Sale 824 — 2000 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 13 May, 2000
Category — Locals (A thru E)
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
378
Adams & Co.'s Express, Cal., 25c Black on Blue (1L1). Unused (no gum), ample to full margins with side imprints mostly complete, very minor thinning, Very Fine appearance, the Adams 25c on Blue paper is a great rarity -- one of the few stamps that eluded David Golden
E. 1,500-2,000
2,100
379
Adams & Co.'s Express, Cal., 50c Black, Cut Square Used as Adhesive (1LU3 variety -- see footnote). Large margins, faint red Adams & Co. Georgetown Cal. oval datestamp, thin spot (deep with some translucency), otherwise Very Fine, only a few examples of the Adams & Co. 50c envelope stamp are recorded in used condition
E. 2,000-3,000
2,200
Back to Top380
American Express Co., New York N.Y., 2c Black on Green (4L1). Uncancelled, margins mostly clear of ornaments, slightly creased with minor surface disturbances, mounted on paper with notation "Ferrary Sale June 18/24"VERY FINE. ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL LOCAL POST STAMPS -- PERHAPS THREE OR FOUR GENUINE EXAMPLES EXIST.
Researchers have argued over the origins of this post, but the best evidence available indicates that it was run briefly in 1856 as American Express Co. (no relation to the well-known firm by the name name) by proprietors Smith and Dobson, and was changed to Smith's City Express Post after Dobson departed. Several excellent forgeries of this stamp exist (the example in the Golden sale is evidently one of the forgeries).
Ex Ferrary.
E. 5,000-7,500
8,000
Back to Top381
Barr's Penny Dispatch, Lancaster Pa., (unstated value) Red (8L1). Ample margins, two small ink dots (cancel?), untied as usual, used on brown cover to Salem N.C., blue "Lancaster Pa. Apr. 29" circular datestamp and "Paid 3" in oval, minor faint water stains, still Very Fine, an extremely rare Pennsylvania local post stamp -- only a few covers are known
E. 2,000-3,000
3,800
Back to Top382
Blood's City Despatch, Philadelphia Pa., (unstated value) Black & Blue (15L10). Vertical pair, original gum, ample margins to just clear at lower right, tiny gum toned spot, otherwise Very Fine, regardless of Scott value ($250.00), the Blue & Black "For the Post Office" bicolored stamp (with "Blood's" background print) is extremely scarce in any form, and this is the only unused multiple we have encountered
E. 1,000-1,500
1,200
Back to Top383
Blood's City Despatch, Philadelphia Pa., (unstated value) Black on Pale Green (15L11). Large side margins, clear at bottom and touched at top, 4-bar grid cancel, used on lady's small embossed cover to local street address, flap opened out to show Blood's advertising label, Very Fine, this stamp is far scarcer on cover than is generally appreciated, ex Caspary
E. 750-1,000
1,600
Back to Top384
TC
Blood's City Despatch, Philadelphia Pa., (1c) Black & Buff Trial Color Proof on Bluish (15L15TC). Block of eight, full margins, fresh and Very Fine, a very rare trial color, with 1975 P.F. certificate
E. 1,000-1,500
600
Back to Top385
Bouton's Manhattan Express, New York N.Y., 2c Black on Pink (17L1). Large margins, gum stain, uncancelled as usual, used on brown cover to local street address, pencil "WB-- Deliver this without fail this day. Dean" and "Paid Bouton" printed in identical pencil, with Mar. 1, 1848, letter enclosure, couple minor stains in coverVERY FINE. ONE OF SEVEN OR EIGHT REPORTED EXAMPLES OF BOUTON'S MANHATTAN EXPRESS STAMP. ONLY FOUR COVERS ARE KNOWN.
The Manhattan Express was operated by William V. Barr as early as October 1845 until sometime soon after Valentine's Day 1847, when Barr sold out to John R. Bouton. The first stamp issued under Bouton's ownership is the 2c on Pink (17L1). Approximately seven or eight examples are known, uncancelled, including four used on covers.
With 2000 P.F. certificate that describes the "Paid Bouton" pencil notation as "non-contemporary" (an opinion with which we disagree).
