Sale 1063 — United States Postal History
Sale Date — Thursday-Friday, 19-20 December, 2013
Category — Local Posts cont: City Dispatch thru Whittelsey`s, Group Lots
City Dispatch Post, New York N.Y., 2c Red (160L1). Vertical pair, large margins to just touched at top, deep shade, each stamp has a small thin spot and tearVERY FINE APPEARANCE. THE ONLY RECORDED MULTIPLE OF THE RARE CITY DISPATCH STAMP OF NEW YORK CITY.
We estimate that 15-20 examples of 160L1 exist. The only multiple is this unused pair, which probably comes from a larger block reported to have been broken into singles in the early 1900's.
Ex Caspary, Lilly, Middendorf, Golden and D.K. collection. With 2000 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $19,000.00
Clark & Hall's Penny Post, St. Louis Mo., 1c Black on Pink (49L1). Ample to clear margins, uncancelled, used on cover to Miss Emily W. Smith, Setauket, Long Island N.Y., red "St. Louis Mo. 10 Feb. 27" integral-rate circular datestamp, docketed "Feb. 25, 1851, T. H. Sanford" (written in 1904), small tear at upper left corner clear of stamp, which is sound, some waterstains around edges -- typical of this small correspondenceA VERY FINE CLARK & HALL PENNY POST STAMP GENUINELY USED ON COVER. ONLY FIVE EXAMPLES OF THIS STAMP ARE RECORDED, EACH USED ON COVER. ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF AMERICAN LOCAL POSTS.
William J. Clark and Charles F. Hall advertised the opening of their "City Express and Penny Post" in the Feb. 13, 1851, edition of The Missouri Republican. Clark and Hall timed their opening to capture a share of the lucrative Valentine market. The first announcement noted that stamps were available for one cent each.
The five covers with 49L1 are recorded as follows (all 1851 dates): 1) uncancelled, red Feb. 27 datestamp, to Emily Smith, Long Island N.Y., the cover offered here, ex Ferrary, Lilly, Hall, Kuphal and Geisler; 2) uncancelled, red Apr. 23 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker; 3) uncancelled, red May 29 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker, Golden; 4) uncancelled, red Jul. 20 datestamp, to Emily Smith (as above), ex Boker; and 5) cancelled by three ms. X's on Valentine cover to Eliza Pettus, local street address, Feb. 14, 1851 enclosure, discovered in 1924 by Morris Pettus. No stamps off cover are known.
This cover was discovered by the family of T. H. Sanford and sold to C. H. Mekeel in September 1904. A copy of the original affidavit (in our files) accompanies the lot. In 1966 at a presentation before the Royal Philatelic Society of London, John R. Boker Jr. referred to this cover (ex Ferrary), stating that it had been "institutionalized" and "lost to collectors." He was evidently unaware that Lilly owned the cover. The Halls acquired it in the 1967 Lilly sale held by this firm.
Ex Ferrary, Lilly, Hall, Kuphal and Geisler. With 2009 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $19,000.00
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 wearVERY 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).
Davis's Penny Post, Baltimore Md., (1c) Black on Lilac, "Pennq" for "Penny" (57L1a). Type B (Position 2), large margins except touched at right, Davis's red circular handstampVERY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE "PENNQ" SPELLING ERROR, OF WHICH FOUR ARE RECORDED.
