Sale 331

U.S. and Worldwide Stamps and Postal History


Earliest Documented Usages -- Ex-Aristocrat
 
 
Lot Photo Description
Lot 65

New York, N.Y., U.S. City Despatch Post, 1842, 3¢ black on grayish (6LB1), four margins, cancelled by boxed "US" handstamp on 1842 folded cover carried privately from Boston and entered the mails in New York City for local delivery to a street address, matching red "City Despatch Post, U.S., Aug 16" rimmed c.d.s., docketed in blue manuscript "Charles Jackson Jr., Boston, Ans. Aug 17. 1842"; slight edge splitting and light soiling, stamp faulty, but absolutely unnoticable, a Very Fine usage.
Scott $100,000

THE ONLY RECORDED FIRST DAY COVER OF THE FIRST UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ADHESIVE.

Expertization: 1991 P.F. and 2000 A.P.S. Certificates, signed by F.W. Hunter on inside of lettersheet beneath the stamp.

Provenance: Hunter, Brooks, Wilson, Kapiloff

The United States Postmaster General established a carrier service in New York City by purchasing Greig's City Desptach Post on August 1, 1842. Service as a government carrier service commenced on August 16, 1842 as the United State City Despatch Post and utilized the same stamps previously circulated by Greig. The postmark device used was altered to include "U.S." at foot and the stamps were canceled with boxed "US" handstamp.

These were the first adhesive postage stamps authorized to be used by the post office and the cover above was posted on the first day of service.

Accompanied by copy of a February 20, 1922 letter from F. W. Geissenhainer to Vahan Mozian, "In reply to your favor of the 18th inst., would say that the City Dispatch envelope, together with a number of others, was found by me about six years ago among a lot of old papers and letters belonging to my grandfather, the Reverand F. W. Geissenhainer." Also includes a photocopy of the cover referred to by the grandson to the Reverend mailed October 15, 1842 with 1976 P.F. Certificate (52,323).

Note on reverse from prior sale, "Nassau Stamp Co., Oct 1926, $447.00".

No. 1 in the Larry Lyons Census, The Penny Post, Vol. 12 No. 4, Oct. 2004, p. 29.
Subject of article by Richard Schwartz, "The Long, Long Road to Acceptance: A First Day Cover of the U.S. City Despatch", Opinions VI, Philatelic Foundation, 1992, pp. 1-6.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 66

Brattleboro, Vt., 1846, 5¢ black on buff (5X1), position 9, large margins to just touching bottom frameline, small scrapes at lower left and upper right, tiny manuscript "FNP" initials below the engraved initials of the postmaster, tied by red "Paid" straightline with matching "Brattleboro Vt. 28 Aug" c.d.s. on 1846 folded letter datelined "Brattleboro Aug. 27, 1846" to Matthew Hale at Chelsea, Vermont; right side of center file fold is slightly toned, Very Fine.
Scott $35,000 for a later date Estimate $25,000 - 30,000

THE EARLIEST DOCUMENTED USE OF THE BRATTLEBORO POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL.

Expertization: 2000 P.F. Certificate.

Provenance: C. F. Bishop,"Troy" collection, and Philip T. Wall

It can be theorized that this letter may actually have been sent close to the first day of issue for the Brattleboro provisional. The August 27, 1846 letter is written from William R. Hale to his brother Matthew, with a postscript that lends credence "I pay this just to shew you the stamp. It's against my principles you know." It was a relatively new practice in America to prepay postage, and the sender obviously felt that his brother would enjoy seeing the novelty item, the Brattleboro stamp.

In Cal Hahn's article (CCP, Jan-Feb 1988, pg. 17), he discusses the tiny "FNP" initials on this stamp as a possible authenticating practice. He assumes they were applied by the postmaster, Dr. Frederick N. Palmer, and the practise was quickly abandoned. Because this is the earliest recorded date, it is possible that the first sheets sold were initialled by the postmaster, similar in practice to the New York City postmaster.

After this August 28 postmark date, the next earliest Brattleboro cover recorded in Cal Hahn's census is September 3, 1846 (Census number 24).

