Sale 316


 
Lot 161



1901, 2¢ Pan-American (295), used with 2¢ carmine (279B) tied by "Buffalo, N.Y. May 1 '01" duplex handstamp on red Pan-American Exposition imprint stationery addressed to Mrs. D.C. Warner in Buffalo N.Y., purple "First letter mailed in the Pan Am Postal Station 8. A.M. (5)/1/1901" endorsement, reverse with "Buffalo May 1 1901" machine cancellation, accompanied by copy of 1952 letter of affidavit from David Warner certifying as the first stamp and cover mailed at the exposition; 2¢ Pan-Am reaffixed, cover reduced into 279B, Fine.
Scott $3,000

A HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT TRUE "FIRST" DAY COVER, BEING THE FIRST PAN-AMERICAN STAMP SOLD AT THE EXPOSITION, THAT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY USED ON THE FIRST LETTER MAILED AT THE EXPOSITION.

Expertization: 1982 AFDCS Certificate.

Provenance: Siskin

This cover was mailed by David C. Warner who was an exposition policeman. The notarized affidavit to his son states in part "I was on my beat when Mr. Heinz, the Superintendent opened the Post-office May 1st, 1901 and he sold me the First Pan-American Commemoration Stamp, which I placed on a letter to your mother as being the first letter mailed in the Pan-American Postal Section on the Pan-American Exposition grounds. The letter was immediately hand-cancelled by Mr. Heinz".

Illustrated in Bomar page 74.
Illustrated in Berkun census, First Days, June 1999, p. 9.


 
Realized $3,250



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