9th Floor
New York, NY 10036
20 Selected Lots, Page 1 of 2
General/Issue
Date
The only recorded example of the 1851 Franklin Carrier General Issue stamp on cover that shows the plate crack--only two other plate crack stamps are in private hands, both off cover and with much less conspicuous cracksDESCRIPTION
(1¢) Dull Blue, Franklin Carrier, Cracked Plate (LO1 variety), Position 19L, deep and well-inked plate crack across entire stamp, large margins except touched at bottom left corner, intense shade and impression, cancelled by Philadelphia red star cancel, one point impressed strongly enough to tie stamp through paper, used on cover addressed to “Mr. Benjamin B. Myrick, Corner of Christian and Church Streets, Philadelphia”, red wax seal and “Recd. Mar. 18, 1852 B.B. Myrick” receipt docketing on back
PROVENANCE
* Alfred F. Lichtenstein, Eugene N. Costales sale, 4/26-27/1950, lot 767, to Elliott Perry on behalf of Gibson
* Henry C. Gibson, Sr. (sold privately)
* Siegel Auction Galleries, 4/27/1990, Sale 723, lot 355, to Golden
* David Golden, Siegel Auction Galleries, 11/15-17/1999, Sale 817, lot 15, to William H. Gross
CENSUS, LITERATURE AND EXHIBITION REFERENCES
* National Philatelic Museum, 1956, Vol. VI, No. 4, p. 482
* Scott R. Trepel, “Carrier Stamps During The 1851 Issue Period,” The 1851 Issue of United States Stamps: A Sesquicentennial Retrospective, p. 198
CERTIFICATION
* The Philatelic Foundation (1999)
CONDITION NOTES
* Extremely Fine stamp and cover
* Henry C. Gibson owner’s backstamp with note “Perry 1950”
VIEW PDF OF HISTORY AND COMMENTARY at https://siegelauctions.com/2018/1188/44.pdf
(1c) Dull Blue, Franklin Carrier (LO1). Two large margins, clear at left and just touched at bottom right, rich color, fine impression, small spot at right, tied by clear strike of red "New York" dateless circle on brown cover to Henry Mathews, Union Hotel, New York City, with original enclosure: a printed invitation to "A COMPLIMENTARY BALL, FOR THE BENEFIT OF WILSEY M'GINNISS, Who was unfortunately run over by Engine 46...", the ball to be held on October 28, 1852, at Hebberd & Mathews' Union Hotel, also enclosed is an admission ticket printed on glazed card (glazing is oxidized), light creasing in cover does not affect stampVERY FINE. ONLY TWO OF THE THREE RECORDED 1851 FRANKLIN CARRIER COVERS FROM NEW YORK CITY ARE AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS. AN IMPORTANT AND HIGHLY EXHIBITABLE RARITY.
Although New York City received the largest number of Franklin Carrier stamps (250,000), they were withheld from use until May 1852, allegedly due to a dispute over "discounting" the sale price (based on Travers papers). Therefore, Franklin Carrier covers from New York City are much rarer than covers from Philadelphia. The Franklin Carrier cover census by Dr. Vernon R. Morris, Jr. (Chronicle 229, February 2011) is the latest and most up-to-date published census. It contains only three Franklin Carrier covers accepted as genuine uses from New York City (two in private hands):
1) Undated buff cover to John J. Latting, 85 Fulton St., tied by red "New York" circle, ex Chase, Miller Collection, The New York Public Library
2) Sep. 15, 1852 folded letter to David Sands, 141 William St., tied by red New York circle, ex Caspary, Middendorf, currently in Mazza collection
3) Oct. 28, 1852 cover to Henry Mathews, Union Hotel, ex Seybold and Golden (Siegel Sale 817, lot 16, realized $25,000 hammer), the cover offered here
The enclosed invitation identifies the addressee, Henry Mathews, as co-proprietor of the Union Hotel at 22nd Street and Third Avenue, where the Complimentary Ball was to be held in memory of Wilsey McGinness, who "was unfortunately run over by Engine 46."
Morris Census No. 17. Ex Seybold and Golden. Signed Bloch. With 2000 P.F. certificate
(1c) Dull Blue, Franklin Carrier (LO1). Large to full margins, deep rich color and proof-like impression, cancelled by Philadelphia red star, used on March 9, 1852 folded letter datelined in Philadelphia to "Messrs. Tatham & Brothers, 8 St. Wharves, Philada", neat receipt docketing on back, vertical file folds well clear of adhesive, stamp with faint toned spot at top left, trivial cover edge tearsEXTREMELY FINE STAMP AND A BEAUTIFUL COVER. ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE FRANKLIN CARRIER COVERS RECORDED IN THE DR. MORRIS CENSUS.