No. 6 in the Hahn Census, "The Plating of the Brattleboro", Collector's Club Philatelist, May-June 1988, P. 161-166.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 67

1851, 1¢ blue, type II (7), position 16L1E, large margins at sides, slightly in at top and bottom, tied by circular grid on printed circular datelined "Baltimore, July 1st, 1851" to Mount Airy, Va., some fold splitting, Fine.
Scott $4,000

ONE OF ONLY FIVE RECORDED FIRST DAY USAGES ON PRINTED CIRCULARS ACCORDING TO THE HULME CENSUS.

Expertization: 1982 P.F. Certificate, Notes on reverse by Ashbrook.

According to the Wilson Hulme's census in "The 1851 Issue of United States Stamps: a Sesquicentennial Retrospective" book, there are only seven first day usages of the 1851 1¢ issue, with five being printed circulars.

No. 4 in Stanley Ashbrook's Special Service,
The One Cent 1851 First Day Covers - July 1, 1851, p. 93-94.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 68

1851, 1¢ blue, type III (8), position 73L4, large margins except slightly in at right, tied by Chicago July 21, 1857 c.d.s. on Arimitage correspondence cover to Exeter, Ill., Very Fine.
Scott $3,750

Expertization: 2004 P.S.E. and 2005 A.P.S. Certificates.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 69

1858, 5¢ brick red, type I (27), vertical strip of three, perforations trimmed at top and left, tied by "New Orleans La. Oct 6 1858" c.d.s. on datelined folded letter to Nantes, France, bright red "New York Paid 12 Oct 13" exchange c.d.s., French (10.25) entry, Paris (10.26) backstamps; refolded at top, a Very Fine usage.
Estimate $3,000 - 4,000

A RARE 1858 5¢ BRICK RED STRIP USED ON A HANDSOME COVER, THIS BEING THE EARLIEST DOCUMENTED USAGE.

Expertization: 1998 P.F. Certificate.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 70

"Old Stamps/ Not Recognized", bold straightline along with "Due 3" handstamp on 3¢ red, die 5 entire (U9), grid cancel and "Philadelphia Pa Aug 17 1861" octagon datestamp, addressed to New Hope, Pa.; tiny edge tears at corners, Very Fine. [Not the earliest documented use—see below.
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000

A SUPERB STRIKE AND THE FIRST DAY OF USE FOR THE PHILADELPHIA "OLD STAMPS NOT RECOGNIZED" HANDSTAMP.

Expertization: 2004 P.F. Certificate.

The 1861 "Star Die" entires, which were issued to replace the Nesbitt entires, were released a week prior to the 1861 adhesives. The Nesbitts could be exchanged for the Star Dies from August 8th through August 14th and were considered invalid as of the 15th. We are now aware of a Nesbitt entire postmarked in Philadelphia on August 16th with the "Old Stamps Not Recognized" handstamp.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 71

1867, 12¢ intense black, Z. grill (85E), tied by segmented cork cancellation on 1868 cover to London, England, red "New York Pkt. Paid Feb 12" c.d.s., reddish "London FE 24 68" datestamp, cover with small edge tear, a Very Fine usage.
Scott $3,000 for a later date Estimate $3,000 - 4,000

THE EARLIEST DOCUMENTED USAGE OF THE RARE 12¢ Z. GRILL.

Expertization: 2006 P.F. Certificate.

This cover was from a recent discovery. The previous earliest documented date was just three days later, February 15, and was held by two examples.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 72

1869 (1875 Re-issue), 1¢ buff (123), vertical pair, tied by grid cancellations duplexed with "Chicago Ill. 9 Dec" c.d.s. on 3¢ red Centennial entire (U218) to Colchester, England, additional red "Chicago Ill. Paid All Dec 10" exchange office c.d.s. ties stamps, reverse with Colchester (12.23.1877) backstamp; Very Fine and choice paying the proper 5¢ G.P.U. rate to England.
Estimate $7,500 - 10,000

A SPECTACULAR 1869 RE-ISSUE COVER. THIS BEING THE EARLIEST RECORDED USE OF ANY OF THE 1869 RE-ISSUES, AND THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF AN 1869 RE-ISSUE ON AN 1876 CENTENNIAL ENTIRE.

Expertization: 1980 P.F. & 2000 A.P.S. Certificates.

