Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc.

VERY FINE. ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE SEVEN RECORDED FULL COVERS WITH THE RARE STAMP ISSUED BY JONES' CITY EXPRESS OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

It has been written that Jones' City Express existed from late 1844 through early 1845 (Patton book), but dated covers are known only as early as Jan. 29, 1845, and as late as Aug. 10, 1845. It is supposed that the proprietor was George G. Jones, based on the 1844 Brooklyn directory, listing him as an engraver with residence at Clinton Avenue and Jamaica Road. George G. Jones is listed in later directories as manager of the Metropolitan Errand and Carrier Express Company in New York City (source: Abt notes). Conjunctive usages indicate that Jones linked with Boyd's in Manhattan for local city delivery and with American Letter Mail Co. and Hale & Co. for inter-city service (prior to July 1, 1845).

We record seven covers and two fronts (or pieces) with the 91L1 stamp: 1) uncancelled, used on Feb. 17, 1845 folded letter to John Jay, New York City, red Boyd's oval, ex Caspary, Boker, Lilly, the cover offered here, 2) uncancelled, used on cover to Junins L. Taylor, local addressee, "Paid" straightline, ex Caspary, 3) cut to shape, used with American Letter Mail Co. 5L2 cut to shape (tied), on folded cover to Counsellor Gieloeu (spelling?), Philadelphia, red Am. Letter Mail oval (NYC) and circle (Phila.) handstamps, ex Patton (Robson Lowe sale, Mar. 1, 1973, lot 1604), 4) uncancelled, ms. "Paid" on cover to J.D. & C.S. Pratt, East Chatham, N.Y., ex Boker, 5) uncancelled on Aug. 10, 1845 folded letter to Wm. Danforth, Hartford Conn., red Brooklyn datestamp and "5" rate, Siegel 1995 Rarities sale, 6) described as "Uncancelled on cover pmk. Boyd's Brooklyn City Express. Creased from letter fold and rubbed on face. Rare.", Siegel Sale 164, lot 759, no photo, 7) uncancelled on turned folded cover to Jno. W. Mitchell, New York City, red Brooklyn datestamp and "5" rate, offered as lot 1282 in this sale, 8) part of stamp (torn) on front only to Isaac Wendell, Philadelphia, with red American Letter Mail Co. (Phila.) circle and framed Collect handstamp, offered in this sale as lot 1283, and 9) tied by Hale & Co. oval with Collect box on large piece, Siegel Sale 358, lot 1004.

In terms of condition and the added feature of conjunctive usage with Boyd's, in our opinion the cover offered here is one of the three finest. Approximately six or seven off-cover 91L1 stamps are known.

Signed Sloane. Ex Caspary, Boker and Lilly. (Image)

FINE. ONE OF SEVEN RECORDED FULL COVERS AND AN INTERESTING USE OF JONES' CITY EXPRESS STAMP TO BRING LETTER TO THE BROOKLYN POST OFFICE FOR DELIVERY TO MANHATTAN.

A complete list of the nine 91L1 usages (including two fronts or pieces) is provided in lot 1281. Two Boyd's conjunctive usages indicate an arrangement to have Boyd deliver letters in Manhattan. However, in this case Jones brought the letter to the Brooklyn post office, which delivered it in the regular mails to New York City for 5c. This is the only such usage recorded. (Image)