E. N. Barry Despatch Post, New
York N.Y. Watery grayish black "E. N. Barry's Despatch Post" in large
circle struck on undated blue folded cover addressed in blue to "R. S.
Rowley, 252 Broadway", small tear at top, lightly toned along file
foldONE OF THREE RECORDED COVERS WITH THE RED BARRY'S DESPATCH POST MARKING -- THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE KNOWN IN BLACK.
Edward N. Barry is noted by Elliott Perry (One Hundred Years Ago, p. 63) as a "postman" at 123 Bowery in 1852 and a letter carrier at 12 Thompson Street in 1854. Private correspondence from Perry regarding this cover indicates that there was an Robert S. Rowley practising law at 252 Broadway continuously from 1850 (or earlier) through 1854 (or later). Contemporary source information and actual covers related to Barry are rare. Three covers are reported: the black strike on the cover offered here (ex Hollowbush), five red strikes on a large Valentine (ex Golden, realized $1,900 hammer) and another red strike on a Valentine (Sloane records).
Ex Hollowbush. (Image)