Lot 150
1856 (Nov. 9) Bethlehem Pa. to Fredericton, New Brunswick, long envelope bearing 5¢ red brown (12) pair with full to enormous margins, tied by blue "Bethlehem Pa. Aug 29" c.d.s, which both contrasts and highlights the resplendent color of the stamps, printed "Howard's Express" corner card, exchanged at Houlton Me. with red "U. States" arced handstamp, reverse with "Woodstock SP 3 1857" transit and "Fredericton SP 5 1857" arrival datestamps; minor edge wear and file creases, Extremely Fine, the 10¢ rate for up to 3,000 miles. Illustrated in Frajola and Mayer, p. 91, fig. 7-6.
Estimate 7,500 - 10,000
Provenance: Waterhouse
Howard's Express was one of the leading package expresses of the era, operating between Philadelphia, New York, and British North America.
The relative rarity and aesthetic appeal of this cover can best be appreciated by the penciled notes of Sir Nicholas Waterhouse on the reverse of the cover, "Nov. 1946. Put in HR's sale where Dr. Backer bought it for £135, but a few days later he exchanged it (plus £65) with me for an 1847 5¢ + 10¢ cover. NW. 8/11/46".
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| Realized $9,500 |
