| Postmasters‘ Provisionals |
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Lot 1 |
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Annapolis, Md. (2XU1 var.), "Post Office" eagle seal struck in blue on small ladies' envelope addressed locally, matching blue "2" drop rating handstamp, flaps with red edging and top with embossed flower; small edge flaws at left, Fine and rare.
Scott $3,000
EXCEEDINGLY RARE AND UNDERCATALOGED.
Expertization: 1970 P.F. certificate.
Provenance: Meroni, Hayes, Haas, Beals
Only a small number of envelopes and folded letters exist with the Annapolis post office seal struck in red or blue. The Annapolis provisional envelopes are similarly struck with the seal and a "Paid 5" handstamp.
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Lot 2 |
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Annapolis, Md. (2XU1 var.), very fine strike of "Post Office" eagle seal struck in red on envelope front with small portions of flaps remaining, addressed locally to W.B. Stephenson, Esq., matching red "2" drop rating handstamp; Fine and rare.
Scott $5,000
Expertization: 1956 P.F. certificate.
Provenance: Meroni
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Lot 3 |
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Baltimore, Md., 1845, 5¢ black on white (3X1), three full framelines including two large margins, slightly in at top, tied by blue "Paid" grid handstamp on cover to Port Tobacco, Md., additional strike of "Paid" at right with large oval "5" rating, matching blue "Baltimore Md. Feb. 21" c.d.s.; cover fold at left not affecting stamp, slight edge soiling, a Very Fine usage.
Scott $12,500
AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT BALTIMORE PROVISIONAL ON BLUISH PAPER TIED SOLELY BY THE "PAID" HANDSTAMP.
Expertization: "W.H.C." Colson handstamp, 1991 P.F. Certificate.
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Lot 4 |
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Baltimore, Md., 1845, 5¢ black on bluish (3X3), parts of framelines showing on three sides, partial Baltimore "Paid" handstamp in blue, Very Fine and rare.
Scott $5,500
Expertization: 1970 P.F. Certificate.
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Lot 5 |
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Baltimore, Md., 1845, 5¢ blue (3XU1), unusually clear strikes of provisional markings, blue "Baltimore Md. May 24" c.d.s. on buff entire from the Mason correspondence to Reading, Pa.; some light creasing, Very Fine.
Scott $6,500
A CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT BLUE BALTIMORE PROVISIONAL ENTIRE.
Expertization: "R.H.W. Co." (Weill Bros.) backstamp.
The Baltimore provisional envelopes are rarely seen with all of the provisional handstamps completely visible.
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Lot 6 |
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Boscawen N.H. Provisional Collateral, important group of four stampless covers whose markings tie together the formation of the provisional stamp, comprising 1844 with manuscript postmark, free frank and letter entirely in the hand of postmaster Worcester Webster, 1848 with blue "Paid 5 Cents" straightline rating (the "Paid" and "Cents" being the same as they appear on the provisional), 1847 and 1849 with blue and red "5" rating handstamps similar in style to the "5" on the provisional; also includes a 1934 postcard of the infamous dealer Frank Marquis depicting the provisional that he purchased at the 1933 Hind sale but was unable to pay for, Fine to Very Fine, a unique group of collateral for the provisional specialist.
Estimate 3,000 - 4,000
The straightline "Paid 5 Cents" handstamp was first reported in a March 1992 article in The American Philatelist.
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Lot 7 |
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Brattleboro, Vt., 1846, 5¢ black on buff (5X1), ample to large margins just touching top frameline, affixed to small piece. Red "Paid" cancellation. Lower left corner skillfully repaired. Fresh and Fine appearance.
Scott $10,000
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Lot 8 |
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Millbury, Mass., 1846, 5¢ black on bluish (7X1), cut to shape, red Millbury Mass. c.d.s., affixed to piece and additional cancellation drawn in. Fine and exceedingly rare.
