Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. Sale

The Gordon N. John Collection of United States Stamps Issued Before July 1, 1845 continued...

**U.S. City Despatch Post, New York, N.Y. continued...**
Lot	Sym.	Lot Description	Est/Cat	Realized
2035		U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Blue Glazed (6LB5b). Large margins, cancelled by red "U.S." in frame (impression ties thru paper) on ca. 1845 folded cover to Portsmouth Va., red "New-York Feb. 25" circular datestamp, blue "25" ms. rate, trivial wear, Very Fine, scarce outbound usage, with 1998 P.F. certificate (as Blue Green) (Image)	E. 500-750	950.00
2036		U.S. City Despatch Post, N.Y., 3c Black on Blue Glazed (6LB5b). Large even margins, deep shade, red "U.S." in frame cancel strongly impressed (ties thru lettersheet), red "New-York May 18" circular datestamp and blue ms. "25" rate on ca. 1845-46 folded cover to Charleston S.C., stamp has a few tiny scratches in enamel, otherwise Extremely Fine, choice and rare use Blue carrier stamp on mail to South Carolina, Scott Retail $750.00 (Image)	E. 750-1,000	750.00
2037		U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Blue Glazed (6LB5b). Large even margins, cancelled by red "U.S." in frame, which ties by impression thru paper, matching "U.S. City Despatch Post Jun. 7, 1 O'Clock" Type II circular datestamp on ca. 1845-46 folded letter to local street address, Very Fine, ex Caspary and Hall, Scott Retail $750.00 (Image)	E. 200-300	425.00
2038		U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Blue Glazed (6LB5b). Large to huge margins, tied by red "U.S." in frame, matching "U.S. City Despatch Post Apr. 10, 1 O'Clock" Type II circular datestamp on ca. 1845-46 folded cover to local street address, Very Fine, ex Brown and Hall, Scott Retail $750.00 (Image)	E. 200-300	500.00
2039		U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Blue Glazed (6LB5). Large to huge margins, deep shade, cancelled by red "U.S." in frame, matching "U.S. City Despatch Post Mar. 25, 9 O'Clock" Type II circular datestamp on ca. 1845-46 folded cover to local street address, Very Fine (Image)	E. 200-300	325.00
2040		U.S. City Despatch Post, N.Y., 3c Black on Blue Glazed (6LB5b). Large margins to just touched, light shade, faults, red "U.S." in frame cancel on 1846 folded letter with local address, sender's endorsement "Paid at the Western Hotel", pencil "3", red "Paid" in arc, red "U.S. City Despatch Post, May 7, 4 O'Clock" Type II circular datestamp, slightly toned, still Fine and rare usage, as noted in lot 2027 the red "Paid" arc and ms. "3" rate are indicative of cash prepayment, and in this case, the endorsement suppors the theory that the writer was a guest at the hotel (Image)	E. 300-400	250.00
2041		U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Blue Glazed (6LB5b). Two locally-addressed covers, each stamp cancelled by red "U.S." in frame, matching circular datestamps, each with 1845 docketing, some toning, otherwise Fine-Very Fine (Image)	E. 300-400	210.00
2042		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, ex Hall (Image)	1,500.00	800.00
2043		U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Yellow Green Unsurfaced (6LB4 var). Full margins all around, faint red cancel or staining, faults including a few pinholes, otherwise Fine, very distinctive and rare colored-thru paper, probably produced concurrently with 6LB2 Rosy Buff, 6LB3 Light Blue and 6LB4 Green (Image)	E. 1,000-1,500	1,800.00
2044		U.S. City Despatch Post, N.Y., 3c Black on Yellow Straw Surface-Colored Glazed Paper (Unlisted, 6LB5 var). Three large margins, cut into bottom, bold red "U.S." in frame cancel, this stamp was discovered by our firm among the pages of a United States collection, it is a genuinely used carrier stamp on paper with yellowish surface coloring, light glazing and a white back, the color differs from the unsurfaced Rosy Buff 6LB2 or the Pink glazed (see Hall lot 139) (Image)	E. 1,000-1,500	1,600.00
2045		U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 2c on 3c Black on Blue Green Glazed, Red Surcharge (6LB7). Large to huge margins, clear overprint and deep paper shade, vertical crease EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF FOUR RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE WORLD'S FIRST GOVERNMENT-ISSUED OVERPRINTED STAMP. A MAJOR RARITY OF TREMENDOUS PHILATELIC SIGNIFICANCE AND APPEAL. The world's first government-issued, overprinted stamp is the 2c on 3c U.S. City Despatch Post carrier issue, Scott 6LB7. It was overprinted in late 1845 or early 1846 to meet the need for a 2c stamp to prepay the carrier fee after the drop-letter rate was modified on July 1, 1845. Only four stamps are recorded, including three genuinely used on covers. To understand why it was necessary to revalue U.S. City Despatch Post stamps from 3c to 2c, it is helpful to look at the effects of the July 1, 1845, postal reform (as per the Act of March 3, 1845). As is well-known to most U.S. stamp collectors, the July 1st reforms created the simplified 5c and 10c postage rates and laid the foundation for adhesive stamps to be used in this country. The postmasters' provisionals appeared first, followed in 1847 by the first General Issue (Scott 1 and 2). However, at the same time inter-city rates were lowered, Congress raised the drop-letter rate from 1c to 2c. A drop letter is one brought to a post office that is not transmitted to another post office. Congress raised the drop-letter rate out of fear that the new postage structure would cause a severe decline in postal revenues. By raising the intra-city rate, Congress hoped to offset some of the anticipated losses. The consequences of this legislation for the U.S. City Despatch Post were immediate and dire. Prior to July 1, 1845, a drop letter could be taken by the carrier to or from the post office for 3c, which included 2c for the carrier department and 1c for the post office (drop postage). Beginning July 1, an extra cent was required for the drop postage, making the total amount equal to 4c. Although other classes of mail were unaffected by the drop-rate increase (including carrier letters that by-passed the main post office), the U.S. City Despatch found itself at a severe disadvantage competing with local posts, who generally charged 2c for a city letter. In the post-July 1 period, not only did Boyd flourish, but many smaller local posts entered the scene, hoping to capture a share of the market for intra-city letter delivery. By November 1846, the U.S. City Despatch Post was closed. Government carrier service would not appear again in New York City until 1849 under Robert Roberts' supervision. The three recorded 6LB7 covers were mailed during the first eight months of the 2c drop-rate period. The covers are listed chronologically as follows: 1) Jan. 9, 1846 (red "New York 2 cts"), stamp cut in and tied by filing crease, addressee's name crossed out, no carrier markings, ex Ferrary, Hind, Waterhouse and Middendorf, 2) Feb. 14, 1846 (red "New-York 2 cts" and red carrier datestamp), stamp tied by filing crease, to Rev. R. S. Cook, Tract House, ex Hunter, Caspary, Boker, Golden and "D.K." (realized $62,500 hammer), and 3) Mar. 2, 1846 (red carrier datestamp), stamp originally affixed on back over folds and torn in half upon opening, to W. A. Sesley, 213 Fulton St., no other markings, ex Caspary. This off-cover stamp was previously affixed to a cover dated Oct. 29 (1845 or 1846), but did not originate (the cover accompanies). The rarity of the 2c on 3c stamp suggests that it was used on a very limited basis, during a period of decline for the U.S. City Despatch Post. By overlaying the "2" overprint on the "2" in the drop-rate datestamp, we have determined that they are identical in size and shape. The overprint was probably made from a modified integral-rate marker and struck by hand on each stamp. Ex Grunin. With 1985 P.F. certificate (Image)	E. 15,000-20,000	15,500.00

