9th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Sale 1063 — United States Postal History
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 19-20 December, 2013
Category — Local Posts: Adams thru Cummings & Wright
Adams' City Express Post, New York N.Y., 2c Black on Gray (2L4). Irregular margins, large on two sides, into bottom left corner, ms. "X" cancel, tied by black "New-York 5 cts Apr. 12" circular datestamp on buff cover to Willsborough N.Y., blue "Williamsburg N.Y. Apr. 15" circular datestamp, ms. "Missent & ford.", slight creasing and wear around edgesFINE. AN ASTONISHING COVER, ON WHICH THE RARE CITY EXPRESS POST STAMP WITH "ADAMS" DELETED IS TIED BY THE POST OFFICE DATESTAMP.
Of the few covers known with the Adams 2L4 stamp, this is believed to be the only one with the stamp actually tied by a cancellation of any type. In this instance, the New York 5c unpaid rate datestamp was struck over the local stamp.
Ex Needham, Golden and Geisler. With 2000 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $5,500.00
Allen's City Dispatch, Chicago Ill., (unstated value) Black (3L2). Tied by purple "Allen's City Dispatch, 125 Clark Street, Jan. 11, 1883" double-line oval datestamp and Eagle fancy cancel on cover to local street address, cover with small tear at top edge and slight thinning on back, Very Fine, the Allen's City Dispatch Black stamp is extremely rare on cover, only three are recorded in census by Eric J. Karell (this cover is illustrated in The Penny Post, April 2002), ex Geisler, with 2009 P.F. certificate
Allen's City Dispatch, Chicago Ill., (unstated value) Red on Yellow (3L3). Tied by bluish Eagle cancel and matching "Allen's City Dispatch, 125 Clark Street, Feb. 5, 1883" oval datestamp on cover to local street address, reduced -3/4 in. at left, crease and small burned spot clear of stamp, Fine, ex Hall and Geisler
American Express Co., New York N.Y., 2c Black on Green (4L1). Uncancelled, margins mostly clear of ornaments, slightly creased with minor surface disturbances, small tear at bottom, mounted on paper with notation "Ferrary Sale June 18/24"VERY FINE. ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL LOCAL POST STAMPS -- FIVE GENUINE EXAMPLES ARE REPORTED TO 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 same 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). An article by William W. Sammis (Penny Post, April 2005) reports a fifth genuine copy of 4L1.
Ex Ferrary, Schwartz and Kuphal. With 2009 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $9,000.00
Bentley's Dispatch, New York N.Y., (unstated value) Gold (10L2). Clear to ample margins except touched at upper right corner, faint "Paid" cancel and pen stroke, small thin spotFINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTRAORDINARILY RARE STAMP. ONLY FIVE OF THE SIX KNOWN EXAMPLES ARE AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS.
Ex Kane, Boker, Richardson and Golden. With 1999 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $7,500.00
Philadelphia Despatch Post, Philadelphia Pa., 3c Red (15L1). Octagonal margins just slightly into circle, partly clear impression with usual ms. "R & Co" initials, red "Paid" and "3" outline numeral handstamp, used on folded letter with Sep. 18, 1843 Quaker date, addressed to Dr. William Blanding, 5th and Willow Street, interesting contents regarding numismatics -- Blanding was a chemist who manufactured ancient coins as a hobby (two recipes for gold lacquer are attached) -- red "Phila. Despatch Post P.M." circular datestamp, stamp has two negligible creases and faint glue smearVERY FINE. ONE OF FIFTEEN RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE PHILADELPHIA DESPATCH POST RED STAMP. A WONDERFUL "PRIMITIVE" AMONG PHILATELIC RARITIES.
The Philadelphia Despatch Post is documented in an advertisement in the Philadelphia Public Ledger (Dec. 8, 1842) and in an expanded version with some differences (go to www.siegelauctions.com/enc/carriers/robertson.jpg for an image of the revised ad). In the later ad, the stamps are priced at 3c individually, 31c per dozen and $2 per hundred. Valuable-letter registration for 6-1/4c and a 6c rate on letters beyond two miles are quoted (no examples of either special service are known). The firm's address is 93 Chesnut Street, not 83 South Second Street as in the earlier advertisement.
Dr. Vernon R. Morris Jr. has recently published his own comprehensive census, which updates and expands the census previously published by our firm.