Provenance: the "European" collection

The 1869 re-issues were available for purchase from the main Washington D.C. postal office. They were not sent to post offices in the normal course of business. Most of the known covers were sent by stamp dealers.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 73

1870, 10¢ brown, grilled (139), used with 6¢ carmine (148) horizontal pair, tied by Philadelphia foreign mail grid cancellations and purple "Phila Paid All May 6" c.d.s. on tissue paper cover to British Burma, red London (5.16.1870) and Bassein (6.30) transits, reverse with blue Sea Post (6.9) and Calcutta (6.19) transits; couple typical tissue paper flaws; otherwise a Very Fine and scarce destination.
Estimate $1,000 - 1,500

THE EARLIEST DOCUMENTED USAGE OF THE 1870 10¢ GRILLED.

Expertization: 2004 A.P.S. Certificate.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 74

1870, 30¢ black, grilled (143), single used with 2¢ red brown (146) two singles (one with straight edge) and 10¢ brown (150), tied by cork cancellations on Bissell correspondence cover to Ahmednuggur, India, red slightly indistinct "Boston Aug 18" c.d.s., red London transit and crayon "36/2" rating, red "2D" colonial credit handstamp, red Ahmudnugger (10.1.1870) backstamp; light water stains, Fine.
Estimate $3,000 - 4,000

THE EARLIEST DOCUMENTED USAGE OF THE 1870 30¢ GRILLED.

Expertization: 1988 P.F. and 2001 A.P.S. Certificates.

Provenance: dos Passos, Klein

Calvet Hahn, "The National Bank Note Issues", The Collectors Club Philatelist, Sep-Oct 1989, p. 304.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 75

1870, 15¢ bright orange (152), tied by manuscript cancellation on 1870 cover to Franbrunnen, Switzerland, "Woodville Ohio Jun 24" c.d.s., red "New York Paid All Br. Transit" (6.28) datestamp, Basel (7.10.1870) and Franbrunnen (7.11) backstamps; cover soiled and torn at top left, opened at right, Fine.
Estimate $200 - 300

THE EARLIEST DOCUMENTED USAGE OF THE 1870 15¢ UNGRILLED.

Expertization: 2000 P.F. Certificate.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 76

1873, 90¢ rose carmine (166), bright color, used with 10¢ brown (161) three singles and 24¢ purple (153) single, all cancelled by matching target cancellations duplexed with "Brownsville Tex. Jun 25" c.d.s. on address panel of a parcel to Galveston, Tex., docketed as received "June 30th 1875"; panel has reinforced faults, Fine and scarce use.
Estimate $3,000 - 4,000

THE EARLIEST DOCUMENTED USAGE OF THE 1873 90¢ ROSE CARMINE.

Expertization: 1986 P.F. Certificate.

Provenance: Emerson, West
Emerson, West, "Aristocrat"

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 77

1888, 5¢ indigo (216), tied by cork cancellation duplexed with "East Saginaw, Mich. Mar 15 88" c.d.s. on cover to Cleveland Ohio, Very Fine and clean.
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000

THE EARLIEST DOCUMENTED USAGE OF THE 1888 5¢ GARFIELD.

Expertization: 2000 A.P.S. Certificate.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 78

1888, 30¢ orange brown (217), horizontal pair, used with 10¢ brown (209) and 15¢ orange (189) tied by "New York Sep 7 '88" Station "P" duplexes on Crossman correspondence cover to London, England, endorsed per "Serbia", red London (9.17.1986), reduced at top and irregular opening, Fine.
Estimate $750 - 1,000

THE EARLIEST DOCUMENTED USAGE OF THE 1888 30¢ ORANGE BROWN.

Expertization: 1999 A.P.S. Certificate.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 79

1893, 15¢ Columbian (238), horizontal straight edge pair, used with 10¢ Columbian (237) single, tied by "Washington, D.C. Jan 26 '93" duplex cancellations on large size envelope to Kristiania, Norway, partial New York (1.27) and Kristiania (2.12) backstamps, purple "Legation of Sweden and Norway, Washington, D.C." handstamp on flap; cover with small faults and reduced at ends, Fine.
Estimate $500 - 750

THE EARLIEST DOCUMENTED USAGE OF THE 15¢ COLUMBIAN.