This superb cover shows proper use of the Franklin Carrier stamp in March 1852 to prepay the fee for delivery within city limits by the carrier department, entirely outside of the regular mails. The Dr. Morris census of Franklin Carrier covers contains 17 confirmed examples. Included among the 17 covers are 3 from New York (each tied by the red circular datestamp, one of which is in the New York Public Library), one cover from New Orleans, and 13 covers from Philadelphia (3 tied by blue circular datestamp, 9 cancelled by red star but not tied, and one tied by red star).
Ex Seybold, Gibson and Wall. With 1983 P.F. certificate.
(1c) Dull Blue, Franklin Carrier (LO1). Large margins to barely in at right, deep rich color and proof-like impression, cancelled by Philadelphia red star, used on December 3, 1851 folded letter datelined in Philadelphia to "Tatham & Brothers, South St. Wharf, Phila.", neat receipt docketing on back, horizontal file fold well clear of adhesiveVERY FINE AND BEAUTIFUL COVER. SEVENTEEN FRANKLIN CARRIER COVERS ARE RECORDED, OF WHICH TEN ARE CANCELLED BY THE PHILADELPHIA RED STAR.
This superb cover shows proper use of the Franklin Carrier stamp in December 1851 to prepay the fee for delivery within city limits by the carrier department. The Morris census of Franklin Carrier covers contains 17 confirmed examples. Included among the 17 covers are 3 from New York (each tied by the red circular datestamp, one of which is in the New York Public Library), one cover from New Orleans, and 13 covers from Philadelphia (3 tied by blue circular datestamp, 9 cancelled by red star but not tied, and one tied by red star).
Ex Seybold and Kuphal. With 2009 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail for a cover from Philadelphia $17,500.00
(1c) Dull Blue, Franklin Carrier (LO1). Large margins to barely in at right, deep rich color and proof-like impression, cancelled by Philadelphia red star, used on December 3, 1851 folded letter datelined in Philadelphia to "Tatham & Brothers, South St. Wharf, Phila.", neat receipt docketing on back, horizontal file fold well clear of adhesiveVERY FINE AND BEAUTIFUL COVER. EIGHTEEN FRANKLIN CARRIER COVERS ARE RECORDED, OF WHICH ELEVEN ARE CANCELLED BY THE PHILADELPHIA RED STAR.
This superb cover shows proper use of the Franklin Carrier stamp in December 1851 to prepay the fee for delivery within city limits by the carrier department, entirely outside of the regular mails. The Meyersburg census of Franklin Carrier covers, which has been revised with corrections, contains 18 confirmed examples. Included among the 18 covers are 3 from New York (each tied by the red circular datestamp, one of which is in the New York Public Library), one cover from New Orleans, and 14 covers from Philadelphia (3 tied by blue circular datestamp, 10 cancelled by red star but not tied, and one tied by red star).
Ex Seybold and Kuphal. With copy of 1980 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail for a cover from Philadelphia $17,500.00
(1c) Dull Blue, Franklin Carrier (LO1). Large to full margins, deep rich color and proof-like impression, cancelled by Philadelphia red star, used on March 9, 1852 folded letter datelined in Philadelphia to "Messrs. Tatham & Brothers, 8 St. Wharves, Philada", neat receipt docketing on back, vertical file folds well clear of adhesive, stamp with faint toned spot at top left, trivial cover edge tearsEXTREMELY FINE STAMP AND A BEAUTIFUL COVER. ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE EIGHTEEN FRANKLIN CARRIER COVERS RECORDED IN THE MEYERSBURG CENSUS, OF WHICH ELEVEN ARE CANCELLED BY THE PHILADELPHIA RED STAR.
This superb cover shows proper use of the Franklin Carrier stamp in March 1852 to prepay the fee for delivery within city limits by the carrier department, entirely outside of the regular mails. The Meyersburg census of Franklin Carrier covers, which has been revised with corrections, contains 18 confirmed examples. Included among the 18 covers are 3 from New York (each tied by the red circular datestamp, one of which is in the New York Public Library), one cover from New Orleans, and 14 covers from Philadelphia (3 tied by blue circular datestamp, 10 cancelled by red star but not tied, and one tied by red star).
Ex Seybold and Gibson. With 1983 P.F. certificate.
(1c) Dull Blue, Franklin Carrier (LO1). Large margins to barely in at right, deep rich color and proof-like impression, cancelled by Philadelphia red star, used on December 3, 1851 folded letter datelined in Philadelphia to "Tatham & Brothers, South St. Wharf, Phila.", neat receipt docketing on back, horizontal file fold well clear of adhesiveVERY FINE AND BEAUTIFUL COVER. EIGHTEEN FRANKLIN CARRIER COVERS ARE RECORDED, OF WHICH ELEVEN ARE CANCELLED BY THE PHILADELPHIA RED STAR.