E. 5,000-7,500
2,800
Back to Top386
Brady & Co., New York N.Y., 1c Red on Yellow (22L1). Large margins on three sides, clear at top, tied on piece by blue "Brady & Co. City Despatch Post, 97 Duane St." oval handstamp, Very Fine and extremely rare example of this local stamp. The original Clark & Co. local post is reported by Sloane to have started in early 1857; it used stamps of the same letter-box design with the "Clark & Co." label. In the summer of 1857, the post was sold to Abner S. Brady, who is known to have had financial trouble maintaining the operation. This information comes from a letter written by Brady, in which he states "I am not making anything yet in the business..." (Aug. 13, 1857 letter quoted by Sloane in Stamps, Mar. 9, 1935). The Brady & Co. post evidently closed sometime after January 6, 1858 (latest cover known).
E. 1,000-1,500
1,700
Back to Top387
Brainard & Co., (5c) Blue (24L2). Cut to shape, magenta ms. "B" cancel (Albany), tied by red framed handstamp on piece with Brainard's red oval and "Paid" straightline, Very Fine, extremely rare
E. 500-750
800
Back to Top388
Brainard & Co., (5c) Blue (24L2). Large to huge margins, ms. "B" cancel (Albany), additional pen line cancel, used on piece, Extremely Fine and rare, signed Sloane
E. 1,000-1,500
1,500
Back to Top389
Brainard & Co., (5c) Black (24L1). Large margins all around, uncancelled, trace of pen at lower left, Extremely Fine, a very rare stamp and seldom found in this condition
E. 750-1,000
1,050
Back to Top390
Broadway Post Office, New York N.Y., (1c) Black (26L2). Two large margins, clear to ample on other sides, red "Paid" straightline cancel, matching strike and "Harriott's Broadway Post office. Cor. Canal St. New-York" oval handstamp on small cover to local street addressVERY FINE. ONE OF THE CHOICEST EXAMPLES OF THE BROADWAY LOCOMOTIVE STAMP KNOWN ON COVER.
With 2000 P.F. certificate.
E. 3,000-4,000
5,500
Back to Top391
Bronson & Forbes' City Express Post, Chicago, (unstated value) Black on Green (27L1). Three enormous margins, touched at right, cancelled by clear strike of "Bronson & Forbes City Express Post" company datestamp, additional strike partly showing at left, the stamp is also cancelled by part of the "Chicago Ill." circular datestamp, small thin spots, Very Fine appearance, one of three or four examples of the Bronson & Forbes stamp with a cancellation (most of the examples on covers are uncancelled)
E. 1,000-1,500
1,700
Back to Top392
California Penny Post Co., San Francisco, 7c Black on 3c Red on Buff Entire (34LU11B). Instructions for mailing and list of towns on back, "Pleasant Springs Cal. Jun. 2" double-line circular datestamp and ms. "X" cancel, to local San Francisco firm, vertical crease, Extremely Fine and very rare
E. 1,000-1,500
0
Back to Top393
G. Carter's Despatch, Philadelphia Pa., 2c Black (36L1). Huge top and bottom margins, large at left and slightly in at right, tied by ms. "X" and also tied by red "New York 10 cts. Feb. 1" integral-rate circular datestamp, red "PHILADA. RAIL ROAD"%$ straightline on 1850 folded cover to Exeter N.H., Extremely Fine and rare usage, brought by Carter's to the railroad route agent, cancelled on arrival in New York City, where it entered the regular mails as an unpaid letter, ex Gibson
E. 1,000-1,500
1,350
Back to Top394
Cheever & Towle, Boston Mass., 2c Blue (37L1). Square-cut margins, full to large on three sides, barely in at bottom, cancelled by ms. "X", used on Oct. 12, 1848 blue folded letter to local street address, Very Fine, extremely rare -- only 21 covers recorded in Stimmell (see Penny Post, Aug. 1991) and many of these have circular-cut stamps
E. 1,000-1,500
1,600
Back to Top395
City Post/P.O./2. Red double-circle clear struck on flap of beautiful white and pink Valentine envelope with Mansell imprint, addressed to 97 Prince Street with pencil "bet Mercer & Greene" directions, love poem enclosed, Extremely Fine, one of the finest of the few recorded examples of this rare marking, believed to have been used briefly by Mead after taking over the U.S. City Despatch Post -- this is probably from the 1847 Valentine season -- ex Perry
E. 1,000-1,500
2,700
Back to Top396
(Mead's) City Despatch Post Office, New York N.Y., 2c Black on Pink Glazed (40L3). Full to large margins, lightly cancelled by red "Free" in frame, small thin spots, minor corner creases, still an Extremely Fine appearing example of this rare stamp, only eleven recorded in our census (all have faults, as best we can determine), some believe that this stamp was issued not by Mead but by his successors, Cummings and Wright
2,000
2,200
Back to Top397
(Coles) City Despatch Post Office, New York N.Y., 2c Black on Grayish, "C" at Left Sideways, Ms. "C" between "Two" and "Cents" (40L5b/c var). A remarkable variety combining characteristics of 40L5b and 40L5c, left "C" entered on plate by hand (sideways) and additional "C" in ms. at bottom, ample even margins, "Paid" straightline cancel and trace of red circle, tiny thin speck, Very Fine appearance, one of two recorded examples of this variety -- the other, also off cover, realized $1,700 hammer in our November 1999 Golden sale
E. 1,000-1,500
1,600
Back to Top398
(Coles) City Despatch Post Office, New York N.Y., 2c Black on Yellow, "C" at Left Sideways (40L8b). A remarkable variety with left "C" entered on the plate by hand (sideways), large margins, faint pencil cancel, barest trace of small crease in lower left marginEXTREMELY FINE. THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE SIDEWAYS "C" VARIETY ON BUFF PAPER (SCOTT 40L8b).