Expertization: 1998 A.P.S. Certificate.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 80

First Bureau Issue, four different EDUs (252), 1894, 2¢ type III (252) tied on cover "Haverstraw N.Y. Apr 5 1895" (earliest documented use on cover — there is an example used on piece date April 2) to Otter River Mass., backstamped "Otter River Rec'd Apr 6 1895"; small edge tear, still Very Fine with 2001 A.P.S. Certificate; 1894, 50¢ orange (260) top straight edge, cancelled by partial New York "12-12 1894" third-class oval cancellation; small thin spot, Fine with clear 1997 A.P.S. Certificate; 1895, 2¢ carmine, type III (267), tied by "Fitchburg, Mass. May 28 1895" wavy machine cancellation on cover to local Historical Society, pencil receipt docketing; stamp hinged in place, light soiling, Fine, with 2005 A.P.S. Certificate; 1895, 2¢ pink, type III (267a), tied by "Brooklyn, N.Y. Sta. E Dec 8 '97" duplex handstamp on cover to local New York City address, reverse with "P.O.N.Y. 12-8-97" c.d.s., large printed real estate agent return address; stamp glued to cover, edge wear and aging, opened at top, Fine, with 2001 A.P.S. Certificate.
Estimate $750 - 1,000
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 81

1898, 2¢ Trans-Miss. (286), tied by "Omaha, Neb./Jun 17 '98" machine cancellation on blue cacheted exposition envelope addressed to Grinnell Iowa, reverse with "Grinnell Iowa Rec'd Jun 18" receiver; reduced slightly at left, stamp with surface scrape, Fine.
Scott $14,000

THE UNIQUE EXPOSITION CACHETED 2¢ TRANS-MISSISSIPPI FIRST DAY COVER.

Expertization: 1996 P.F. Certificate.

There are only two recorded Trans-Mississippi first day covers bearing an exposition cachet:
1. 1¢ with Official Seal cachet in light blue to The Legal Advisor in Chicago Ill.
2. 2¢ with Seated Liberty cachet in dark blue to Iowa College in Grinnell Iowa. The example offered here.

Illustrated in the Alan Berkun census, First Days, June 1998, p. 277.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 82

1901 Pan-American set complete (294-299), singles, tied by "Boston Mass 33" registry oval cancellations on 2¢ carmine entire (U362) to Salem Mass., purple "Registered/May 1 1901/Sub-Station No. 33/P.O. Boston Mass." framed postmark, purple "A.C. Sherman" senders backstamp; 2¢ repaired with part added at left, Extremely Fine appearance.
Scott $30,000

A MOST ATTRACTIVE COMPLETE PAN-AMERICAN SET FIRST DAY COVER.

Expertization: clear 1969 P.F. Certificate.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 83

1901 Pan-American set complete (294-299), singles, tied by New York registry ovals on registered European size cover to St. Gallen, Switzerland, purple "Registered May 1 1901, Madison Square Branch. New York P.O." framed backstamp, New York exchange label affixed, reverse with New York (5.1, 5.2) ovals and St. Gallen (5.11) arrival c.d.s., Yonkers N.Y. return address; 4¢ straight edge, small cover faults, Fine.
Scott $30,000

THE ONLY COMPLETE PAN-AMERICAN SET FIRST DAY COVER TO SWITZERLAND.

Expertization: 1970 A.F.D.C.S. Certificate.

Provenance: Silberberg

There are only two Pan-American first day covers sent to Switzerland, the complete set offered here and a combination 5¢, 8¢ registered cover. This cover was purchased by the current owner from the Estate of Bernard Silberberg, and has not been on the public market in many years.

Illustrated in Bernard Silberberg, "United States Stamps: The Series of 1901," 1976.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 84

1903, 4¢ brown and 5¢ bluetwo EDUs (303-304), 4¢ brown on reverse used with 1¢ blue green (300) four singles and pair, and 2¢ carmine (279B) single on front, tied by "St. Louis Mo." registry oval cancellations on registered St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co. stationery envelope to Cleveland Ohio, magenta "Registered St. Louis, Mo. Mar 10 1903" datestamp, two Cleveland (3.11) arrival backstamps, Fine, with 2006 A.P.S. Certificate; 5¢ blue tied by "Chicago, Ill. Feb 9 1903" machine cancellation on "Medinah Temple" illustrated cover to Borsbeek, Belgium, New York (2.10) and Deurne (2.19) backstamps, return address on flap (small piece missing); reduced slightly at top, Very Fine and attractive, with 2004 A.P.S. Certificate; Also includes a 6¢ claret that was the previous EDU: a single, used with 4¢ brown (303) straight edge single, tied by cork cancellation duplexed with "Huguenot Ga. May 8 1903" c.d.s. on merchant and stamp dealer envelope to Goodale's Corner, Maine; reduced at left, Fine, 2001 A.P.S. Certificate [the current EDU will be listed as April 29, 1903].
Estimate $1,000 - 1,500
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 85