Ex Schwartz and D.K. collection. With 2003 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $8,250.00
Dupuy & Schenck, New York N.Y., (1c) Black on Gray (60L2). Large margins to just touching inner frameline, tied by ms. cancel, red "Paid" straightline handstamp on Jul. 9, 1847 folded letter to local street address, Very Fine, a fresh and attractive cover bearing the Dupuy & Schenck Beehive stamp, ex Hall and Geisler, Scott Retail $1,000.00
Eagle City Post, Philadelphia Pa., (2c) Black (61L2). Type B with 46 points, large margins, pen cancelled on folded printed notice for Pennsylvania Rail Road Co. referencing meeting on March 14, 1849, to local address, red "Eagle City Post & Mag. Telegraph Messengering Dep't, Paid, Adams' Express, 80 Chestnut St., And all the Mag. Teleg. Offices" large double-circle handstamp, vertical file fold well away from stamp, Extremely Fine, ex Dr. Morris, with 1999 P.F. certificate
Floyd's Penny Post, Chicago Ill., (1c) Blue (68L1). Large margins incl. top right corner sheet margins, rich color, tied by clear strike of "Floyd's Penny Post Chicago" double-oval handstamp on cover to the Ogden School principal -- J. Kimball, who took over Floyd's Penny Post in 1862 -- Extremely Fine Gem stamp and cover, ex Malcolm, Jarrett, Lake Shore and Senchuk, with 1989 P.F. certificate
Floyd's Penny Post, Chicago Ill., (1c) Blue (68L1). Unused (no gum), large to huge margins, accompanying certificate mentions small horizontal crease and tiny scissors-cut at upper right of top margin, which are so far from design they might as well be on another stamp (could be trimmed off and still leave a massive margin), Extremely Fine Gem, with 2013 P.F. certificate, rare in unused condition and unpriced as such in Scott, this is the first we have offered
Floyd's Penny Post, Chicago Ill., (1c) Brown (68L2). Huge margins all around, rich color, neatly cancelled by Floyd's circular sunburst handstamp, Extremely Fine Gem, very scarce, ex Schwartz and Twigg-Smith, with 2004 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail $1,000.00
Floyd's Penny Post, Chicago Ill., (1c) Green (68L3). Original gum, h.r., large to ample margins, tiny pinholeVERY FINE APPEARANCE. NO MORE THAN A DOZEN EXAMPLES OF FLOYD'S GREEN STAMP ARE KNOWN TO US, AND OF THESE ONLY THREE ARE IN UNUSED ORIGINAL-GUM CONDITION.
John R. Floyd advertised the start of his Penny Post in July 1860. In June 1861, after the outbreak of the Civil War, Floyd sold the firm to Charles W. Mappa, but continued to assist in managing the post for several months before leaving for war in January 1862. Mappa in turn sold out to Kimball & Waterman in May 1862, and the post continued at least until November 1862 and then closed.
The Brown and Blue stamps were the first issued, and the Blue continued to be issued from 1860 through 1862. The Green stamps are known used only in October and November 1862, thus they appear to be the last printing, probably by Kimball & Waterman before the post was closed. The Blue is the most common, and the Brown is extremely scarce. The Green is by far the rarest, with only two recorded covers, six or seven used stamps off cover, and three or four unused stamps (three with original gum) known to us.
With 2000 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $4,500.00
Glen Haven Daily Mail, Glen Haven N.Y., 1c Black on Dark Green, "Gien" for "Glen" (71L1a). Three large to huge margins, two left corner ornaments just touched, uncancelled, fine clear impression showing the "Gien" error variety, used on back of lady's small cover to Burnt Hills N.Y., 3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26) tied by "Scott N.Y. Jan. 29" circular datestamp, with original letter enclosure datelined "Glen Haven Jan. 28th/59", very freshEXTREMELY FINE. ONLY ONE OTHER STAMP WITH THE GLEN HAVEN "GIEN" ERROR IS KNOWN TO US. A FASCINATING AND VERY UNDERRATED RARITY OF AMERICAN LOCAL POSTS.
The Glen Haven Daily Mail differs from most local posts in that it served an area in which there was no post office by bringing mail to neighboring post offices. Beginning in the late 1840's, Glen Haven became a popular health resort and location of water-cure sanitariums. In 1848 Glen Haven also became the site of women's dress reform, led by Amelia Jenks Bloomer, for whom a particular type of ladies' undergarments was nicknamed. A post office was established in Glen Haven in 1859, which ended the Daily Mail operation. (Source: Patton book, pp. 320-322).
Beginning around 1854, typeset stamps were used on letters from Glen Haven, always in conjunction with United States postage. The one-cent supplemental fee paid for a letter to be brought to the post office at Scott, about three miles away, or, if the roads were favorable, to Homer, about ten miles from Glen Haven. The stamps remained in use until very early in 1859, probably stopping at the time the post office was established. Although the Scott Catalogue lists 71L1 as the first stamp in the series, it is almost certainly the last printed and used. Only four genuine 71L1 and one 71L1a covers are known to us, all dated in October-December 1858 or January 1859. The 71L2-71L4 types were used during the five years prior to 1859. The great rarity of 71L1 makes sense if it comes from a printing that occurred just before the service was terminated in 1859.