This superb cover shows proper use of the Franklin Carrier stamp in December 1851 to prepay the fee for delivery within city limits by the carrier department, entirely outside of the regular mails. The Meyersburg census of Franklin Carrier covers, which has been revised with corrections, contains 18 confirmed examples. Included among the 18 covers are 3 from New York (each tied by the red circular datestamp, one of which is in the New York Public Library), one cover from New Orleans, and 14 covers from Philadelphia (3 tied by blue circular datestamp, 10 cancelled by red star but not tied, and one tied by red star).
Ex Seybold. With copy of 1980 P.F. certificate.
(1c) Dull Blue, Franklin Carrier, Double Transfer (LO1 var). Strong double transfer in "Stamp", large margins to clear at bottom right, deep rich color and proof-like impression, cancelled by Philadelphia red star, perfectly clear strike of blue "Philadelphia Pa. 5cts Dec. 6" integral-rate circular datestamp on buff cover to New York City street address, vertical crease, small edge tears at top sealed inside with paperVERY FINE COVER. EIGHTEEN FRANKLIN CARRIER COVERS ARE RECORDED, OF WHICH ELEVEN ARE CANCELLED BY THE PHILADELPHIA RED STAR. THIS IS ONE OF TWO EXAMPLES OF THE MAJOR DOUBLE TRANSFER POSITION KNOWN ON COVER.
This cover shows proper use of the Franklin Carrier stamp in December 1851 to prepay the fee for carrier delivery to the post office for the regular mails. The Meyersburg census of Franklin Carrier covers, which has been revised with corrections, contains 18 confirmed examples. Included among the 18 covers are 3 from New York (each tied by the red circular datestamp, one of which is in the New York Public Library), one cover from New Orleans, and 14 covers from Philadelphia (3 tied by blue circular datestamp, 10 cancelled by red star but not tied, and one tied by red star).
The Scott-listed double transfer is found only on this position, in which the bottom label "Stamp" shows noticeable lines from a previous entry. Very few examples are known, and this is one of two recorded covers with the double transfer. The other cover realized $27,000 hammer in our sale of the Donald B. Johnstone collection (Sale 853, lot 2472). In the Johnstone sale catalogue we erred in describing his cover as the only known example of the double transfer on cover, because we relied on others' notes. We should have gone back to the 1956 Caspary sale description of this cover, which clearly describes this stamp as a double transfer variety.
Ex Worthington (with his "Bullfinches" pricing code on back, "2/05 New Eng. BUCIS" in pencil) and Caspary.
(1c) Dull Blue, Franklin Carrier (LO1). Large margins to barely in at right, deep rich color and proof-like impression, cancelled by Philadelphia red star, used on December 3, 1851 folded letter datelined in Philadelphia to "Tatham & Brothers, South St. Wharf, Phila.", neat receipt docketing on back, horizontal file fold well clear of adhesiveVERY FINE AND BEAUTIFUL COVER. EIGHTEEN FRANKLIN CARRIER COVERS ARE RECORDED, OF WHICH ELEVEN ARE CANCELLED BY THE PHILADELPHIA RED STAR.
This superb cover shows proper use of the Franklin Carrier stamp in December 1851 to prepay the fee for delivery within city limits by the carrier department, entirely outside of the regular mails. The Meyersburg census of Franklin Carrier covers, which has been revised with corrections, contains 18 confirmed examples. Included among the 18 covers are 3 from New York (each tied by the red circular datestamp, one of which is in the New York Public Library), one cover from New Orleans, and 14 covers from Philadelphia (3 tied by blue circular datestamp, 10 cancelled by red star but not tied, and one tied by red star).
Ex Seybold. With copy of 1980 P.F. certificate.
(1c) Dull Blue, Franklin Carrier (LO1). Large to full margins, deep rich color and proof-like impression, cancelled by Philadelphia red star, used on March 9, 1852 folded letter datelined in Philadelphia to "Messrs. Tatham & Brothers, 8 St. Wharves, Philada", neat receipt docketing on back, vertical file folds well clear of adhesive, stamp with faint toned spot at top left, trivial cover edge tearsEXTREMELY FINE STAMP AND A BEAUTIFUL COVER. ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE EIGHTEEN FRANKLIN CARRIER COVERS RECORDED IN THE MEYERSBURG CENSUS, OF WHICH ELEVEN ARE CANCELLED BY THE PHILADELPHIA RED STAR.
This superb cover shows proper use of the Franklin Carrier stamp in March 1852 to prepay the fee for delivery within city limits by the carrier department, entirely outside of the regular mails. The Meyersburg census of Franklin Carrier covers, which has been revised with corrections, contains 18 confirmed examples. Included among the 18 covers are 3 from New York (each tied by the red circular datestamp, one of which is in the New York Public Library), one cover from New Orleans, and 14 covers from Philadelphia (3 tied by blue circular datestamp, 10 cancelled by red star but not tied, and one tied by red star).
Ex Seybold and Gibson. With 1983 P.F. certificate. Last offered to the market in our 1983 Rarities sale.
20 Selected Lots , Page 1 of 2
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