U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Green Glazed (6LB5d). Large to huge margins, distinctive Moss Green shade, cancelled by red "U.S." in frame, which ties by impression thru paper, matching "U.S. City Despatch Post Aug. 9, 1 O'Clock" (1843) Type I double-line circular datestamp on folded letter to local street address, stamp has tiny crack in enamel which is normal for this, fresh and Extremely Fine, a scarce use of the Green glazed paper stamp and absolutely wonderful quality, ex Kuphal

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U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Green Glazed (6LB5d). Huge margins all around, small flaw in top margin, cancelled by red "U.S." in frame and tied by matching "New-York Oct. 5" (1843) circular datestamp on folded letter to Hudson N.Y., magenta manuscript "12-1/2" cents rate for 81-150 miles, Very Fine appearance, scarce use of this issue to the post office for outbound mail

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U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Green Glazed (6LB5d). Position 6R, large margins, cancelled by red "U.S." in frame, matching "U.S. City Despatch Post Dec. 21, 1 O'Clock" Type II circular datestamp on 1844 folded letter to local address, slightly soiled vertical file fold well clear of stamp, Very Fine

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U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Green Glazed (6LB5d). Dark Moss Green shade, crease cracks enamel as often seen, tied by red "U.S. City Despatch Post, Feb. 16, O'Clock" Type I double-line circular datestamp on folded cover to city address, 1843 docketing confirms early Glazed paper use in Green shade -- this variation is rare -- also unusual for datestamp to be used as canceling device at this stage, vertical fold with slight toning, otherwise Fine and scarce, ex "Gordon N. John"

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U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Green Glazed (6LB5d). Large margins, cancelled by light strike of red "U.S." in frame, matching partly clear strike of "U.S. City Despatch Post June 20, -- O'Clock" double-line circular datestamp on 1844 folded letter to local street address, file folds clear of stamp, some edge splitting and small piece out of back, otherwise Very Fine

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U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Green Glazed (6LB5d). Large margins all around, rich color, cancelled by red "U.S." in frame, matching "U.S. City Despatch Post Feb. 10, 4 O'Clock" circular datestamp on 1843 folded letter to local street address, some ink staining at left and stamp with small surface rub, otherwise Very Fine, the Green shade was the first of the glazed paper printings

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U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Green Glazed (6LB5d). Large to huge margins, cancelled by red "U.S." in frame, which ties by impression thru paper, matching "U.S. City Despatch Post June 6, 9 O'Clock" Type I double-line circular datestamp on 1843 folded letter to local street address, Extremely Fine, scarce use of Green glazed paper stamp, ex Mason, Ackerman and Hall

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U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Green Glazed (6LB5d). Two horizontal pairs -- originally forming a block from upper left corner of right pane -- and single, all with large margins, trivial flaws and tiny tear at top of single, each stamp cancelled by red "U.S." in frame, middle pair tied by red "Paid" in arc, matching "New-York May 30" (1843) circular datestamp on folded cover to Philadelphia, blue manuscript "12-1/2" rate, beneath the stamps is the manuscript endorsement "Paid/3 cents for City Dispatch/12-1/2 cents for Philadelphia/Paid", the -1/2c difference between rate paid and franking probably made up in coin or disregarded by carrier

VERY FINE COVER. THIS IS THE FINEST OF THE EIGHT RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE UNITED STATES CITY DESPATCH POST CARRIER STAMP USED TO PREPAY INTER-CITY POSTAGE. AN OUTSTANDING POSTAL HISTORY ARTIFACT.

This cover and seven other similar examples mark the beginning of prepayment of inter-city postage by adhesive stamps in the Western hemisphere. In each case, the United States City Despatch Post stamps prepaid the regular postage and carrier fee for delivery to the New York City post office, where the letters were marked "Paid" in full.

Our records contain eight inter-city covers with full prepayment, including one front and one with a stamp missing (listed chronologically by New York postmark date):

1) May 25 datestamp, 1843 folded letter to Henry Morris, Philadelphia, strip of 3 and pair, ex Caspary, Middendorf, Kapiloff, Siegel 1995 Rarities sale

2) May 30 datestamp (1843), folded cover to F. Packard, Philadelphia, 2 pairs and single, the cover offered here, ex Caspary, Pope, Kapiloff and Kuphal (Siegel Sale 925)

3) Jun. 16 datestamp, 1843 folded letter to Henry Morris, Philadelphia, strip of 4 and single, ex Caspary, Hall (Siegel Sale 830), Gordon N. John (Siegel Sale 868)

4) Jul. 5 datestamp, 1843 folded letter to Henry Morris, Philadelphia, strip of 5, ex Caspary, Middendorf

5) Aug. 23 datestamp, 1843 folded letter to Henry Morris, Philadelphia, 4 singles (1 missing), ex Seybold, Hall (Siegel Sale 958)

6) Nov. 1 datestamp, 1843 folded letter to Julia Welling, Pleasant Valley N.Y., 5 singles, badly creased and restored, from a recent find (Siegel Sale 958)

7) Oct. 18 datestamp (1844), folded cover to Dr. Wheeler, Athens N.Y., strip of 4 and single, ex Caspary, Hall, Gordon N. John (Siegel Sale 868)

8) Jun. 13 (ca. 1845), front only to Lewis Riley, Ridgefield Conn., three singles, ex Caspary, Middendorf, Kapiloff, Siegel 1995 Rarities sale

Three of the covers have stamps on Blue paper (6LB5b) from the later printing. The others are Green or Blue Green (1843 printings).

Ex Caspary, Pope, Kapiloff and Kuphal. Signed Stanley B. Ashbrook. With 1985 P.F. certificate

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U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Green Glazed (6LB5d). Large margins, cancelled by light strike of red "U.S." in frame, matching partly clear strike of "U.S. City Despatch Post June 20, -- O'Clock" double-line circular datestamp on 1844 folded letter to local street address, file folds clear of stamp, some edge splitting and small piece out of back, otherwise Very Fine

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U.S. City Despatch Post, New York N.Y., 3c Black on Green Glazed (6LB5d). Position 2R, large margins including part of top sheet margin, bold orange-red "U.S." in frame cancel, matching "U.S. City Despatch Post Aug. 31, 1 O'Clock" Type I double-line circular datestamp on small folded letter (ca. 1843), stamp has negligible corner crease in extreme top right margin, still Extremely Fine and rare use of the early Green Glazed paper, ex White, Knapp and Kapiloff, Scott Retail $900.00 used off cover

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