Scott Retail $8,500.00
Philadelphia Despatch Post, Philadelphia Pa., 3c Black (15L2). Cut to shape clear of circle almost all around, every letter of "Phila. Despatch Post" unusually well-defined, black "Paid" handstamp struck clearly and "R & Co." ms. control, affixed with wax seal, cancelled by red "3" handstamp on large part of folded cover front only to Mr. Shrack & Co. at local address, datelined "Philadelphia 4/20"VERY FINE. ONE OF ONLY SIX RECORDED COVERS BEARING THE PHILADELPHIA DESPATCH POST CIRCULAR BLACK STAMP.
The Philadelphia Despatch Post is documented in an advertisement in the Philadelphia Public Ledger (Dec. 8, 1842) and in an expanded version with some differences (see Sale 825, p. 293, or go to www.siegelauctions.com/enc/carriers/robertson.jpg for an image of the revised ad). In the later ad, the stamps are priced at 3c individually, 31c per dozen and $2 per hundred. Valuable-letter registration for 6-1/4c and a 6c rate on letters beyond two miles are quoted (no examples of either special service are known). The firm's address is 93 Chesnut Street, not 83 South Second Street as in the earlier advertisement.
Dr. Vernon R. Morris Jr. has recently published his own comprehensive census, which updates and expands the census previously published by our firm.
Ex Gibson, Middendorf and Geisler. This is the stamp illustrated in the Scott U.S. Specialized Catalogue. With 1997 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $15,000.00
Philadelphia Despatch Post, Philadelphia Pa., (3c) Black on Grayish, "R & Co." Initials (15L3). Ample to large margins incl. left sheet margin, touched at top left, tied by ms. "#" cancel on folded cover to local addresseeVERY FINE. A RARE TIED EXAMPLE OF THE ROBERTSON & CO. STRIDING MESSENGER STAMP ON COVER. ISSUED IN 1843, THIS IS THE WORLD'S FIRST PICTORIAL STAMP.
The first Striding Messenger issue (15L3) is very scarce on cover, and only a few tied examples are known.
Ex Geisler. With 2009 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $5,000.00
D. O. Blood & Co., Philadelphia Pa., (2c) Black (15L5). Four blocks of 12 (each a so-called pane), unused (no gum), forming a reconstruction of two-thirds of the original multiple of 72 from which five of the seven recorded blocks were cut (see notes below), margins generally large but just touching on two blocks, faint stains, some minor creases and small faultsVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A BREATHTAKING COMPILATION OF RARE MULTIPLES. WITH THE ADDITION OF TWO MORE PANES OF TWELVE, IT IS POSSIBLE TO PRESENT THE ORIGINAL BLOCK OF 72, WHICH IS BELIEVED TO BE THE SIZE OF A COMPLETE SHEET AS PRINTED FOR D. O. BLOOD & CO.
Our records contain five intact panes of twelve, one pane of twelve severed in half and rejoined, and one block of eleven (bottom right stamp removed). We have determined that six of the seven panes come from different clusters of positions on the lithographic stone, each showing distinctive subject alignment and plate flaws. The seventh multiple (the severed pane) is an exact duplicate of one of the six clusters. Blood advertised stamps for sale at the rate of 25c per dozen; therefore, it follows that printed sheets comprised 72 subjects, which could be divided into six units of a dozen stamps for convenient sale.
The four blocks offered here are shown here as separate units and in the composite photo joined together in their original positions in the larger multiple. Assuming the sheet comprised six blocks of twelve (Blood's sale units), the letters A thru F may be used to identify the six distinctive pane arrangements. We offer A, D, E and F in this lot. If a serious philatelist were so inclined, he could acquire units B and C (C was last offered in Shreves Wampler sale) and reconstruct the complete printed sheet of one of the world's first stamps. Few philatelic artifacts would rival such an item.
As identified in the composite photo, the features and pedigrees of the blocks are: Position A) plate flaw at lower right of second stamp/third row, ex Schwartz; Position D) ex Hall; Position E) squeezed cliche and missing imprint on second stamp/third row, ex Gibson and Golden; and Position F) plate flaw at left of first stamp/second row, with 1998 P.F. certificate.
Regarding the other three recorded panes and their relationship to the 72-stamp multiple, one pane is intact and comes from Position C; its bottom margin aligns with the top of Position F in this lot. The severed pane is a duplicate of Position A and therefore could not have been part of the larger multiple reconstructed here. The pane with one stamp cut out from lower right does not match Positions A, C, D, E or F, and so logically becomes Position B, but its margins do not align with the multiples offered here, and therefore it must come from another sheet. Because all are creased horizontally between the second and third rows, we believe that the seven panes (possibly more and definitely from two sheets) were divided and folded when they were stored and discovered. The staining in the same relative positions on the panes also indicates that they were stacked together when the staining occurred. There is no written record of their discovery to confirm our speculations.
