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Sale 273
The Robert L. Markovits Collection
of U.S. Official Stamps, 1873-1884
| Lot |
Photo |
Description |
Lot 3001 |
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Post Office Announcement of Official Stamps, a two-page circular to all postmasters dated May 15, 1873 advising of the abolishment of the franking privilege as of July 1, 1873 and that "the Postmaster General is required by law to provide postage stamps and stamped envelopes of special design for each of the several Executive Departments of the Government, for the pre-payment of postage on official matter passing through the mails." The circular goes on to describe the stamps and colors including that the War Department stamps will be "cochineal red"; minor splits at folds, Very Fine.
Estimate 750 - 1,000
AN IMPORTANT HISTORICAL DOCUMENT FOR BOTH THE OFFICIAL COLLECTOR AND FOR THE COLLECTOR OF FREE FRANKS.
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Lot 3002 |
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Post Office Announcement of return to 10¢ registration fee, one-page circular (bottom third removed) to all postmasters dated June 26, 1875, announcing the reinstatement of the 10¢ registration fee as of July 1, 1875 (the fee had been reduced from 10¢ to 8¢ on January 1, 1874); accompanied by the Post Office Dept. envelope in which it was mailed with a 6¢ Post Office (O50) tied by quartered cork cancel and a "Washington, D.C., June 26" c.d.s., addressed to the postmaster at Richmond Corner, Maine, docketed "Registered Letter Instructions, 1875, July".
Estimate 300 - 400
Some have speculated that the 8¢ fee was extended to September 30, 1875, but absent any postal registration to the contrary, this document would seem to lay rest to that theory.
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Lot 3003 |
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E
1870, 2¢ black, N.B.N.C. die essay on white glazed paper (146-E10), 33 x 42 mm negligible small mounting thins Very Fine and rare.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000
Scott notes only that this essay "may be essay for official stamps".
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Lot 3004 |
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E
1870, 30¢ black, N.B.N.C. die essay on white glazed paper (154-E6), 31 x 40 mm minor small mounting thins Very Fine and rare.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000
Scott notes only that this essay "may be essay for official stamps".
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