(1c) Black, Large Die Essay
on White Bond, Franklin Carrier (LO1E -- Unlisted in Scott). 34 x 42mm,
unfinished die with lathework impinging on white oval and framelines
complete at top and bottom, vertical and horizontal layout lines especially
distinct at rightEXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS AN ORIGINAL 1851 TOPPAN CARPENTER DIE PROOF IN BLACK -- ONE OF TWO KNOWN IN PRIVATE HANDS.
Students currently attribute the design of the Franklin Carrier to E. Pitcher. The vignette was engraved by Joseph Ives Pease after a marble bust by Caffieri. The frame is thought to have been the lathework of Asa Spencer, and the letter was by Henry Earle. At the time of production, Henry Saulnier was the siderographer.
According to Mr. Johnstone's article (Chronicle 122, p. 93), there are three original large die essays in Black. One is contained in the New York Public Library's collection (ex Chase), and another was part of the Brazer reference collection. The ex-Brazer proof and the proof offered here are the only examples available to the public.
Ex Hackett (Image)
(1c) Red, Large Die Essay on
Thin Green Bond, Franklin Carrier (LO1E -- Unlisted in Scott). 62 x
54mm, shows 57 x 50mm die dimensions and traces of additional rosettes at
lower right -- these are characteristics of the original die proofs (as
opposed to later impressions from the Schernikow die) -- diagonal creases
at lower leftVERY FINE. ONE OF TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS RED-ON-GREEN PROOF FROM THE ORIGINAL 1851 TOPPAN CARPENTER DIE.
Ex Brazer (Image)
(1c) Franklin Carrier, Blue
Plate Proof on India, Cracked Plate (LO1P3 var). Positions 19-20L,
horizontal pair with sheet margin and centerline at right, other sides
large, shows prominent plate crack in left pane, thin specks, Very Fine
appearance, listed but unpriced in Scott
(Image)
(1c) Franklin Carrier, Orange
Trial Color Plate Proof on Wove (LO1TC4a). Large to huge margins,
bright color, diagonal crease, otherwise Extremely Fine
(Image)
(1c) Dull Blue, Franklin
Carrier, Double Transfer (LO1 var). From the right pane, part original
gum, large to huge margins, thins and scissors-cut at upper left, faint gum
stains, otherwise Extremely Fine, only a few examples of this major double
transfer are known, listed but unpriced in Scott, value for normal unused
single (Image)
(1c) Dull Blue, Franklin
Carrier (LO1). Unused (no gum), ample margins to slightly cut in, heavy
thins and other small faults, still presentable and rare in genuine unused
condition, with 1987 A.P.S. certificate
(Image)
(1c) Dull Blue, Franklin
Carrier (LO1). Ample margins to slightly in, clear strike of red
"New York" dateless circle, small thin at top left and thin spot at
bottom left, Fine appearance -- information recently gleaned from the
Travers Papers indicates that only 6,800 of the 250,000 Franklin Carrier
stamps delivered to New York City were actually sold (the balance was
returned), examples such as this are rare -- with 1992 P.F. certificate (Image)
(1c) Dull Blue, Franklin
Carrier (LO1). Large to ample margins, clear impression and rich color,
bold red star cancel and part of blue "Philadelphia Pa." circular
datestamp, couple tiny thin specksVERY FINE AND CHOICE APPEARANCE. ONE OF TWO RECORDED FRANKLIN CARRIER STAMPS WITH BOTH THE RED STAR AND BLUE PHILADELPHIA DATESTAMP.
With 1954 P.F. certificate (does not note thin speck). Scott Retail with premium for blue datestamp (Image)
(1c) Dull Blue, Franklin
Carrier (LO1). Huge margins incl. large part of adjoining stamp at top,
red star cancel, repaired along left and lower left with portions of
design painted in, still an acceptable example of this rare used Franklin
Carrier (Image)
(1c) Dull Blue, Franklin
Carrier, Double Transfer (LO1 var). Strong double transfer in "Stamp",
huge margins all around including part of adjoining stamp at right, bright
shade and beautiful early impression, cancelled by Philadelphia red
star, impressed strongly enough to tie stamp thru paper, used on
Schuylkill Navigation Company folded meeting notice dated Jan. 13, 1852, to
William Ashbridge, 321 Arch Street, Philadelphia, neat receipt docketing on
backEXTREMELY FINE GEM STAMP AND PRISTINE COVER. ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE SEVENTEEN FRANKLIN CARRIER COVERS RECORDED IN THE MEYERSBURG CENSUS, OF WHICH TEN ARE CANCELLED BY THE PHILADELPHIA RED STAR. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE DOUBLE TRANSFER POSITION ON COVER.
This superb cover shows proper use of the Franklin Carrier stamp in January 1852 to prepay the fee for delivery within city limits by the carrier department, entirely outside of the regular mails. The Meyersburg census of Franklin Carrier covers, which has been revised with corrections, contains 17 confirmed examples. Included among the 17 covers are 3 from New York (each tied by the red circular datestamp, one of which is in the New York Public Library), one cover from New Orleans, and 13 covers from Philadelphia (3 tied by blue circular datestamp, 9 cancelled by red star but not tied, and one tied by red star). The stamp on this cover has exceptionally large margins, and the cover is fresh and clean. The Scott-listed double transfer is found only on this position, in which the bottom label "Stamp" shows noticeable lines from a previous entry. Very few examples are known, and this is the only recorded cover with the double transfer.
Ex Mason and Hall. With 2001 P.F. certificate. (Image)