Ex Gordon N. John. Scott Retail $22,000.00
D. O. Blood & Co., Philadelphia Pa., (2c) Black (15L5). Large margins, unobtrusive black cancel on folded printed meeting notice for Philadelphia Rail Road Co. dated July 13, 1847, light vertical file fold well away from stamp, fresh and Very Fine, ex Gibson and Hill, with 2008 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail $800.00 as not tied with certificate
D. O. Blood & Co., Philadelphia Pa., (2c) Black (15L5). Full to large margins, tied by impression of small dots cancel thru paper on blue folded cover to local street address, docketed June 21, 1847, left side panel removed, still Very Fine, ex Sheriff, with 1979 P.F. certificate
D. O. Blood & Co., Philadelphia Pa., (1c) Black, "For the Post Office" (15L9). Huge margins all around, tied by blue "Philda Pa. 5 cts. Jun. 3" integral-rate circular datestamp on undated folded letter to Hancock Md., probably 1848, file fold, stamp has small tear in bottom margin and faint natural gum toning, still Extremely Fine, this issue was usually left uncancelled and is rarely seen tied by a marking -- this is one of the finest tied examples extant -- ex Emerson, Hall and D.K. Collection, with 2001 P.F. certificate
D. O. Blood & Co., Philadelphia Pa., (1c) Black, "For the Post Office" (15L9). Huge margins all around, intense impression, uncancelled as usual, used on May 29, 1848 folded letter addressed in blue to New York City, red "5" in circle handstamp applied at New York on mail received from railroad route agent, Extremely Fine, a striking and very scarce cover
Blood's City Despatch, Philadelphia Pa., (1c) 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, Schwartz and D.K. collection, with 2001 P.F. certificate inexplicably declining opinion on origination
Blood's City Despatch, Philadelphia Pa., (1c) Gold on Black Glazed (15L12). Full margins, tied by 4-bar grid cancel on Nov. 6, 1848 folded letter to local street address, P.F. opines that stamp has been lifted and replaced (inaccurately), in our opinion Extremely Fine, the "Paid" stamp is the rarest of the small Blood's issues, this tied example is very unusual, ex Hall, with 2001 P.F. certificate
Blood's City Despatch, Philadelphia Pa., 1c Bronze on Black Glazed (15L13). Complete pane of 24, original gum, ample margins all around, vivid bronze color, small corner crease at bottom right, still Extremely Fine, a rare complete pane with only four or five believed to exist, ex Boker, Lilly, Chapin and Golden, with 1973 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail $1,250.00
Blood's City Despatch, Philadelphia Pa., (1c) Bronze on Lilac (15L14). Acid cancel, used with 3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A), tied together by "Philadelphia Pa. Oct. 3" circular datestamp on buff cover to Bethlehem Pa. with turpentine manufacturer's blue cameo corner card, Blood's circular datestamp at left, some edgewear affects 3c stamp, otherwise Very Fine, a beautiful cover, with 2006 P.F. certificate
Blood's City Despatch, Philadelphia Pa., (1c) Bronze on Lilac (15L14). Large margins all around, acid cancel, tied by "Blood's Penny Post, Apl. 26, 1858, 4-1/2 P.M. Philada." double-circle datestamp, used with 3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26), well-centered, tied by grid cancel, "Philadelphia Pa. Apr. 26" circular datestamp on buff cover to Kennett Square Pa., Extremely Fine, ex Golden and Dr. Morris, with 2000 P.F. certificate
Blood's City Despatch, Philadelphia Pa., (1c) Blue & Pink on Bluish (15L15). Ample margins, acid tied, used with 3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A), cut in and gum stained, tied by faint Philadelphia circular datestamp on illustrated Pennsylvania Railroad map cover to Wilmington Del., "Blood's Despatch Feb. 14, 9 P.M. 1855" circular datestamp, Wilmington backstamp, overall Very Fine cover
Blood's Penny Post, Philadelphia Pa., (1c) Black (15L18). Large margins to clear, tied by red handstamp, used with 3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26), cancelled by grid, "Philadelphia Pa. Dec. 22, 1858" octagonal datestamp on cover to Germantown Pa., Blood's double-circle datestamp, fresh and Very Fine
Blood's Penny Post, Philadelphia Pa., (1c) Black (15L18). Three large margins to just clear at left, red "1" in oval cancel, used with 3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26), rich color, both stamps tied by "Philadelphia Pa. Mar. 1, 1859" octagonal datestamp on cover to Registrar of Wills for Bucks County Pa., Blood's double-circle datestamp, 3c has faint perf toning, otherwise Very Fine, ex Hall and Geisler
Blood's Penny Post, Philadelphia Pa., (1c) Black (15L18). Three huge margins to just in at left, "1" in oval cancel, used with 3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26), corner torn off by sender but not noticeable because year date covers the spot, both stamps tied by "Philadelphia Pa. Aug. 1, 1859" octagonal datestamp on cover to Ridley Pa., ms. "Oakdale P.O. Springfield Pa.", Bloods double-circle datestamp, small stain at bottom right, Fine appearance and unusual, ex Golden and Geisler
Blood's City Despatch, Philadelphia Pa., (1c) Albino Embossed Stamp on Buff entire (15LU1A). Embossing with 28 South 6th Street address at upper right of buff entire to local street address, "Blood's Despatch 28 So. Sixth" handstamp, minor wrinkling and edgewear, faint wax seal stainVERY FINE. ONE OF THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE FIRST BLOOD'S EMBOSSED BUFF ENTIRE, ISSUED SOMETIME IN LATE 1848 AND EARLY 1849.
