Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. Sale

CARRIERS continued...

**6LB4-6LB5**
Lot	Sym.	Lot Description
137		U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Green Unsurfaced (6LB4). Bottom sheet margin and huge margins all around, unused (no gum, as is the other known example), intense impression on distinctive green paper colored thru EXTREMELY FINE GEM. ONE OF TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE UNITED STATES CITY DESPATCH POST STAMP ON GREEN UNSURFACED COLORED-THRU PAPER. ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL CARRIER ISSUES. The unsurfaced colored-thru papers used for the first U.S. City Despatch Post stamps were Rosy Buff (4LB2), Light Blue (4LB3) and Green (4LB4). Approximately ten Rosy Buff stamps are known, all unused and most thinned, which are regarded as trial impressions on paper that was not regularly issued. The Light Blue paper was regularly issued and is the most common of the three (it is known used). The elusive Green paper -- the true 6LB4 -- is evidently genuine, although the Scott Catalogue footnote alludes to "some authorities" claiming it is a color changeling (possibly based on Elliott Perry's negative commentary in his 100 Years Ago, p. 25). Only two examples are recorded, both unused without gum: the Extremely Fine stamp offered here, which was acquired by the Halls from Nassau Stamp Company in 1932, and the ex-Caspary and Lilly stamp, which is also unused and Extremely Fine. These are probably trial-color impressions, similar in status to the Rosy Buff. Unpriced in Scott. This is the first 6LB4 to reach the market in 25 years -- the Boker, Middendorf and Golden collections lacked this stamp. (Image)	E. 5,000-7,500
138		U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Apple Green Glazed (6LB5d var). Position 6L, distinctive "Apple Green" shade of paper, large margins, red "U.S." in frame cancel, tiny pinhole, otherwise Extremely Fine, an extremely rare shade variety of surface-colored paper (unlisted in Scott), ex Caspary (Image)	E. 1,500-2,000
139		U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Pink Glazed (unlisted). Ample even margins, cancelled by red "U.S." in frame, matching "U.S. City Despatch Post Apr. 7, 4 O'Clock" Type I double-line circular datestamp on ca. 1843 front only to New York District Attorney, stamp creased by file fold, oxidation in surface coloring around edges THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE UNITED STATES CITY DESPATCH POST STAMP ON PINK GLAZED PAPER. This unique item can be traced to the 1922 Ferrary and 1924 Waterhouse sales (where acquired by the Halls). It is the only example of the U.S. City Despatch Post carrier stamp on glazed Pink (or Rose) paper. The normal colors were shades of Blue Green, Green and Blue, although one example on straw-colored paper is recorded (Siegel 1995 Rarities sale). Ex Ferrary and Waterhouse. (Image)	E. 2,000-3,000
140		U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Blue Glazed (6LB5b). Positions 8-10/13-15/18-20/23-25L, block of twelve from the lower right corner of the left pane, original gum, full even margins except touched at lower left, beautiful impression on bright blue paper, four creases causing cracks in paper have been reinforced with hinges, small burn hole at lower right rebacked with paper, faint stain in two stamps at upper left VERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS REMARKABLE BLOCK OF TWELVE IS THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE AND ONLY KNOWN BLOCK OF THE UNITED STATES CITY DESPATCH POST CARRIER ISSUE. AN IMPORTANT ARTIFACT OF UNITED STATES PHILATELY. The United States City Despatch Post goverment carrier issues are extremely rare in multiples, either used or unused. The largest multiple of 6LB3 (unsurfaced Light Blue paper) is believed to be an unused pair. There are a few used strips of the glazed surface-colored shades (Blue Green, Green, Blue) -- a strip of five being the largest -- and in unused condition there is at least one pair, one strip of three (lot 141) and this block of twelve, which is the only block extant. Sometime after Ezra D. Cole acquired this block at the 1957 Caspary sale for Josiah K. Lilly, its margins were trimmed slightly, and a small hole was burned through the paper at lower right. Ex Hawkins, Caspary and Lilly (where acquired by the Halls). The Scott Catalogue incorrectly lists an unused strip of three and block of four for the Blue Green shade (6LB5), in fact, the unused strip and this block of twelve are on Blue glazed paper (6LB5b), which was the last paper used for the issue. (Image)	E. 15,000-20,000
141		U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Blue Glazed (6LB5b). Positions 5/10/15R, vertical strip of three from the upper right corner of right pane, original gum, large margins to cut in at bottom, horizontal creases THE SECOND LARGEST UNUSED MULTIPLE OF THE UNITED STATES CITY DESPATCH POST CARRIER STAMP. As noted in the description of the unique block (lot 140), unused multiples of any of the U.S. City Despatch Post government carrier issues are rare. This strip is identical in shade and gum color to the block, and it possibly originated from the upper right corner of the same sheet (the block from the left pane, and the strip from the right pane). Ex Ackerman. This is the unused strip of three listed in error under Scott 6LB5 (Blue Green), in fact, it is on Blue paper, the last used for the issue. (Image)	E. 2,000-3,000
142		U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Blue Green Glazed (6LB5). Huge margins including left sheet margin, red "U.S." in frame cancel, clear impression on bright paper, Extremely Fine Gem (Image)	140.00
143		U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Blue Green Glazed, Double Impression (6LB5a). Lightly struck red "U.S." in frame cancel, small margins and faults, still a presentable example of this rare error, approximately six or seven examples known (Image)	1,500.00