1909, 2¢ Hudson-Fulton (372), well centered, tied by "Lancaster, Pa Sep 25 09" first day machine cancellation on Fulton souvenir picture post card depicting Fulton's birthplace; couple perf flaws, otherwise Very Fine.
Scott $1,400
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 86

1915, 5¢ Panama-Pacific, perf 10 (403), two singles, tied by "Chicago Ill" registry oval cancellations on registered 2¢ red on blue entire (U414) to Syracuse N.Y., purple "Chicago, Ill. Registered Feb 6 1915" backstamp, appropriate registry markings, typed "Railway Mail Service" endorsement, purple "Syracuse N.Y. Reg. Div." (2.7) arrival backstamp, Very Fine.
Estimate $2,500 - 3,000

THE EARLIEST DOCUMENTED USAGE OF THE 1915 PANAMA-PACIFIC 5¢ PERF 10.

Expertization: 1970 A.F.D.C.S. and 1971 P.F. Certificates.

Provenance: Fisher

Illustrated in the Berkun and Savadge census, First Days, Jan. 15, 2005. p. 37, fig. 13.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 87

1915, 10¢ Panama-Pacific, perf 10 (404), well centered margin block of four, luxuriant color, tied by "New York Reg" registry ovals on registered cover to Washington D.C., purple "New York N.Y. Rec'd Reg'y 8-27 1915" oval backstamps, appropriate registry markings, purple "Fee Claimed at Washington D.C." circular handstamp, Washington Special Delivery and Registry (8.28) backstamps; reduced at ends, Very Fine.
Estimate $3,000 - 4,000

THE EARLIEST DOCUMENTED USAGE OF THE 1915 PANAMA-PACIFIC 10¢ PERF 10.

Expertization: 2005 A.P.S. Certificate.

Provenance: Johl

Discussed in the Berkun and Savadge census, First Days, Jan. 15, 2005. p. 37.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 88

1920, 2¢ Pilgrim (549), tied by "Washington, D.C. Dec 21 1920" machine cancellation on First Day cover with red preprinted address to The Stamp Shoppe in Washington D.C.; cover reduced at left, Very Fine.
Scott $500
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 89

1934, 3¢ Mother's Day, rotary (737), single, tied by "Saint Louis Mo. Apr 26 1934" Earliest Pre-Date machine cancellation on cover to Lancaster Pa., with Linn's article confirming the Apr. 26 EDU date; accompanied by 3¢ Mother's Day (737) single tied by "Yomesite National Park Calif. May 1 1934" Pre-Date machine cancellation on Yomesite Park and Curry Co. illustrated corner card envelope to Ashland Oregon, with 2004 A.P.S. Certificate; Very Fine pair, both used prior to the May 3 first day release.
Estimate $200 - 300

Expertization: 2004 A.P.S. Certificate.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 90
 
Airmail, 1923 Second Series Post Office Announcement, August 15, 1923, announcement from the Office of the Third Asst. Postmaster General, noting the new issue of airmail stamps intended for use in the new night flying Air Mail Service between New York and San Francisco, are to be issued shortly, Very Fine.
Estimate $150 - 200
View details
Lot 91

Special Delivery, 1925, 15¢ deep orange (E13), block of 15 with two plate "16857" numbers, used with ½¢ Hale (551) plate number "17029" block of 12, tied by "Washington D.C. Apr 11 1925" duplex handstamps on large First Day cover addressed to E. Worden in Milburn N.J., Very Fine.
Estimate $500 - 750
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 92

Postage Dues, 1879, 2¢ & 10¢ brown (J2, J5), two EDus: used with a 3¢ (J3), uncancelled on incoming ship letter from Liberia to Washington D.C., pencil endorsed "Due 5¢" and with "New York Jul 27 '79" c.d.s. duplexed with "Due 5 Cents" duplex handstamp, reverse with violet "Carrier Jul 28" c.d.s., endorsed "Ships Letter. U.S.S. Essex."; repaired cover tear, Fine; 10¢, "NY" pearls precanced, affixed to cover from Great Britain bearing G.B. 2½d tied by "London S.with. Sp 27 79" duplex, handstamp "T" (taxe) and with "New York Oct 7 '79, Due 10 cents" duplex handstamp; small cover flaws, Fine, with 2004 A.P.S. Certificate.
Estimate $500 - 750