The Blood's albino-embossed entires were the first envelopes issued by Blood's. With the emergence of this example, there are now three recorded postmarked buff entires, all addressed to Master Leighton Coleman (the others were sold in our Sale 846, lot 2408, and Sale 908, lot 4617). There is one recorded white entire (15LU1).
Ex Kuphal. With 2007 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $4,000.00
Blood's City Despatch, Philadelphia Pa., (1c) Red on White entire (15LU5). Bold "Blood's Despatch, Feb. 13, 10-1/2 A.M. 1856" circular datestamp on small entire to local address, Extremely Fine, used during Valentine season, with 2006 P.F. certificate
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.
Ex Schwartz and Geisler. With 2000 P.F. certificate that describes the "Paid Bouton" pencil notation as "non-contemporary" (an opinion with which we vehemently disagree). Scott Retail $4,500.00
Bouton's City Despatch Post. Red oval handstamp and matching "PAID/BOUTON" two-line handstamp on Feb. 24, 1848 printed circular to local street address, Extremely Fine, ex Knapp
Boyd's City Express, New York N.Y., 2c Black on Yellow Green (20L2). Huge bottom left corner sheet margins, other sides large, late worn impression, red "Free" cancel, matching "Boyd's City Express Post Oct. 3 2 O'C" oval datestamp on 1845 part-printed notice to local street address, Extremely Fine, late use of Boyd's Second Issue, ex Schwartz and Gordon N. John
Boyd's City Express, New York N.Y., 2c Black on Green Glazed (20L7). Large margins, used with 3c Orange Brown, Ty. I (10), slightly overlapping, tied together by "New-York Jan. 12" circular datestamp on small cover to Worcester Mass., 3c with small corner piece out at bottom left, otherwise Very Fine, with 2009 P.F. certificate, unpriced in Scott with No. 10
Boyd's City Express, New York N.Y., 2c Gold on Glazed White (20L9). Right sheet margin single, used with 3c Yellowish Rose Red, Ty. I (11), large margins, both tied by "New-York Feb. 18" circular datestamp on orange cover to Philadelphia, 1c slightly oxidized as usual, also with small crease, still Extremely Fine and as choice as this scarce combination is known, ex Piller, Kuphal and Geisler, with 2009 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail $1,000.00
Boyd's City Express, New York N.Y., 2c Dull Orange (20L13). Enormous margins, tied by "Paid/J.T.B." handstamp, faint "Boyd's City Express Post" oval datestamp on cover to local street address, with enclosed doctor's invoice dated Jan. 1, 1857, Very Fine, the Orange on White stamp was used briefly in 1856-57 and is very scarce on cover
Boyd's City Express, New York N.Y., 2c Black on Green (20L14). Four margins, cork cancel, used with 3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26), tied together by "New-York May 12" circular datestamp on fresh cover to Baltimore, Extremely Fine, ex Piller and Kuphal
Boyd's City Express, New York N.Y., 1c Black on Lilac (20L17). Tied by "Paid" in oval handstamp, used with 3c Rose (65), tied by large segmented cork on yellow cover to Poughkeepsie N.Y., circular datestamp struck off cover, fresh and Very Fine, a pretty cover, ex Geisler, Scott Retail $500.00
Brigg's Despatch, Philadelphia Pa., (2c) Black on Yellow (25L1). Huge bottom margin showing dividing line and adjoining stamp, clear impression on bright yellow paper, usual small ms. "X" cancel, used on folded letter datelined "Philadelphia, Jun. 6, 1848", to Washington D.C., blue "Philada. Pa. 5 cts. Jun. 7" integral-rate circular datestamp partly torn away with top right corner of address panel, the letter is otherwise soundVERY FINE STAMP AND A RARE COVER. ONLY NINE BRIGG'S DESPATCH "HAND & ENVELOPE" STAMPS ARE KNOWN ON ANY COLOR OF PAPER -- THIS STAMP ON DISTINCTLY YELLOW PAPER IS ONE OF SEVEN RECORDED 25L1'S ON COVERS.