144		U.S. City Despatch Post, N.Y., 3c Black on Green Glazed (6LB5d). Horizontal strip of four and single, Positions 1-4R and 7R, large to huge margins all around, slight creases in top margin, left stamp in strip has tear and crease, scissors-cut in bottom left corner of single, each stamp cancelled by red "U.S." in frame (impression ties thru paper), red "New-York Jun. 16" circular datestamp and matching "Paid" arc on 1843 folded letter to Philadelphia, blue ms. "12-1/2" rate, beneath the stamps is the sender's ms. endorsement "Single Paid" EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. THE SECOND LARGEST MULTIPLE KNOWN ON COVER AND ONE OF EIGHT RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE UNITED STATES CITY DESPATCH POST CARRIER STAMP USED TO PREPAY INTER-CITY POSTAGE. AN OUTSTANDING POSTAL HISTORY ARTIFACT. This cover and seven other similar examples mark the beginning of prepayment of inter-city postage by adhesive stamps in the Western hemisphere. In each case, the United States City Despatch Post stamps prepaid the regular postage and carrier fee for delivery to the New York City post office, where the letters were marked "Paid" in full. Our records contain eight inter-city covers with full prepayment, including one front and one with a stamp missing (listed chronologically by New York postmark date): 1) May 25 datestamp, 1843 folded letter to Henry Morris, Philadelphia, strip of 3 + pair, ex Caspary, Middendorf, Kapiloff, 1995 Rarities sale (realized $37,500), 2) May 30 datestamp (1843), folded cover to F. Packard, Philadelphia, 2 pairs + 1, ex Caspary, Pope, Kapiloff, 1995 Rarities sale (realized $42,500), 3) Jun. 16 datestamp, 1843 folded letter to Henry Morris, Philadelphia, strip of 4 + 1, ex Caspary, the cover offered here, 4) Jul. 5 datestamp, 1843 folded letter to Henry Morris, Philadelphia, strip of 5, ex Caspary, Middendorf (1990 private treaty sale at $30,000), 5) Aug. 23 datestamp, 1843 folded letter to Henry Morris, Philadelphia, 4 singles (1 missing), ex Seybold, offered in this sale as lot 146, 6) Nov. 1 datestamp, 1843 folded letter to Julia Welling, Pleasant Valley N.Y., 5 singles, badly creased, from a recent find, 7) Oct. 18 datestamp (ca. 1844), folded cover to Dr. Wheeler, Athens N.Y., strip of 3 + 1, ex Caspary, offered in this sale as lot 145, and 8) Jun. 13 (ca. 1845), front only to Lewis Riley, Ridgefield Conn., ex Caspary, Middendorf, Kapiloff, 1995 Rarities sale (realized $3,000). The two last covers have stamps on Blue paper (6LB5b) from later printings. The others are Green or Blue Green (1843 printings). Ex Caspary (where acquired by the Halls). (Image)	E. 25,000-35,000
145		U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Blue Glazed (6LB5b). Vertical strip of three and single, Positions 10/15/20L and 12L, strip has huge margins, one stamp creased before use, single has three large margins, in at lower right, scissors-cut at lower left, tied by red "U.S." in frame cancels on folded cover to Athens N.Y., red "New-York Oct. 18" (ca. 1844) circular datestamp and matching "Paid" arc with ms. "12-1/2" rate VERY FINE. ONE OF EIGHT RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE UNITED STATES CITY DESPATCH POST CARRIER STAMP USED TO PREPAY INTER-CITY POSTAGE. ONLY TWO COVERS ARE KNOWN WITH A STRIP OF THREE (TWO OTHERS EXIST WITH LARGER STRIPS), THIS BEING THE ONLY ON-COVER MULTIPLE OF 6LB5b (ON BLUE PAPER). A MAGNIFICENT CARRIER USAGE. The description of lot 144 provides a list of eight recorded covers, including one front and one with a stamp missing, with the United States City Despatch Post carrier issue used to prepay inter-city postage. The strips of five, four and three (two known) on four of these covers represent the largest on-cover multiples. This is the only recorded cover with a multiple of 6LB5b (Blue paper). Ex Caspary (where acquired by the Halls). (Image)	E. 10,000-15,000
146		U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Green Glazed (6LB5d). Four, Positions 2, 8, 9 and 14R, large margins to slightly in, small faults, tied by red "U.S." in frame cancels and red "New-York Aug. 23" circular datestamp, matching "Paid" arc and blue ms. "12-1/2" on 1843 folded letter to Philadelphia, sender's endorsement "paid single", one stamp at the right has fallen off, leaving a blind impression of the "U.S." in frame cancel, Very Fine appearance, an extremely rare example of the United States City Despatch carrier issue used to prepay inter-city postage (eight known -- see lot 144 for census details), ex Seybold (Image)	E. 2,000-3,000
147		U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Blue Green Glazed (6LB5). Position 16R, large to huge margins, cancelled by sharp strike of red "SB" handstamp, which ties by impression thru paper, matching red "New-York Sep. 2" small circular datestamp on ca. 1843 folded cover to Howland & Aspinwall, New York City, no other markings EXTREMELY FINE. THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE "SB" HANDSTAMP, WHICH APPEARS ON THIS INBOUND COVER DELIVERED BY THE UNITED STATES CITY DESPATCH POST CARRIER. Covers to Howland & Aspinwall in New York City, addressed in this hand without a street designation, generally originate from Boston. Covers delivered by the U.S. City Despatch Post usually do not have the New York post office datestamp (the "U.S. City Despatch Post" datestamp and "U.S." in frame are normal cancels). Therefore, assuming the route of this cover was from Boston to New York City, and the post office received it instead of the carrier department, the unique and enigmatic "SB" cancellation may represent a special service. The absence of any rate marking or route marking (such as "Steamboat" or "U.S. Express Mail") leaves the stamp and "SB" cancel as the only expressions of postage paid and service provided. Ex Ackerman. (Image)	E. 1,500-2,000