Scott $50,000
A MOST ATTRACTIVE, AND AFFORDABLE, EXAMPLE OF THIS EXCEEDINGLY RARE AND DESIRABLE PROVISIONAL.
Expertization: 1957 and 1992 P.F. Certificates.
There are only eighteen recorded examples of the Millbury Mass. provisional, on or off cover.
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Lot 9 |
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New Haven, Ct., 1845, 5¢ red on white (8XU1), magenta signature, cut square. Four even margins. Very Fine.
Scott $25,000
Expertization: 1956 P.F. Certificate and "W.H.C." (Colson) backstamp.
Provenance: Hunter, Dr. Bowers, Caspary
One of only five to six recorded examples of the 5¢ red on white New Haven provisional.
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Lot 10 |
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New Haven, Ct., 1845, 5¢ dull blue on buff (8XU3), cut to shape, black signature. Small repaired tear at bottom. Fine.
Scott $12,500
Expertization: 1988 P.F. Certificate.
Provenance: Hunter
One of only two recorded examples of the 5¢ dull blue on buff New Haven provisional:
1. Entire, blue signature, April 6 c.d.s., Ex-Ferrary (misdescribed), Caspary, Isleham
2. Cut to shape, black signature, the example offered here.
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Lot 11 |
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New Haven Conn., 5c carmine red, Signed, 1874 Peets Reprint (8XU1R), hard white paper measuring 62x58mm, original blue manuscript signature of "E.A. Mitchell", Very Fine and choice.
Scott $750
This reprint bearing the actual signature of Postmaster Mitchell is rare. There were only thirty produced in 1874 for Cyrus B. Peets, Chief Clerk for Mitchell.
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Lot 12 |
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New York, N.Y., 5¢ black on bluish, Sperati Forgery (9X1), well executed forgery, four ample to large margins, characteristic intense color, bold strike of New York style "Paid" in arc fake handstamp, Very Fine, signed "Jean de Sperati" on reverse.
Estimate 300 - 400
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Lot 13 |
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New York, N.Y., 1845, 5¢ black on bluish (9X1), full to large margins, bright and fresh, clear impression. Unused. Choice Very Fine.
Scott $1,500
Expertization: 1973 A.P.S. Certificate.
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Lot 14 |
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New York, N.Y., 5¢ black on bluish, major double transfer (9X1 var.), position 2, huge margins with part sheet margin at top and part of adjacent stamp at right, intense color and sharp impression accentuates the double transfer, exceptionally fresh and desirable. Unused. Extremely Fine.
Scott $1,700
A SUPERB UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THIS DRAMATIC PRINTING VARIETY.
Expertization: 1973 P.F. Certificate.
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Lot 15 |
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New York, N.Y., 1845, 5¢ black on bluish (9X1), ample to large margins. Almost full strike of New York squared grid in red. Fresh and nearly Very Fine.
Scott $575
Expertization: 1986 P.F. Certificate (as 9X1a).
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Lot 16 |
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New York, N.Y., 1845, 5¢ black on bluish (9X1), ample to full margins. Boldly struck New York squared grid in red. Fresh and nearly Very Fine.
Scott $575
Expertization: 1985 P.F. Certificate (as 9X1a).
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Lot 17 |
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New York, N.Y., 1845, 5¢ black on bluish "A-C" connected (9X1a), mostly large margins, rich color. Unused. Fresh and Very Fine.
Scott $1,750
Expertization: 1986 P.F. Certificate (as 9X1).
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Lot 18 |
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New York, N.Y., 5¢ black on bluish, without signature, double transfer (9X1e var.), position 29, double transfer mostly in top half including "Post Office", ample to large margins. Unused. Toned. Very Fine appearance.
Scott $3,750
Expertization: clear 1974 P.F. Certificate.
Provenance: Philip T. Wall
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Lot 19 |
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New York, N.Y., 5¢ black on pelure, without signature (9X1e var.), clear to large margins, thin pelure paper, some typical paper wrinkling not mentioned in certificate. Unused. Fresh and Fine.
