Homan's Empire Express, New York N.Y., (unstated value) Black on Yellow (83L1). "Paid" in Roman caps, large margins except repaired at bottom with part of design painted in, added to an 1852 folded letter to a Reverend in Northville Mich. with "New-York 5 Cts Apr. 23" integral-rate circular datestamp drawn in on stamp, there are only five reported examples of this stamp, this is the first Homan's stamp reported (American Journal of Philately, 1892, Vol. 5, p. 520), ex Chapman, Needham, Hall and Geisler, with 2001 P.F. certificate stating the stamp did not originate, listed but unpriced in Scott

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Homan's Empire Express, New York N.Y., (unstated value) Black on Yellow (83L1). "Paid" in Roman caps, large margins except repaired at bottom with part of design painted in, added to an 1852 folded letter to a Reverend in Northville Mich. with "New-York 5 Cts Apr. 23" integral-rate circular datestamp drawn in on stamp, there are only five reported examples of this stamp, this is the first Homan's stamp reported (American Journal of Philately, 1892, Vol. 5, p. 520), ex Chapman, Needham and Hall, with 2001 P.F. certificate stating the stamp did not originate, listed but unpriced in Scott

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Homan's Empire Express, New York N.Y., (unstated value) Black on Yellow (83L1). "Paid" in Roman caps, large margins except repaired at bottom with part of design painted in, cancelled by part of New York circular datestamp, the stamp has been removed from an 1852 folded letter to a Reverend in Northville Mich., "New-York 5 Cts Apr. 23" integral-rate circular datestamp apparently tying stamp, but so extensively retraced in ink that it is impossible to determine if it is genuine

THE REPAIRED STAMP HAS VERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONLY FIVE HOMAN'S EMPIRE EXPRESS ADHESIVES HAVE EVER BEEN REPORTED.

Almost nothing is known about Homan's Empire Express. Its owner is reported to have been Richard S. Homan, listed in the 1850-53 city directories as a clerk at 172 Division Street, then as a partner in a flour business at 219 West Street from 1854 to 1859 (according to Elliott Perry).

The five recorded Homan's Empire Express stamps include one that is of a completely different size and format: it was offered in the Middendorf sale catalogue with an incorrect classification as 83L1, which it is not. The four remaining stamps belong to the 83L1 family, but among them there are three typographically distinct varieties. The four stamps are described here: 1) "Paid" in Roman type without punctuation, uncancelled (described by Sloane as repaired), used on cover with New York Apr. 7 (1852?) datestamp, to St. Augustine Fla., forwarded to Savannah, ex Boker, Sloane ; 2) "Paid" in Roman type without punctuation, first Homan's stamp reported, American Journal of Philately 1892 (Vol. 5, p. 520), affixed to Apr. 23, 1852 cover to a Reverend in Northfield Mich., ex Chapman, Needham, the cover offered here; 3) "Paid" in sans-serif type with comma (unlisted variety of 83L1), uncancelled, used with 3c 1851, tied by New York May 6 datestamp on 1852 folded letter to Boston, ex Chapman, Caspary, Lilly, Golden (unsold); and 4) 83L1a, "Paid" in Roman type with numeral "1" for "I", uncancelled, used on cover front to Larkin Turner, Boston, New York May 8 (1852?) datestamp, ex Lilly, Golden (realized $7,500).

This is the first Homan's stamp reported (American Journal of Philately, 1892, Vol. 5, p. 520). Ex Chapman and, Needham.

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