6LB4-6LB5

Lot

Sym.

Lot Description

137

U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Green Unsurfaced (6LB4). Bottom sheet margin and huge margins all around, unused (no gum, as is the other known example), intense impression on distinctive green paper colored thru

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. ONE OF TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE UNITED STATES CITY DESPATCH POST STAMP ON GREEN UNSURFACED COLORED-THRU PAPER. ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL CARRIER ISSUES.

The unsurfaced colored-thru papers used for the first U.S. City Despatch Post stamps were Rosy Buff (4LB2), Light Blue (4LB3) and Green (4LB4). Approximately ten Rosy Buff stamps are known, all unused and most thinned, which are regarded as trial impressions on paper that was not regularly issued. The Light Blue paper was regularly issued and is the most common of the three (it is known used). The elusive Green paper -- the true 6LB4 -- is evidently genuine, although the Scott Catalogue footnote alludes to "some authorities" claiming it is a color changeling (possibly based on Elliott Perry's negative commentary in his 100 Years Ago, p. 25). Only two examples are recorded, both unused without gum: the Extremely Fine stamp offered here, which was acquired by the Halls from Nassau Stamp Company in 1932, and the ex-Caspary and Lilly stamp, which is also unused and Extremely Fine. These are probably trial-color impressions, similar in status to the Rosy Buff.

Unpriced in Scott. This is the first 6LB4 to reach the market in 25 years -- the Boker, Middendorf and Golden collections lacked this stamp. (Image)

E. 5,000-7,500

138

U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Apple Green Glazed (6LB5d var). Position 6L, distinctive "Apple Green" shade of paper, large margins, red "U.S." in frame cancel, tiny pinhole, otherwise Extremely Fine, an extremely rare shade variety of surface-colored paper (unlisted in Scott), ex Caspary (Image)

E. 1,500-2,000

139

U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Pink Glazed (unlisted). Ample even margins, cancelled by red "U.S." in frame, matching "U.S. City Despatch Post Apr. 7, 4 O'Clock" Type I double-line circular datestamp on ca. 1843 front only to New York District Attorney, stamp creased by file fold, oxidation in surface coloring around edges

THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE UNITED STATES CITY DESPATCH POST STAMP ON PINK GLAZED PAPER.