The U.S.S. Essex was in Liberia at the time the 2¢/3¢ cover was posted.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 93

Postage Due, 1925, ½¢ dull red (J68), Two April 15, 1925 covers, first Philadelphia Pa. bearing 1¢ postage and ½ postage due (J68) tied by purple c.d.s.; secondthird Sterling Ill. bearing 1½¢ Prexie postage paying correct 3rd class postage, uprated to first class and charged "Postage due ½ cents", precancelled ½¢ postage due (J68) added; Very Fine and interesting trio of earliest documented usages of the 1925 ½¢ postage due.
Estimate $200 - 300
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 94

Parcel Post, 1913, 1¢ carmine rose (Q1, Q2), two FDCs: first bears single of each paying the 3¢ first class rate and tied by "Silver Lake N.H. Jul 1 1913" first day duplexes on cover to North Abington, Mass., printed corner card, cover creasing, Fine, with 2000 A.P.S. Certificate; second bears 2¢ only, tied by "St. Paul, Minn. Jul 1 1913" machine cancellation on cover to local street address, newspaper clipping affixed, "Can use Parcel Post Stamps on Letters. Washington, June 26 - Parcel Post stamps will be valid on all classes of mail on and after July 1, and ordinary stamps, including commemorative issues, will be be good for postage on parcel post packages, under an order issued today by the Postmaster General Burleson.", original enclosure included; cover tear, light overall toning, Fine, ex Bothamly.
Estimate $1,500 - 2,000

A RARE JULY 1, 1913 COMBINATION FIRST DAY COVER OF THE 1¢ AND 2¢ PARCEL POST STAMPS.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 95

Envelope, 1853, 3¢ red on buff, dies 4 & 5 (U8, U10), two EDUs, first cancelled by clear strike of "Westerly R.I. Nov 19" c.d.s. and addressed to New York, endorsed "Mayton & Co., Nov 18. 1853", slight toing, Fine and scarce, with 2002 A.P.S. Certificate; second cancelled by "Buffalo N.Y. Jul 10" double-arc datestamp, addressed to New York City, pencil "Recd July 11th 1854" endorsement, torn flap, tiny repaired edge nick, Fine, with 2002 A.P.S. Certificate.
Estimate $500 - 750
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 96

Envelope, 1860, 3¢ red on buff (U27), cancelled "New-York Aug 18 1860" c.d.s. and addressed to Burlington N.J., clear strike of "Burlington N.J. Sep 14 1860" double circle datestamp and "Advertised" straightline; minor edgewear and creasing, Fine.
Estimate $2,500 - 3,000

THE EARLIEST DOCUMENTED USAGE OF ANY STAR DIE ENTIRE.

Expertization: 1999 A.P.S. Certificate.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 97
 
Envelope, 1860, 1¢ & 3¢ Star Die earliest documented usages (U19, U26), group of five comprising UPSS 29-7-20u-1 (12/16/1860), 30-7-22-1 (3/9/1861), 30a-7-22u-1 (12/5/1861), 49-2-2-1 (1/7/1861), and 51a (5/26/1861); some faults, all with A.P.S. certificates, Fine.
Estimate $300 - 400
View details
Lot 98

Envelope, 1861, 3¢ pink (U34), U.P.S.S. (70-5-12-1) patent lines variety, cancelled by "New-York Aug 17 1860" duplex datestamp and addressed to Sullivan County N.Y., opened at right, Fine.
Estimate $750 - 1,000

Expertization: 2004 A.P.S. Certificate.

