Roche's City Dispatch, Wilmington Del., (2c) Black on Green Glazed (129L1). Cut to oval shape impinging on frameline, slight crease and three tiny pinholes, uncancelled, used on 1849 folded letter to Beverly Va., greenish blue "Wilmington Del. Nov. 20" circular datestamp and matching "5" rate handstamp, vertical file fold, minor toning

FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE ROCHE'S CITY DISPATCH STAMP. ONLY THIRTEEN EXAMPLES RECORDED, INCLUDING SIX ON COVERS TO WHICH THEY BELONG.

Wilmington city directory and post-office employment records for James L. Roche are provided by Elliott Perry in Pat Paragraphs (reprint, pp. 459-460). This information is also included with a census of 129L1 stamps and covers by Stephen Gronowski in the July 1995 Penny Post. Roche is linked to the Wilmington post office as far back as 1833 by a signed postage receipt. For much of the time between 1845 and 1858 he was a clerk in the post office. He left in 1849 following Zachary Taylor's election, but returned in 1852. During his hiatus from official postal duties, Roche ran a newspaper and periodical room advertised as "one door from the post office" and started the City Dispatch. The six recorded genuine Roche covers are dated from the third-quarter 1849 through the end of 1850. Roche died in 1859.

The Gronowski 1995 census with updated information contains six genuine covers, three of which have rectangular-cut stamps. There are approximately seven off-cover stamps (including two added to covers).

Ex Kuphal and Geisler. With 1997 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $3,500.00

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