A VERY FINE CLARK & HALL PENNY POST STAMP GENUINELY USED ON COVER. ONLY FIVE EXAMPLES OF THIS STAMP ARE RECORDED, EACH USED ON COVER. ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF AMERICAN LOCAL POSTS.
William J. Clark and Charles F. Hall advertised the opening of their "City Express and Penny Post" in the Feb. 13, 1851, edition of The Missouri Republican. Clark and Hall timed their opening to capture a share of the lucrative Valentine market. The first announcement noted that stamps were available for one cent each.
The five covers with 49L1 are recorded as follows (all 1851 dates): 1) uncancelled, red Feb. 27 datestamp, to Emily Smith, Long Island N.Y., the cover offered here, ex Ferrary, Lilly, Hall, Kuphal and Geisler; 2) uncancelled, red Apr. 23 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker; 3) uncancelled, red May 29 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker, Golden; 4) uncancelled, red Jul. 20 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker; and 5) cancelled by three ms. X's on Valentine cover to Eliza Pettus, local street address, Feb. 14, 1851 enclosure, discovered in 1924 by Morris Pettus. No stamps off cover are known.
This cover was discovered by the family of T. H. Sanford and sold to C. H. Mekeel in September 1904. A copy of the original affidavit (in our files) accompanies the lot. In 1966 at a presentation before the Royal Philatelic Society of London, John R. Boker Jr. referred to this cover (ex Ferrary), stating that it had been "institutionalized" and "lost to collectors." He was evidently unaware that Lilly owned the cover. The Halls acquired it in the 1967 Lilly sale held by this firm.
Ex Ferrary, Lilly, Hall, Kuphal and Geisler. With 2009 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $19,000.00
A VERY FINE CLARK & HALL PENNY POST STAMP GENUINELY USED ON COVER. ONLY FIVE EXAMPLES OF THIS STAMP ARE RECORDED, EACH USED ON COVER. ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF AMERICAN LOCAL POSTS.
William J. Clark and Charles F. Hall advertised the opening of their "City Express and Penny Post" in the Feb. 13, 1851, edition of The Missouri Republican. Clark and Hall timed their opening to capture a share of the lucrative Valentine market. The first announcement noted that stamps were available for one cent each.
The five covers with 49L1 are recorded as follows (all 1851 dates): 1) uncancelled, red Feb. 27 datestamp, to Emily Smith, Long Island N.Y., the cover offered here, ex Ferrary, Lilly, Hall and Kuphal; 2) uncancelled, red Apr. 23 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker; 3) uncancelled, red May 29 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker, Golden (Siegel Sale 817, lot 980, realized $15,000 hammer); 4) uncancelled, red Jul. 20 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker; and 5) cancelled by three ms. X's on Valentine cover to Eliza Pettus, local street address, Feb. 14, 1851 enclosure, discovered in 1924 by Morris Pettus (last sold Siegel Sale 878, lot 564, realized $10,000 hammer). No stamps off cover are known.
This cover was discovered by the family of T. H. Sanford and sold to C. H. Mekeel in September 1904. A copy of the original affidavit (in our files) accompanies the lot. In 1966 at a presentation before the Royal Philatelic Society of London, John R. Boker Jr. referred to this cover (ex Ferrary), stating that it had been "institutionalized" and "lost to collectors." He was evidently unaware that Lilly owned the cover. The Halls acquired it in the 1967 Lilly sale held by this firm.
Ex Ferrary, Lilly, Hall and Kuphal. Scott Retail $19,000.00
A VERY FINE CLARK & HALL PENNY POST STAMP GENUINELY USED ON COVER. ONLY FIVE EXAMPLES OF THIS STAMP ARE RECORDED, EACH USED ON COVER. ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF AMERICAN LOCAL POSTS.
William J. Clark and Charles F. Hall advertised the opening of their "City Express and Penny Post" in the Feb. 13, 1851, edition of The Missouri Republican. Clark and Hall timed their opening to capture a share of the lucrative Valentine market. The first announcement noted that stamps were available for one cent each.
The five covers with 49L1 are recorded as follows (all 1851 dates): 1) uncancelled, red Feb. 27 datestamp, to Emily Smith, Long Island N.Y., the cover offered here, ex Ferrary, Lilly, Hall (Siegel Sale 830, lot 592, realized $17,500 hammer); 2) uncancelled, red Apr. 23 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker; 3) uncancelled, red May 29 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker, Golden (Siegel Sale 817, lot 980, realized $15,000 hammer); 4) uncancelled, red Jul. 20 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker; and 5) cancelled by three ms. X's on Valentine cover to Eliza Pettus, local street address, Feb. 14, 1851 enclosure, discovered in 1924 by Morris Pettus (last sold Siegel Sale 878, lot 564, realized $10,000 hammer). No stamps off cover are known.
This cover was discovered by the family of T. H. Sanford and sold to C. H. Mekeel in September 1904. A copy of the original affidavit (in our files) accompanies the lot. In 1966 at a presentation before the Royal Philatelic Society of London, John R. Boker Jr. referred to this cover (ex Ferrary), stating that it had been "institutionalized" and "lost to collectors." He was evidently unaware that Lilly owned the cover. The Halls acquired it in the 1967 Lilly sale held by this firm.
