Lot 224
1954, 2¢ Jefferson, experimental Silkote paper (1033a), top margin block of four, tied by "Westbrook, Maine Dec 17 1954" machine cancellation on cover addressed to F.H. Frost in Portland Me., return address of S. D. Warren, the manufacturer of silkote paper, endorsed "1st Day", Extremely Fine. Includes original background letter from F.H. Frost and a stock certificate of S.D. Warren.
Estimate 20,000 - 30,000
ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED 2¢ JEFFERSON EXPERIMENTAL SILKOTE PAPER FIRST DAY COVERS, THIS BEING THE ONLY ONE BEARING A BLOCK. A MAJOR 20TH CENTURY FIRST DAY COVER RARITY.
THERE ARE A TOTAL OF EIGHT RECORDED USED IN PERIOD EXAMPLES— THIS BLOCK OF OUR, PLUS TWO PAIRS— MAKING THE 2¢ SILKOTE ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL 20TH CENTURY USED STAMPS.
Silkote paper contained calcium carbonate to help ward off paper aging. In the Fall of 1954, a test of this paper was made by the P.O. Department in which 50,000 copies of the 2¢ Jefferson were printed on Silkote paper. They were placed on sale at the Westbrooke, Maine Post Office on December 17, 1954. F.H. Frost purchased three sheets and posted a "few" first day covers at the Cumberland Mills branch post office. This first day cover was offered for sale in an ad by Frost in the Dec 1969 American Philatelist for only $42 along with mint blocks (copy of article included).
The Linns article mentions that there are three recorded Silkote first days, but actually there are only two, the block of four offered here and a pair used on the first day of issue. There is only one additional usage (non-first day) recorded bearing a Silkote pair. There are no recorded off-cover used examples on Silkote paper.
Featured and illustrated in a front-page September 4, 2000 Linn's article about two Silkote first day covers being found.
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| Realized $13,000 |