This unique item can be traced to the 1922 Ferrary and 1924 Waterhouse sales (where acquired by the Halls). It is the only example of the U.S. City Despatch Post carrier stamp on glazed Pink (or Rose) paper. The normal colors were shades of Blue Green, Green and Blue, although one example on straw-colored paper is recorded (Siegel 1995 Rarities sale).

Ex Ferrary and Waterhouse. (Image)

E. 2,000-3,000

140

U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Blue Glazed (6LB5b). Positions 8-10/13-15/18-20/23-25L, block of twelve from the lower right corner of the left pane, original gum, full even margins except touched at lower left, beautiful impression on bright blue paper, four creases causing cracks in paper have been reinforced with hinges, small burn hole at lower right rebacked with paper, faint stain in two stamps at upper left

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS REMARKABLE BLOCK OF TWELVE IS THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE AND ONLY KNOWN BLOCK OF THE UNITED STATES CITY DESPATCH POST CARRIER ISSUE. AN IMPORTANT ARTIFACT OF UNITED STATES PHILATELY.

The United States City Despatch Post goverment carrier issues are extremely rare in multiples, either used or unused. The largest multiple of 6LB3 (unsurfaced Light Blue paper) is believed to be an unused pair. There are a few used strips of the glazed surface-colored shades (Blue Green, Green, Blue) -- a strip of five being the largest -- and in unused condition there is at least one pair, one strip of three (lot 141) and this block of twelve, which is the only block extant. Sometime after Ezra D. Cole acquired this block at the 1957 Caspary sale for Josiah K. Lilly, its margins were trimmed slightly, and a small hole was burned through the paper at lower right.

Ex Hawkins, Caspary and Lilly (where acquired by the Halls). The Scott Catalogue incorrectly lists an unused strip of three and block of four for the Blue Green shade (6LB5), in fact, the unused strip and this block of twelve are on Blue glazed paper (6LB5b), which was the last paper used for the issue. (Image)

E. 15,000-20,000

141

U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Blue Glazed (6LB5b). Positions 5/10/15R, vertical strip of three from the upper right corner of right pane, original gum, large margins to cut in at bottom, horizontal creases

THE SECOND LARGEST UNUSED MULTIPLE OF THE UNITED STATES CITY DESPATCH POST CARRIER STAMP.

As noted in the description of the unique block (lot 140), unused multiples of any of the U.S. City Despatch Post government carrier issues are rare. This strip is identical in shade and gum color to the block, and it possibly originated from the upper right corner of the same sheet (the block from the left pane, and the strip from the right pane).

Ex Ackerman. This is the unused strip of three listed in error under Scott 6LB5 (Blue Green), in fact, it is on Blue paper, the last used for the issue. (Image)

E. 2,000-3,000

142

U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Blue Green Glazed (6LB5). Huge margins including left sheet margin, red "U.S." in frame cancel, clear impression on bright paper, Extremely Fine Gem (Image)

140.00

143

U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Blue Green Glazed, Double Impression (6LB5a). Lightly struck red "U.S." in frame cancel, small margins and faults, still a presentable example of this rare error, approximately six or seven examples known (Image)

1,500.00

144

U.S. City Despatch Post, N.Y., 3c Black on Green Glazed (6LB5d). Horizontal strip of four and single, Positions 1-4R and 7R, large to huge margins all around, slight creases in top margin, left stamp in strip has tear and crease, scissors-cut in bottom left corner of single, each stamp cancelled by red "U.S." in frame (impression ties thru paper), red "New-York Jun. 16" circular datestamp and matching "Paid" arc on 1843 folded letter to Philadelphia, blue ms. "12-1/2" rate, beneath the stamps is the sender's ms. endorsement "Single Paid"

EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. THE SECOND LARGEST MULTIPLE KNOWN ON COVER AND ONE OF EIGHT RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE UNITED STATES CITY DESPATCH POST CARRIER STAMP USED TO PREPAY INTER-CITY POSTAGE. AN OUTSTANDING POSTAL HISTORY ARTIFACT.

This cover and seven other similar examples mark the beginning of prepayment of inter-city postage by adhesive stamps in the Western hemisphere. In each case, the United States City Despatch Post stamps prepaid the regular postage and carrier fee for delivery to the New York City post office, where the letters were marked "Paid" in full.