U.S. City Despatch Post, New York, N.Y. continued...

Lot

Sym.

Lot Description

Est/Cat

Realized

2035

U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Blue Glazed (6LB5b). Large margins, cancelled by red "U.S." in frame (impression ties thru paper) on ca. 1845 folded cover to Portsmouth Va., red "New-York Feb. 25" circular datestamp, blue "25" ms. rate, trivial wear, Very Fine, scarce outbound usage, with 1998 P.F. certificate (as Blue Green) (Image)

E. 500-750

950.00

2036

U.S. City Despatch Post, N.Y., 3c Black on Blue Glazed (6LB5b). Large even margins, deep shade, red "U.S." in frame cancel strongly impressed (ties thru lettersheet), red "New-York May 18" circular datestamp and blue ms. "25" rate on ca. 1845-46 folded cover to Charleston S.C., stamp has a few tiny scratches in enamel, otherwise Extremely Fine, choice and rare use Blue carrier stamp on mail to South Carolina, Scott Retail $750.00 (Image)

E. 750-1,000

750.00

2037

U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Blue Glazed (6LB5b). Large even margins, cancelled by red "U.S." in frame, which ties by impression thru paper, matching "U.S. City Despatch Post Jun. 7, 1 O'Clock" Type II circular datestamp on ca. 1845-46 folded letter to local street address, Very Fine, ex Caspary and Hall, Scott Retail $750.00 (Image)

E. 200-300

425.00

2038

U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Blue Glazed (6LB5b). Large to huge margins, tied by red "U.S." in frame, matching "U.S. City Despatch Post Apr. 10, 1 O'Clock" Type II circular datestamp on ca. 1845-46 folded cover to local street address, Very Fine, ex Brown and Hall, Scott Retail $750.00 (Image)

E. 200-300

500.00

2039

U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Blue Glazed (6LB5). Large to huge margins, deep shade, cancelled by red "U.S." in frame, matching "U.S. City Despatch Post Mar. 25, 9 O'Clock" Type II circular datestamp on ca. 1845-46 folded cover to local street address, Very Fine (Image)

E. 200-300

325.00

2040

U.S. City Despatch Post, N.Y., 3c Black on Blue Glazed (6LB5b). Large margins to just touched, light shade, faults, red "U.S." in frame cancel on 1846 folded letter with local address, sender's endorsement "Paid at the Western Hotel", pencil "3", red "Paid" in arc, red "U.S. City Despatch Post, May 7, 4 O'Clock" Type II circular datestamp, slightly toned, still Fine and rare usage, as noted in lot 2027 the red "Paid" arc and ms. "3" rate are indicative of cash prepayment, and in this case, the endorsement suppors the theory that the writer was a guest at the hotel (Image)