Newspaper Notice placed by New York City postmaster on August 7, 1861:
Special Notice
Post Office, New York, Aug. 7, 1861. The new style of GOVERNMENT STAMPED ENVELOPES is now ready at this office. Exchange will be made of the new style for an equivalent amount of old issue during a period of SIX DAYS from the date of this notice, after which no letters under cover of the old issue will be sent from the office.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 99
 
Envelope, 1863-64, 2¢ "Black Jack" earliest documented usages, group of four comprising UPSS 108-7-24-1 (2/26/1867), 102-7-20-1 (7/24/1863), 110-7-24u-1 (2/9/1866), and 12-WIF-1 (8/31/1867), circular rate usages domestically and to Canada and England; some faults, all with 2004 A.P.S. certificates, Fine.
Estimate $300 - 400
View details
Lot 100
 
Envelope, 1865, 3¢ brown (U60/UPSS 130-21-97-1), vertical watermark, used with packet boat "Stonewall Jan 8 1869" octagon datestamp in black (Milgram 1322) addressed to New Orleans La., also includes 3¢ entire with pricing information for various paper qualities; Fine and scarce packet marking, the earliest documented use of this UPSS variety.
Estimate $200 - 300
View details
Lot 101
 
Envelope, 1870, 2¢ brown (U78/UPSS 155-6-16-2), cancelled by quartered cork showing indistinct Boston c.d.s., addressed to Morristown N.J., printed Metropolitan Railroad Co. notice dated Dec. 6, 1870, unsealed circular rate, Very Fine and rare, the earliest documented use of this UPSS type, unpriced by U.P.S.S. in used condition.
Estimate $200 - 300

Expertization: 2005 A.P.S. Certificate.
View details
Lot 102

Envelope, 1870, 2¢ brown on amber (U79/UPSS 160-7-25-2), cancelled lightly and with indistinct New York c.d.s. addressed locally, blue "St. Nicholas Hotel. New York Sep 18 1870" oval handstamp.
Estimate $300 - 400

THE EARLIEST DOCUMENTED USAGE OF ANY REAY ENVELOPE.

Expertization: 2005 A.P.S. Certificate.

The date on this envelope predates the official October 1, 1870 issue date by about two weeks.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 103
 
Envelope, 1870-71 Reay Issue earliest documented usages, collection of nine different comprising 159-6-17-2 (6/9/1871), 170-7-23-2 (170-7-23-2), U82 (10/24/1870), 184-7-23-2 (2/18/1871), 186-7-26-2 (3/6/1873), 185-7-25-2 (10/10/1870), 194A-7-25-R-2 (7/11/1871), 196-7-25-2 (11/22/1870), and 203 (2/4/1871); also includes 1870 P.O. Dept. card with issue date and description of the envelopes, last missing stamp, each with 2003-2005 A.P.S. certificate; Fine and scarce assemblage.
Estimate $500 - 750
View details
Lot 104

Envelope, 1876, 3¢ red (U218), UPSS (644-7-39-1), entire cancelled by "Centennial Phila'da Pa. Jun 10" duplex datestamp and addressed to New York City, reverse with partial New York (6.12) arrival; partial flap and small edge tear, Fine, the earliest documented usage of the red entire with a Centennial postmark.
Estimate $400 - 600

Expertization: 2004 A.P.S. Certificate.

The Centennial postmark was used only in 1876 during the Exposition in Philadelphia. There is an example dated June 4, 1876 with Jarrett & Palmer's Special Fast Trans-Continental Train machine postmark that was last offered at a 1970 R.A. Siegel auction that is the earliest documented example of a 2¢ red envelope, but the watermark is not recorded.

Illustrated in Ken Lawrence's, "Commemorating the 1876 United States centennial," Scott Stamp Monthly, March 2005, pp. 24, fig. 5.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 105

Envelope, 1876, 3¢ green (U219), entire cancelled by "Centennial Phila'da Pa. May 19" duplex datestamp and addressed to Gernmany, additional orange Philadelphia exchange datestamp and circle of wedges cancellations tie 2¢ vermilion (178) for the 5¢ UPU rate, German arrival backstamp; faults including piece of back removed; also includes UPSS 644-7-30-3) entire front cancelled by "Centennial Phila'da Pa. May 25" duplex datestamp, the earliest documented date for this UPSS var., with Centennial typewriter address to Utica N.Y., Fine.
Estimate $1,000 - 1,500

THE EARLIEST DOCUMENTED USAGES OF THE CENTENNIAL ENVELOPE ISSUE.

Expertization: 2003 & 2005 A.P.S. Certificates (respectively).

Both examples offered in this lot are discussed in Ken Lawrence's article. The May 25 date was reported by Ellis and Maisel many years ago as the earliest green envelope use. It is still the earliest with watermark 3, the May 19 is the earliest with watermark 2. The May 19 use is also the earliest Centennial entire to a destination abroad.

