Mobile Ala., 2c Black
(58X1). Unused (no gum), ample to large margins, insignificant small
thins (typical of this thin paper), Very Fine appearance, very scarce (Image)
Mobile Ala., 2c Black
(58X1). Clear to large margins, tied on small piece by "Mobile Ala."
double-circle ds, Extremely Fine and choice
(Image)
Mobile Ala., 2c Black
(58X1). Clear to large margins, tiny margin tear at bottom right, tied
by well-struck "Mobile Ala. May 5, 1862" double-circle ds on fresh brown
cover addressed to Mobile, favor endorsement crossed out (sender might have
decided to place letter into mails rather than send it by hand, or it was
carried from another place into Mobile and put into mails), Very Fine, a
remarkably choice example of this very scarce 2c provisional usage, ex
Antrim, Everett (realized $2,900) (Image)
Mobile Ala., 2c Black
(58X1). Three singles (two originally a vertical pair, one of which has
a pre-use crease), tied by "Mobile Ala." double-circle datestamp (1862 year
date) on front portion of wrapper to Pensacola Fla., paying three-times
printed circular rate, piece of wrapper with stamp at left neatly cut out
and rejoined, few erosion spots in address and light bleachingFINE AND OUTSTANDING MULTIPLE FRANKING OF THE RARE 2-CENT MOBILE PROVISIONAL.
Ex Caspary, Moody, Everett (realized $5,000 in 1993) (Image)
Mobile Ala., 5c Blue
(58X2). Large margins incl. part of top sheet margin, dark shade, neat
Mobile cds, Extremely Fine Gem (Image)
Mobile Ala., 5c Blue
(58X2). Vertical pair, gigantic margins all around, bold Mobile cds
cancels, top stamp creased with small tear (reinforced), otherwise
Extremely Fine (Image)
Mobile Ala., 5c Blue
(58X2). Horizontal pair showing razor cut between stamps to
facilitate separation, large margins to just clear at top, tied by
"Mobile Ala. Aug. 27, 1861" double-circle ds on yellow cover to Choctaw
Agency Miss., backflap removed, small tear at upper left, Very Fine, this
razor-cut roulette is also found on a strip of four formerly in the Caspary
collection -- it is the only form of perforation (official or unofficial)
found among the postmasters' provisional stamps
(Image)
Mobile Ala., 5c Blue
(58X2). Horizontal strip of three, huge margins on three sides, just
touching in two places along bottom where close, rich color, tied by two
clear strikes of "Mobile Ala. Aug. 9, 1861" double-circle datestamp on
yellow cover with blue belt-shaped corner card, to John J. Walker, Choctaw
Agency, Miss., very minor repaired edge tears at top, small sealed tear
barely into margin of strip -- neither of these trivial flaws mentioned on
certificate -- otherwise in excellent conditionVERY FINE. THE SECOND LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE OF THE MOBILE PROVISIONAL ON COVER. AN OUTSTANDING FRANKING OF ONE OF THE MOST ELABORATE PICTORIAL STAMPS ISSUED BY A CONFEDERATE POSTMASTER.
The Crown book lists two strips of four and two strips of three. The two strips of four exist in vertical and horizontal form, each on cover. The only strip of three on cover is offered here. There is another strip of three on piece (ex Caspary). Neither we nor a Mobile specialist can find record of the strip of five on cover listed in the Scott Catalogue. If our records are incomplete, we would appreciate a photocopy of the missing item or items.
In our opinion the Mobile provisionals are generally under-appreciated. The allegorical design is unusual among Confederate provisionals -- the only other postmaster's adhesive stamp with a pictorial design was issued at Livingston, Alabama (a similar design, probably by the same printer).
Ex Wulfekuhler and Hill. With 1998 P.F. certificate ("genuinely used on cover") (Image)