Sale 1020 — The Frelinghuysen Collection, Part One
Sale Date — Wednesday, 28 March, 2012
Category — Alexandria, District of Columbia (Scott 1X1a)
Alexandria, District of Columbia (or Virginia), 5c Black on Buff, Type II with 39 Ornaments (1X1a). Uncancelled (no gum), cut to circular shape as are all recorded examples of the Alexandria provisional stamp, rosette ornaments are complete or mostly complete, signed on back "L. W. Durbin/July 1879" by Leonidas W. Durbin, the Philadelphia stamp dealer who bought this stamp from the discoverer in July 1879, small "W.H.C." handstamp applied on back by Warren H. Colson, completely sound VERY FINE. ONE OF SIX RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE ALEXANDRIA POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON BUFF PAPER, OF WHICH THREE ARE TYPE I (SCOTT 1X1) AND THREE ARE TYPE II (SCOTT 1X1a). THIS UNCANCELLED STAMP IS THE BASIS OF THE SCOTT CATALOGUE LISTING FOR AN UNUSED ALEXANDRIA PROVISIONAL. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF UNITED STATES PHILATELY AND OFFERED AT AUCTION FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE 1922 FERRARY SALE.
Census No. 1X1a-COV(UNC)-01. Ex Pickett, Durbin (signed on back "L.W. Durbin/ July 1879"), Ferrary and Lapham. Small "W.H.C." backstamp (Warren H. Colson). With 2011 P.F. certificate. Scott values are $100,000.00 for an unused Type II and $200,000.00 for Type I or II on cover.
History of the Alexandria provisional and this cover: http://siegelauctions.com/enc/pdf/Alexandria.pdf
Census of Alexandria provisionals: http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/1X1-1X2/1X1-1X2.pdf