Ex Ferrary, Lilly and Hall.
A VERY FINE CLARK & HALL PENNY POST STAMP GENUINELY USED ON COVER. ONLY FIVE EXAMPLES OF THIS STAMP ARE RECORDED, EACH USED ON COVER. ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF AMERICAN LOCAL POSTS.
William J. Clark and Charles F. Hall advertised the opening of their "City Express and Penny Post" in the Feb. 13, 1851, edition of The Missouri Republican. Clark and Hall timed their opening to capture a share of the lucrative Valentine market. The first announcement noted that stamps were available for one cent each.
The five covers with 49L1 are recorded as follows (all 1851 dates): 1) uncancelled, red Feb. 27 datestamp, to Emily Smith, Long Island N.Y., the cover offered here, ex Ferrary, Lilly, Hall (Siegel Sale 830, lot 592, realized $17,500 hammer); 2) uncancelled, red Apr. 23 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker; 3) uncancelled, red May 29 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker, Golden (Siegel Sale 817, lot 980, realized $15,000 hammer); 4) uncancelled, red Jul. 20 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker; and 5) cancelled by three ms. X's on Valentine cover to Eliza Pettus, local street address, Feb. 14, 1851 enclosure, discovered in 1924 by Morris Pettus (last sold Siegel Sale 878, lot 564, realized $10,000 hammer). No stamps off cover are known.
This cover was discovered by the family of T. H. Sanford and sold to C. H. Mekeel in September 1904. A copy of the original affidavit (in our files) accompanies the lot. In 1966 at a presentation before the Royal Philatelic Society of London, John R. Boker Jr. referred to this cover (ex Ferrary), stating that it had been "institutionalized" and "lost to collectors." He was evidently unaware that Lilly owned the cover. The Halls acquired it in the 1967 Lilly sale held by this firm.
Ex Ferrary, Lilly and Hall.
THE EARLIEST AND ONLY RECORDED VALENTINE COVER WITH THE RARE CLARK & HALL PENNY POST STAMP. ONLY FIVE EXAMPLES OF THIS STAMP ARE RECORDED, EACH USED ON COVER. ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF AMERICAN LOCAL POSTS.
William J. Clark and Charles F. Hall advertised the opening of their "City Express and Penny Post" in the Feb. 13, 1851, edition of The Missouri Republican. Clark and Hall timed their opening to capture a share of the lucrative Valentine market. The first announcement noted that stamps were available for one cent each. This cover has special significance as the earliest known usage (possibly a first day of the post) and the only Valentine cover among the five recorded examples.
The five covers with 49L1 are recorded as follows (all 1851 dates): 1) uncancelled, red Feb. 27 datestamp, to Emily Smith, Long Island N.Y., ex Ferrary, Lilly, Hall (realized $17,500); 2) uncancelled, red Apr. 23 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker; 3) uncancelled, red May 29 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker, Golden (realized $15,000); 4) uncancelled, red Jul. 20 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker; and 5) cancelled by three ms. X's on Valentine cover to Eliza Pettus, local street address, Feb. 14, 1851 enclosure, discovered in 1924 by Morris Pettus, the cover offered here. No stamps off cover are known.
This cover was discovered in 1924 among family papers belonging to Morrison Pettus, whose grandfather was William G. Pettus, Secretary of State of Missouri in 1822 when the Grizzly Bears seal of the State was adopted (the basis of the St. Louis "Bears" provisional design). The cover is addressed to Eliza Pettus in care of William G. Pettus. Articles regarding the discovery, including a feature in the New York Times, are included in this lot.
With 2002 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $19,000.00.
THE EARLIEST AND ONLY RECORDED VALENTINE COVER WITH THE RARE CLARK & HALL PENNY POST STAMP. ONLY FIVE EXAMPLES OF THIS STAMP ARE RECORDED, EACH USED ON COVER. ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF AMERICAN LOCAL POSTS.
William J. Clark and Charles F. Hall advertised the opening of their "City Express and Penny Post" in the Feb. 13, 1851, edition of The Missouri Republican. Clark and Hall timed their opening to capture a share of the lucrative Valentine market. The first announcement noted that stamps were available for one cent each. This cover has special significance as the earliest known usage (possibly a first day of the post) and the only Valentine cover among the five recorded examples.
Covers with 49L1 are recorded as follows (all 1851 dates): 1) uncancelled, red Feb. 27 datestamp, to Emily Smith, Long Island N.Y., ex Ferrary, Lilly, Hall (realized $17,500); 2) uncancelled, red Apr. 23 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker; 3) uncancelled, red May 29 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker, Golden (realized $15,000); 4) uncancelled, red Jul. 20 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker; and 5) cancelled by three ms. X's on Valentine cover to Eliza Pettus, local street address, Feb. 14, 1851 enclosure, discovered in 1924 by Morris Pettus, the cover offered here. No stamps off cover are known.