Illustrated (May 19) in Ken Lawrence's, "Commemorating the 1876 United States centennial," Scott Stamp Monthly, March 2005, pp. 23, fig. 4.

View details and enlarged photo
Lot 106
 
Envelopes, 1874-86 Plimpton Issue, 43 different EDUs, collection of 43 different entires and wrappers comprising ten 1¢, fourteen 2¢, fifteen 3¢, one 6¢, and three 10¢, all are the earliest documented usages for either the Scott number or UPSS varieties, a range of usages can be found including circulars domestic and abroad, registered uses, etc., each with 2003-2005 A.P.S. certificate; Fine and rare assemblage.
Estimate $1,500 - 2,000
View details
Lot 107
 
Envelopes, 1883-86 Plimpton, 69 different EDUs, collection of 69 different entires and wrappers comprising sixty-five 2¢ and four 4¢, all are the earliest documented usages for either the Scott number or UPSS varieties, a range of usages can be found including circulars used domestically and abroad to better destinations like Uruguay, registered uses, Wells Fargo, etc., each with recent A.P.S. certificate; Very Fine and rare assemblage.
Estimate $2,000 - 2,500
View details
Lot 108
 
Envelopes, 1887-94 Plimpton and Morgan, 60 different EDUs, collection of 60 different entires and wrappers comprising eleven 1¢, thirty-three 2¢, seven 4¢ and nine 5¢, all are the earliest documented usages for either the Scott number or UPSS varieties, a range of usages can be found including circulars used domestically and abroad, some better destinations include Uruguay, Wells Fargo, etc., each with recent A.P.S. certificate; Very Fine and rare assemblage.
Estimate $2,000 - 2,500
View details
Lot 109
 
Envelopes, 1893 Columbian Issue, 29 different EDUs, collection of 29 all different entires in various sizes and denominations comprising nine 1¢, thirteen 2¢, five 3¢ and two 10¢ entires, includes a number of different usages including 1¢ entire to Brazil, registered usages to Germany with various Columbian stamps, etc., each with recent A.P.S. certificate; Very Fine, a superb offering of this popular stationery issue.
Estimate $1,500 - 2,000

The 1893 World's Columbian Exposition series of commorative stamps was supplemented by an issue of postal stationery. Four denominations were prepared but were not released until after the stamp issue. According to Maisel, the issue was released on March 18, 1893. March usages are highly valued by collectors, the consignor has searched over 40 years and has only four examples in his collection including a March 20 use from New York City that may in fact be the first day of release.

View details
Lot 110
 
Envelopes, 1899 Plimpton and Morgan, 36 different EDUs, collection of 36 different entires and wrappers comprising seven 1¢, twenty-three 2¢, three 4¢ and three 5¢, all are the earliest documented usages for either the Scott number or UPSS varieties, range of sizes including 4¢ U371 and U375 in size 25, a range of usages can be found including circulars used domestically and abroad, some better destinations include Greece, etc., few small faults, each with recent A.P.S. certificate; Very Fine and rare assemblage.
Estimate $1,000 - 1,500
View details
Lot 111

Envelope, 1932, 2¢ Washington Bicentennial, die 2 (U525a), cancelled by "Easton Pa. May 17 1932" machine cancellation, addressed to Jersey City N.J., Lafayette College Centennial cachet, Very Fine, the earliest documented usage of the scarce die 2 Bicentennial entire.
Estimate $150 - 200

Expertization: 2002 A.P.S Certificate.
View details and enlarged photo
Lot 112
 
Miscellanous balance of 11 EDUs, comprising UO2, UPSS #PD19-7-29-2 (?/29/1875), PD20-7-30-2 (1/14/1878), WD94-7-31-5 (5/31/1884), WD92-7-30-2 (11/3/1878) and OM2-23-106-16 (7/29/1912), few faults, all with recent A.P.S. certificates, Fine; U409 (9/3/1907), UPSS 1767-10-57-17 (1/5/1912), 3696a-23-115-50 (10/24/1987), and UC6 25-13-78-39 (8/5/1944), all with recent A.P.S. certificates, Very Fine; 1898 $3 Documentary (R174) on a sight draft; and a 1962 10¢ Documentary (R733) on a FDC with 4¢ worth of postage dues paying the postage; a useful group.
Estimate $500 - 750

Expertization: all with Certificates.

Provenance: Salkind
View details