Part III - Locals H-Z continued...
SPECIAL NOTE: Lot Numbers with an "A" preceding them will be offered in three special sessions. Please refer to the Arrangement of the Sale web page for the schedule.
| Lot | Lot Description | ||
| A | 1169 |
 George S. Harris' City
Despatch Post, Philadelphia Pa., (unstated value) Black (79L2). Cut to
shape, uncancelled, used on July 5, 1847 folded letter to 135 South Front
Street, blue "Philadelphia Pa. Jul. 5" circular datestamp with attached "2"
drop rate, the Harris stamp was originally affixed about two millimeters
lower and creased by the filing fold (causing minor faults as well) -- it
was also tied by bleed-thru from writing -- lifted, pressed and reaffixed
on the coverVERY FINE APPEARANCE. THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF 79L2, THE GEORGE S. HARRIS LARGE-CIRCLE STAMP. AN EXTRAORDINARY COVER AND ONE OF THE FEW UNIQUE STAMPS IN AMERICAN PHILATELY. Ownership of this post has been attributed to George S. Harris, a prominent Philadelphia printer. His name appears in city directories for many consecutive years, beginning in 1847 at 119 North 4th Street (corner of 4th and Vine) and also at 330 Vine Street, which Perry believed was in the same building. Calvet M. Hahn, in his Nov.-Dec. 1993 CCP article on Philadelphia locals, noted that two tobacconists, Gilbert Harris and Benjamin Hampton, were both located at 11 North 10th Street (1847 McElroy's directory listing). Based on the common location of Harris and Hampton and the similarities between the two local posts, Hahn speculates that there was a relationship between the Harris and Hampton families, which put George S. Harris and Thomas A. Hampton into the local-post business. This seems reasonable, and we would speculate further that the two may have jointly operated the post at one point. Only one 79L2 stamp is recorded (the 79L1 is also represented by a single recorded cover). The discovery of this cover was reported in the Philatelic Monthly Journal, May 1897, published by Bogert & Durbin of Philadelphia. Credit for the discovery is given to a Mr. Sartori, and the stamp is described as being found on a letter dated July 5, 1847. Ex Caspary and Middendorf. (Image) |
E. 7,500-10,000 |
| 1170 |
 Despatch Post * G. S. Harris
* 2 Cts. Large double-circle handstamp on cover front to local street
address, Fine strike of this rare marking, only a few known (Image) |
E. 300-400 |