Cummings' City Post, New York N.Y., 2c Black on Yellow Glazed (55L3). Full to large margins, cancelled by dotted grid (not tied), affixed to (and possibly used on) large illustrated Valentine cover to local street address, red "Cummings' Express, 2 Cts." oval handstamp with locomotive, matching boxed "Paid A.H.C." handstamp, horizontal and vertical folds, some minor wear

VERY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING AND VERY RARE USE OF THE CUMMINGS' CITY POST "LETTER & HEART" STAMP ON A VALENTINE COVER.

Alfred H. Cummings operated Cummings' City Post as early as December 1845 (earliest reported cover) through 1847. Alfred H. Cummings and Robert Wright joined to take over the City Despatch Post Office from Abraham Mead by March 1847. The distinctive stamps picturing Cupid (55L4-55L5) and a letter sealed by a heart (55L1-55L3) tie the post's activities to the Valentine season. All are very scarce.

An identical Valentine cover with the same handwriting (different addressee) and handstamped markings, but without the adhesive stamp, was offered in our sale of the Kuphal collection (Sale 925, lot 1494A). It is unclear if a stamp fell off the other cover, or if one was added to this cover. Offered "as is" (our estimate would otherwise be two or three times greater).

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