Ex Caspary.
E. 2,000-3,000
4,000
Back to Top399
City Letter Express Mail, Newark N.J., 1c Red (45L1). Cut to heart shape, uncancelled, affixed on back and used with 3c Dull Red (11), large margins to slightly in at top, tied by "Newark N.J. Feb. 26, 1857" circular datestamp on small cover to Binghamton N.Y.VERY FINE. ONLY SEVEN EXAMPLES OF THE NEWARK CITY LETTER EXPRESS ONE-CENT STAMP ARE KNOWN ON COVERS. ONE OF THE RAREST LOCALS.
The Newark Daily Advertiser carried daily advertisements for Peck & Company's City Letter Express from June 12 through September 29, 1856. Augustus L. Peck's partner in the City News Office was R. Jaques, and their office was located at 324 Broad Street. The City Letter Express provided letter delivery to the mails (1c) and within the city (2c). Their competitor, Rogers' Penny Post, only carried letters to the post office. Peck's advertisements also solicited package-express business, which may have been on behalf of the New Jersey Express Company, which had its business in Newark during the same period (reference: Elliott Perry, Pat Paragraphs, reprint, pp. 405-408).
Our records contain just seven examples of the 45L1 stamp on cover, including six dated in late 1856 or this February 1857 cover. The City Letter Express stamps were usually left uncancelled, but three covers have Newark datestamps tying the local. One of the tied examples realized $15,500 hammer in our November 1999 Golden sale.
E. 3,000-4,000
0
Back to Top400
East River Post Office, New York N.Y., (1c) Black on Green Glazed (62L4). Large margins, uncancelled, tied by gum toning thru paper, used on Feb. 9, 1858 folded letter to the Russian Consul at 260 4th Avenue, the writer is looking for work as an engineer or machinist in the "Rusuan Servace" (sic) and gives his address "near Avenue D", someone subsequently added a message regarding the application and forwarded the letter, first address crossed out and pencil "try 7 Broadway" written below, "Burns" below stamp, "U.S. Mail City Delivery/1/Feb. 10" double-circle carrier datestamp with corresponding "U.S. Mail/4 P.M./Delivery" timestamp with pencil "D" above (Station D), second 11 A.M. Station F timestamp, Very Fine, extremely rare use of the East River Post Office stamp on cover -- an unusual combination of local-post and carrier service
E. 2,000-3,000
1,600
Back to Top401
Essex Letter Express, New York N.Y., 2c Black on Red Glazed (65L1). Small but ample margins, uncancelled, used with 3c Dull Red (11), ample margins to touching, tied by double-struck "New-York Mar. 11" (ca. 1856) circular datestamp on buff cover to Springfield Mass., Extremely Fine, appears to be a genuine usage (but cannot be guaranteed) -- Coster's story of the Essex Letter Express basically states that three or four ex-carriers of various city posts joined together in 1856 and issued the Essex Letter Express stamps to the public, then disbanded and kept the proceeds -- if true, it is possible that some mail was carried -- ex Ferrary and Mason, a cover in our November 1999 Golden sale realized $1,700 hammer
E. 1,000-1,500
1,600
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