Scott $3,500
Expertization: 1991 P.F. Certificate.
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Lot 20 |
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New York, N.Y., 1845, 5¢ black on bluish, without signature (9X1e), large margins all around. Blue manuscript cancellation. Small faults including faint horizontal crease. Very Fine appearance.
Scott $750
Expertization: 1983 P.F. Certificate.
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Lot 21 |
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New York, N.Y., 1845, 5¢ black on blue, double transfer (9X2 var.), position 29, double transfer mostly in top half including "Post Office", ample to mostly large margins, deep color and impression show variety well. Lightly cancelled by New York squared grid in red. Very Fine.
Scott $3,500
A CHOICE USED EXAMPLE OF THIS SCARCE BLUE PAPER.
Expertization: 1974 P.F. Certificate (as old number 9X1a).
Provenance: Philip T. Wall
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Lot 22 |
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New York, N.Y., 1847, 5¢ black on gray, signed ACM (9X3), full even margins. New York squared grid cancellation in red. Vertical and horizontal creases that just break the paper. Nearly Very Fine appearance.
Scott $2,250
Expertization: 1991 P.F. Certificate.
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Lot 23 |
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Providence, R.I., 5¢ gray black, preprinting paper fold (10X1 var.), large fold, full to huge margins including part of right sheet margin, detailed impression. Unused. Fresh and Very Fine.
Estimate 400 - 500
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Lot 24 |
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Providence, R.I., 1846, 5¢ gray black (10X1), full to large margins. Black manuscript check mark cancellation. Lightly stained. Fine and scarce used example.
Scott $1,750
Expertization: 1983 P.F. certificate.
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Lot 25 |
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Providence, R.I., 1846, 10¢ gray black (10X2), position 3, large margins including top and right sheet margin, rich color. Original gum. Fresh and Extremely Fine.
Scott $1,150
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Lot 26 |
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Providence, R.I., 1846, 5¢ and 10¢ gray black, se-tenant (10X2a), top right corner margin pair with large margins all around. Original gum. Slight toning. Very Fine appearance.
Scott $2,000
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Lot 27 |
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Providence, R.I., 5¢-10¢ gray black, complete sheet (10X1-2) (eleven 5c, one 10c), sharp impression. Original gum, couple small paper hinge remnants. Trivial crease upper right corner. Very Fine appearance.
Scott $5,500
Expertization: clear 1964 P.F. certificate.
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Lot 28 |
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Providence, R.I., 5¢-10¢ gray black, complete reprint sheet (10X1-2 reprint) (eleven 5c, one 10c). Unused. Small bleach speck. Very Fine appearance.
Scott $725
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Lot 29 |
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St. Louis, Mo., 1845, 5¢ black on greenish (11X1), type II, position 3, full margins, just clear at lower left. Neatly cancelled by red St. Louis c.d.s. Small faults. Fine appearance. a scarce example cancelled solely by red c.d.s.
Scott $6,500
Expertization: 1982 P.F. Certificate.
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Lot 30 |
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St. Louis, Mo., 1845, 10¢ black on greenish (11X2), type I, position 2, full to large margins, sharp impression. Unused. Fresh and Very Fine.
Scott $10,000
FOUR MARGIN UNUSED SINGLES, ESPECIALLY WITHOUT FAULTS, ARE QUITE RARE AND HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER.
Expertization: 1989 P.F. Certificate.
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Lot 31 |
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St. Louis, Mo., 1845, 10¢ black on greenish (11X2), type II, position 4, large margins to just touching at lower right corner. Manuscript pen cancellations. Very Fine.
Scott $6,500
Expertization: 1976 P.F. Certificate.
Provenance: David T. Beals III
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Lot 32 |
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St. Louis, Mo., 1845, 20¢ black on greenish (11X3), type II, position 3, large even margins all around, manuscript cancellation, small part of red datestamp at lower right. Extremely Fine and choice.