Patton's history of Brigg's Despatch follows earlier accounts in attributing ownership to George W. Briggs, who Patton states is listed in Philadelphia city directories as a "currier" (mis-spelling for carrier) from 1841 through 1855. Based on surviving stamps and covers, Brigg's started his post in 1848 and probably closed the business in 1850. His office was located at 61 South 8th Street. Blood's office was located at 48 South 3rd Street in 1848 and moved to 28 South 6th Street in 1849. The similarity in design and issue dates between the Brigg's "Hand & Envelope" and Small "Paid" stamps and Blood's "Dove & Envelope" and Small "Paid" stamps suggests that Brigg's was a small copycat post.
Ex Caspary, Hall and Kuphal. Scott Retail $11,500.00
Browne & Co.'s City Post Office, Cincinnati O., 1c Black (29L1). Full margins to just in, tied on back of lady's cover to Covington Ky. by black "City Post" in circle handstamp, used with 3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A), uncancelled except by traces of blue manuscript offset from "Cincinnati O., 5 Jun. 21" integral-rate circular datestamp, 3c small flaw at upper right not mentioned on accompanying certificate, Very Fine, scarce use with the Brown's stamp tied, with 2013 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail $2,750.00
Browne & Co.'s City Post Office, Cincinnati O., 2c Black (29L2). Usual tight margins just barely in, used with 3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A), both stamps tied together by blue "Cincinnati O. Oct. 26" circular datestamp on brown cover to Mount Pleasant O., a bit worn and wrinkledFINE. THE BROWNE & COMPANY 2-CENT IS A GREAT RARITY ON COVER, ESPECIALLY TIED IN COMBINATION WITH THE 3-CENT 1851 ISSUE.
The 1c stamp, 29L1, was designed with the "Brown & Co." spelling error. The correct spelling, Browne (with an "e"), appears on the 2c stamp and the markings used by the post. If the spurious Cincinnati "Dec. 7" carrier and local covers are disregarded, this is believed to be the only known combination tied in this manner.
Ex Piller and Kuphal. With 1959 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $4,500.00
Browne & Co.'s City Post Office, Cincinnati O., 2c Black (29L2). Margins to just in, uncancelled, used with 3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A), large margins to full incl. part of two adjoining stamps, tied by blue "Cincinnati O. Feb. 12" circular datestamp on large embossed Valentine cover to Covington Ky., minor cover wearVERY FINE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE BROWNE & COMPANY 2-CENT USED ON A VALENTINE WITH THE 3-CENT 1851 ISSUE.
The 1c stamp, 29L1, was designed with the "Brown & Co." spelling error. The correct spelling, Browne (with an "e"), appears on the 2c stamp and the markings used by the post.
With 2013 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $4,500.00
City Dispatch, Philadelphia Pa., 1c Black (41L1). Large margins to just touched, tied by handstamp on buff cover to local address, fresh and Very Fine, with 1996 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail $500.00
(Cummings & Wright) Post Office City Despatch, New York N.Y., 2c Black on Green Glazed (40L2). Cut close or slightly in but evenly all around, bright green enamel color, cancelled by red "Free" in frame (impression ties thru paper) on ca. 1847 folded letter to New Canaan Conn., red "New York Oct. 21" circular datestamp, matching "Paid" arc, missent to New Haven were blue "New Haven Ct. Oct. 22" circular datestamp applied (no charge for redirection), minor stained spots, Fine, the letter content and Oct. 21 postmark date indicate 1847 use of the 2c stamp, which is very close to the end of Cummings & Wright's operation of the Post Office City Despatch, colorful and scarce to-the-mails use
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