E. 300-400

250.00

2041

U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Blue Glazed (6LB5b). Two locally-addressed covers, each stamp cancelled by red "U.S." in frame, matching circular datestamps, each with 1845 docketing, some toning, otherwise Fine-Very Fine (Image)

E. 300-400

210.00

2042

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, ex Hall (Image)

1,500.00

800.00

2043

U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Yellow Green Unsurfaced (6LB4 var). Full margins all around, faint red cancel or staining, faults including a few pinholes, otherwise Fine, very distinctive and rare colored-thru paper, probably produced concurrently with 6LB2 Rosy Buff, 6LB3 Light Blue and 6LB4 Green (Image)

E. 1,000-1,500

1,800.00

2044

U.S. City Despatch Post, N.Y., 3c Black on Yellow Straw Surface-Colored Glazed Paper (Unlisted, 6LB5 var). Three large margins, cut into bottom, bold red "U.S." in frame cancel, this stamp was discovered by our firm among the pages of a United States collection, it is a genuinely used carrier stamp on paper with yellowish surface coloring, light glazing and a white back, the color differs from the unsurfaced Rosy Buff 6LB2 or the Pink glazed (see Hall lot 139) (Image)

E. 1,000-1,500

1,600.00

2045

U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 2c on 3c Black on Blue Green Glazed, Red Surcharge (6LB7). Large to huge margins, clear overprint and deep paper shade, vertical crease

EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF FOUR RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE WORLD'S FIRST GOVERNMENT-ISSUED OVERPRINTED STAMP. A MAJOR RARITY OF TREMENDOUS PHILATELIC SIGNIFICANCE AND APPEAL.

The world's first government-issued, overprinted stamp is the 2c on 3c U.S. City Despatch Post carrier issue, Scott 6LB7. It was overprinted in late 1845 or early 1846 to meet the need for a 2c stamp to prepay the carrier fee after the drop-letter rate was modified on July 1, 1845. Only four stamps are recorded, including three genuinely used on covers.

To understand why it was necessary to revalue U.S. City Despatch Post stamps from 3c to 2c, it is helpful to look at the effects of the July 1, 1845, postal reform (as per the Act of March 3, 1845). As is well-known to most U.S. stamp collectors, the July 1st reforms created the simplified 5c and 10c postage rates and laid the foundation for adhesive stamps to be used in this country. The postmasters' provisionals appeared first, followed in 1847 by the first General Issue (Scott 1 and 2). However, at the same time inter-city rates were lowered, Congress raised the drop-letter rate from 1c to 2c. A drop letter is one brought to a post office that is not transmitted to another post office. Congress raised the drop-letter rate out of fear that the new postage structure would cause a severe decline in postal revenues. By raising the intra-city rate, Congress hoped to offset some of the anticipated losses.

The consequences of this legislation for the U.S. City Despatch Post were immediate and dire. Prior to July 1, 1845, a drop letter could be taken by the carrier to or from the post office for 3c, which included 2c for the carrier department and 1c for the post office (drop postage). Beginning July 1, an extra cent was required for the drop postage, making the total amount equal to 4c. Although other classes of mail were unaffected by the drop-rate increase (including carrier letters that by-passed the main post office), the U.S. City Despatch found itself at a severe disadvantage competing with local posts, who generally charged 2c for a city letter. In the post-July 1 period, not only did Boyd flourish, but many smaller local posts entered the scene, hoping to capture a share of the market for intra-city letter delivery. By November 1846, the U.S. City Despatch Post was closed. Government carrier service would not appear again in New York City until 1849 under Robert Roberts' supervision.

The three recorded 6LB7 covers were mailed during the first eight months of the 2c drop-rate period. The covers are listed chronologically as follows: 1) Jan. 9, 1846 (red "New York 2 cts"), stamp cut in and tied by filing crease, addressee's name crossed out, no carrier markings, ex Ferrary, Hind, Waterhouse and Middendorf, 2) Feb. 14, 1846 (red "New-York 2 cts" and red carrier datestamp), stamp tied by filing crease, to Rev. R. S. Cook, Tract House, ex Hunter, Caspary, Boker, Golden and "D.K." (realized $62,500 hammer), and 3) Mar. 2, 1846 (red carrier datestamp), stamp originally affixed on back over folds and torn in half upon opening, to W. A. Sesley, 213 Fulton St., no other markings, ex Caspary. This off-cover stamp was previously affixed to a cover dated Oct. 29 (1845 or 1846), but did not originate (the cover accompanies).

The rarity of the 2c on 3c stamp suggests that it was used on a very limited basis, during a period of decline for the U.S. City Despatch Post. By overlaying the "2" overprint on the "2" in the drop-rate datestamp, we have determined that they are identical in size and shape. The overprint was probably made from a modified integral-rate marker and struck by hand on each stamp.

Ex Grunin. With 1985 P.F. certificate (Image)

E. 15,000-20,000

15,500.00