Scott $85,000
THE FINEST OF ONLY THREE RECORDED OFF-COVER EXAMPLES OF THE 20¢ GREENISH.
Expertization: 1989 P.F. Certificate.
Provenance: Worthington, Lapham, Weill
Of the three recorded off-cover examples, the other two are type I from position 1, and have smaller margins with thins (both Ex-Faiman). There are also two covers recorded, a solo 20¢ franking and a 50¢ franking of two 20¢ singles used with 10¢ on gray lilac.
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Lot 33 |
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St. Louis, Mo., 1846, 5¢ black on gray lilac (11X4), type III, position 5, large to huge margins, manuscript cancellation, detailed impression. Fresh and Very Fine.
Scott $25,000
ONE OF THE FINEST KNOWN OFF-COVER EXAMPLES OF THE FIVE-CENT "BEAR" ON GRAY LILAC PAPER. THE WEILL BROTHERS’ STOCK HAD ONLY ONE EXAMPLE, THAT BEING CREASED AND ONLY FINE APPEARING—THE FAIMAN COLLECTION HAD NONE.
Expertization: 1972 P.F. Certificate.
The St Louis Bear stamps were printed from a single plate of six subjects that was modified twice to change the denominations of two positions. The rarity of the 5¢ on gray lilac paper derives from the use of gray lilac paper in only a portion of the printing from the second state of the plate. The first state of the plate contained three 5¢ and three 10¢ stamps. In the second state, two of the 5¢ positions were replaced with the new 20¢ value, leaving only one position to produce a 5¢ stamp. Therefore, at least in terms of the number produced, the 5¢ on gray lilac is twice as rare as the 20¢.
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Lot 34 |
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St. Louis, Mo., 1846, 10¢ black on gray lilac (11X5), type III, position 6, full to large margins, very strong impression on bright paper, neatly cancelled by manuscript. Very Fine.
Scott $6,000
A CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 10¢ ST. LOUIS BEAR ON GRAY LILAC PAPER.
Expertization: 1988 P.F. Certificate.
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Lot 35 |
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St. Louis, Mo., 1846, 10¢ black on gray lilac (11X5), type II, position 3, touching to close margins, cancelled by red St. Louis circular datestamp. Trifling corner crease at lower right. Fine a scarce example cancelled entirely by red c.d.s.
Scott $6,000
Expertization: clear 1985 P.F. Certificate.
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Lot 36 |
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St. Louis, Mo., 1846, 20¢ black on gray lilac (11X6), type I, position 1, ample to large margins. Light manuscript cancellation. Tiny almost invisible scissors cut entirely in top right margin. Still choice and Very Fine.
Scott $25,000
ONE OF THE FINEST OFF-COVER EXAMPLES OF THE 20¢ ST. LOUIS BEAR ON GRAY LILAC.
Expertization: "W.H.C(olson) backstamp, clear 1984 P.F. Certificate.
Provenance: Caspary, Weill
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Lot 37 |
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St. Louis, Mo., 5¢ black on bluish pelure (11X7), types II & III, positions 3 & 5, vertical pair, close to large margins all around, deep color and strong impression, manuscript cancellation, slight offset of 10¢ on reverse. Corner crease upper right position 3 and pinhole erosion in position 5. Very Fine appearance. unlisted as pair.
Scott $16,000+
QUITE POSSIBLY THE ONLY RECORDED MULTIPLE OF THE 5¢ ON BLUISH PAPER.
Expertization: 1990 P.S.E. Certificate.
There were no pairs recorded in either the Caspary, Weill or Faiman collections.
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Lot 38 |
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St. Louis, Mo., 10¢ black on bluish pelure (11X8), type I, position 2, large margins to just clear at top. Manuscript cancellation. Fine. rare in sound condition and with four margins.
Scott $8,000
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