Our records contain eight inter-city covers with full prepayment, including one front and one with a stamp missing (listed chronologically by New York postmark date): 1) May 25 datestamp, 1843 folded letter to Henry Morris, Philadelphia, strip of 3 + pair, ex Caspary, Middendorf, Kapiloff, 1995 Rarities sale (realized $37,500), 2) May 30 datestamp (1843), folded cover to F. Packard, Philadelphia, 2 pairs + 1, ex Caspary, Pope, Kapiloff, 1995 Rarities sale (realized $42,500), 3) Jun. 16 datestamp, 1843 folded letter to Henry Morris, Philadelphia, strip of 4 + 1, ex Caspary, the cover offered here, 4) Jul. 5 datestamp, 1843 folded letter to Henry Morris, Philadelphia, strip of 5, ex Caspary, Middendorf (1990 private treaty sale at $30,000), 5) Aug. 23 datestamp, 1843 folded letter to Henry Morris, Philadelphia, 4 singles (1 missing), ex Seybold, offered in this sale as lot 146, 6) Nov. 1 datestamp, 1843 folded letter to Julia Welling, Pleasant Valley N.Y., 5 singles, badly creased, from a recent find, 7) Oct. 18 datestamp (ca. 1844), folded cover to Dr. Wheeler, Athens N.Y., strip of 3 + 1, ex Caspary, offered in this sale as lot 145, and 8) Jun. 13 (ca. 1845), front only to Lewis Riley, Ridgefield Conn., ex Caspary, Middendorf, Kapiloff, 1995 Rarities sale (realized $3,000). The two last covers have stamps on Blue paper (6LB5b) from later printings. The others are Green or Blue Green (1843 printings).

Ex Caspary (where acquired by the Halls). (Image)

E. 25,000-35,000

145

U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Blue Glazed (6LB5b). Vertical strip of three and single, Positions 10/15/20L and 12L, strip has huge margins, one stamp creased before use, single has three large margins, in at lower right, scissors-cut at lower left, tied by red "U.S." in frame cancels on folded cover to Athens N.Y., red "New-York Oct. 18" (ca. 1844) circular datestamp and matching "Paid" arc with ms. "12-1/2" rate

VERY FINE. ONE OF EIGHT RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE UNITED STATES CITY DESPATCH POST CARRIER STAMP USED TO PREPAY INTER-CITY POSTAGE. ONLY TWO COVERS ARE KNOWN WITH A STRIP OF THREE (TWO OTHERS EXIST WITH LARGER STRIPS), THIS BEING THE ONLY ON-COVER MULTIPLE OF 6LB5b (ON BLUE PAPER). A MAGNIFICENT CARRIER USAGE.

The description of lot 144 provides a list of eight recorded covers, including one front and one with a stamp missing, with the United States City Despatch Post carrier issue used to prepay inter-city postage. The strips of five, four and three (two known) on four of these covers represent the largest on-cover multiples. This is the only recorded cover with a multiple of 6LB5b (Blue paper).

Ex Caspary (where acquired by the Halls). (Image)

E. 10,000-15,000

146

U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Green Glazed (6LB5d). Four, Positions 2, 8, 9 and 14R, large margins to slightly in, small faults, tied by red "U.S." in frame cancels and red "New-York Aug. 23" circular datestamp, matching "Paid" arc and blue ms. "12-1/2" on 1843 folded letter to Philadelphia, sender's endorsement "paid single", one stamp at the right has fallen off, leaving a blind impression of the "U.S." in frame cancel, Very Fine appearance, an extremely rare example of the United States City Despatch carrier issue used to prepay inter-city postage (eight known -- see lot 144 for census details), ex Seybold (Image)

E. 2,000-3,000

147

U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Blue Green Glazed (6LB5). Position 16R, large to huge margins, cancelled by sharp strike of red "SB" handstamp, which ties by impression thru paper, matching red "New-York Sep. 2" small circular datestamp on ca. 1843 folded cover to Howland & Aspinwall, New York City, no other markings

EXTREMELY FINE. THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE "SB" HANDSTAMP, WHICH APPEARS ON THIS INBOUND COVER DELIVERED BY THE UNITED STATES CITY DESPATCH POST CARRIER.

Covers to Howland & Aspinwall in New York City, addressed in this hand without a street designation, generally originate from Boston. Covers delivered by the U.S. City Despatch Post usually do not have the New York post office datestamp (the "U.S. City Despatch Post" datestamp and "U.S." in frame are normal cancels). Therefore, assuming the route of this cover was from Boston to New York City, and the post office received it instead of the carrier department, the unique and enigmatic "SB" cancellation may represent a special service. The absence of any rate marking or route marking (such as "Steamboat" or "U.S. Express Mail") leaves the stamp and "SB" cancel as the only expressions of postage paid and service provided.

Ex Ackerman. (Image)

E. 1,500-2,000