blue "Baltimore Md. Jan. 3" circular datestamp on grayish cover to Washington D.C., two blue manuscript marks at top center

VERY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT BLUE BALTIMORE POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON GRAYISH ENTIRE WITH THE SIGNATURE IN BLACK.

Some students believe that the presence of the two "5" handstamps indicate that this was a double-rate usage, a theory potentially strengthened by the two blue manuscript marks.

No. 11 in the Hayes Census. Ex Ferrary, Hind, "Texas", Weill, Hill and Berlin. With 2008 P.F. certificate. The black signatures were the first ones used and are rare. The Scott Catalogue does not differentiate between the different signatures, but does note that black signatures sell for more. Scott Retail as with normal signature.

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