This cover was discovered in 1924 among family papers belonging to Morrison Pettus, whose grandfather was William G. Pettus, Secretary of State of Missouri in 1822 when the Grizzly Bears seal of the State was adopted (the basis of the St. Louis "Bears" provisional design). The cover is addressed to Eliza Pettus in care of William G. Pettus. Articles regarding the discovery, including a feature in the New York Times, are included in this lot.
With 2002 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $19,000.00.
THE EARLIEST AND ONLY RECORDED VALENTINE COVER WITH THE RARE CLARK & HALL PENNY POST STAMP. ONLY FIVE EXAMPLES OF THIS STAMP ARE RECORDED, EACH USED ON COVER. ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF AMERICAN LOCAL POSTS.
William J. Clark and Charles F. Hall advertised the opening of their "City Express and Penny Post" in the Feb. 13, 1851, edition of The Missouri Republican. Clark and Hall timed their opening to capture a share of the lucrative Valentine market. The first announcement noted that stamps were available for one cent each. This cover has special significance as the earliest known usage (possibly a first day of the post) and the only Valentine cover among the five recorded examples.
Covers with 49L1 are recorded as follows (all 1851 dates): 1) uncancelled, red Feb. 27 datestamp, to Emily Smith, Long Island N.Y., ex Ferrary, Lilly, Hall (Siegel Sale 830, lot 592, realized $17,500); 2) uncancelled, red Apr. 23 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker; 3) uncancelled, red May 29 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker, Golden (Siegel Sale 817, lot 980, realized $15,000 hammer); 4) uncancelled, red Jul. 20 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker; and 5) cancelled by three ms. X's on Valentine cover to Eliza Pettus, local street address, Feb. 14, 1851 enclosure, discovered in 1924 by Morris Pettus. No stamps off cover are known.
This cover was discovered in 1924 among family papers belonging to Morrison Pettus, whose grandfather was William G. Pettus, Secretary of State of Missouri in 1822 when the Grizzly Bears seal of the State was adopted (the basis of the St. Louis "Bears" provisional design). The cover is addressed to Eliza Pettus in care of William G. Pettus. Articles regarding the discovery, including a feature in the New York Times, are included in this lot.
A VERY FINE CLARK & HALL PENNY POST STAMP GENUINELY USED ON COVER. ONLY FIVE EXAMPLES OF THIS STAMP ARE RECORDED, EACH USED ON COVER. ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF AMERICAN LOCAL POSTS.
William J. Clark and Charles F. Hall advertised the opening of their "City Express and Penny Post" in the Feb. 13, 1851, edition of The Missouri Republican. Clark and Hall timed their opening to capture a share of the lucrative Valentine market. The first announcement noted that stamps were available for one cent each.
Covers with 49L1 are recorded as follows (in chronological order, all 1851 dates): 1) uncancelled, red Feb. 27 datestamp, to Emily Smith, Long Island N.Y., ex Ferrary, Lilly, the cover offered here; 2) uncancelled, red Apr. 23 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker; 3) uncancelled, red May 29 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker, Golden (realized $15,000 hammer); 4) uncancelled, red Jul. 20 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker; and 5) cancelled by three ms. X's on undated Valentine cover to Eliza Pettus, local street address, discovered in 1924 by Morris Pettus. No stamps off cover are known.
This cover was discovered by the family of T. H. Sanford and sold to C. H. Mekeel in September 1904. A copy of the original affidavit (in our files) accompanies the lot. In 1966 at a presentation before the Royal Philatelic Society of London, John R. Boker Jr. referred to this cover (ex Ferrary), stating that it had been "institutionalized" and "lost to collectors." He was evidently unaware that Lilly owned the cover. The Halls acquired it in the 1967 Lilly sale held by this firm.
Ex Ferrary and Lilly.
A VERY FINE CLARK & HALL PENNY POST STAMP GENUINELY USED ON COVER. ONLY FIVE EXAMPLES OF THIS STAMP ARE RECORDED, EACH USED ON COVER. ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF AMERICAN LOCAL POSTS.
William J. Clark and Charles F. Hall advertised the opening of their "City Express and Penny Post" in the Feb. 13, 1851, edition of The Missouri Republican. Clark and Hall timed their opening to capture a share of the lucrative Valentine market. The first announcement noted that stamps were available for one cent each.
Covers with 49L1 are recorded as follows (in chronological order, all 1851 dates): 1) uncancelled, red Feb. 27 datestamp, to Emily Smith, Long Island N.Y., ex Lilly, reported to be in an institutional collection; 2) uncancelled, red Apr. 23 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker; 3) uncancelled, red May 29 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker; 4) uncancelled, red Jul. 20 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker; and 5) cancelled by three ms. X's on undated Valentine cover to Eliza Pettus, local street address, discovered in 1924 by Morris Pettus. No stamps off cover are known.
The St. Louis City Dispatch was started on Feb. 10, 1851, and its stamps are also extremely rare (see lot 968). As one can see from the above census, were it not for the Smith correspondence, from which four of the five originate, the Clark & Hall stamp might be unique. The post lasted through the end of July 1851, but probably not much longer.
Colson's small "W.H.C." handstamp at lower right. Ex Boker.