Typeset stamps are by nature more prone to variation. Typesetters composing a sheet of stamps were sometimes forced to sacrifice uniformity to complete the setting. Fonts or border pieces were interchanged. Even individual characters were used incorrectly, if misread by the typesetter or deliberately substituted for used-up type. Stamps such as the Honour's "Conours" and "Bents" (4LB8c), Davis's "Pennq" Post, Moody's "Henny Dispatch" (110L1b) and Hoyts "Lettcr" (85L1) are a few prominent examples of typographical errors among the carrier and local issues.
There is one other example of the "Gien" stamp known to us, uncancelled on piece, ex Hollowbush and Hall. To the best of our knowledge, these are the only examples of 71L1a extant.
Ex Golden and D.K. collection. With 1999 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $6,250.00.
Glen Haven Daily Mail, Glen Haven N.Y., 1c Black on Green Glazed (71L3). Type III, large margins, uncancelled as always, used with 3c Dull Red (11), large margins to slightly in, tied by "Scott N.Y. Nov. 12" circular datestamp on J. C. Jackson M.D. blue woodcut corner card cover to Niagara Falls N.Y., slight wear affecting left edge of stamp, Fine, signed Sloane
Glen Haven Daily Mail, Glen Haven N.Y., 1c Black on Green Glazed (71L3). Type III, ample to large margins, minor scrapes in surface coating, used on 3c Red Nesbitt entire to Twinsburg O., "Scott N.Y. Aug. 29" circular datestamp, with printed enclosure "Constitution of the National Dress Reform Association" (the original Bloomer Girls) and marvelous long-winded letter (dated Aug. 28, 1856) from a "patient" undergoing treatment at Dr. Jackson's and enthusiastically reporting on events ("Mr. Apfelbaum still remains in the bathroom"), Fine and scarce use, the enclosures are a rare and fascinating bit of history, ex Hall, signed Sloane, with 2001 P.F. certificate
Glen Haven Daily Mail, Glen Haven N.Y., 1c Black on Green Glazed (71L3). Large margins, tiny corner crease, uncancelled as usual, used on printed Glen Haven Water Cure illustrated advertising circular to Stanwich Conn., vignette of women washing babies, bold "Homer N.Y. Paid" circular handstamp used only on printed matter, Very Fine, rare use of the Glen Haven "supplementary post" stamp to carry circular to nearby post office, where it entered mails as prepaid printed-matter, with 2002 P.S.E. certificate
Hackney & Bolte Penny Post, Atlantic City N.J., (1c) Black on Red, Die Cut (153L1). With 2c Red Brown (210), both tied by "Atlantic City N.J. Jun. 30, 1887 4 PM" duplex datestamp and cancel on locally-addressed cover, slightly reduced at leftVERY FINE AND CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE HACKNEY & BOLTE STAMP -- EXTRAORDINARILY RARE TIED TO COVER.
Ex Hollowbush and Geisler. Scott Retail $4,500.00
Hanford's Pony Express Post 2 Cts. Red Horse & Rider oval handstamp and matching "Paid" handstamp on lady's small embossed cover to local street address, sender's instructions "To be delivered before 12", etiquette label on back, top backflap replaced, otherwise Fine cover with a mostly clear strike
Homan's Empire Express, New York N.Y., (unstated value) Black on Yellow (83L1). "Paid" in Roman caps, large margins except repaired at bottom with part of design painted in, added to an 1852 folded letter to a Reverend in Northville Mich. with "New-York 5 Cts Apr. 23" integral-rate circular datestamp drawn in on stamp, there are only five reported examples of this stamp, this is the first Homan's stamp reported (American Journal of Philately, 1892, Vol. 5, p. 520), ex Chapman, Needham, Hall and Geisler, with 2001 P.F. certificate stating the stamp did not originate, listed but unpriced in Scott
Hopedale Penny Post, Milford Mass., (1c) Black on Pink Glazed, Rayed Asterisks (84L1). Large margins, affixed to top flap and uncancelled as usual, couple minor surface scrapes and small thin spot, used with 3c Dull Dull Red, Ty. II (11A), tied by "Milford Ms. Sep. 4" circular datestamp on brown cover to Boston Mass., small piece of flap under local missing, otherwise Very Fine, accompanied by 1934 letter from Homer Sargent related to two of the Hopedale covers, Scott Retail $1,000.00
Hopedale Penny Post, Milford Mass., (1c) Black on Yellow Wove (84L3). Cut to circular shape clear of frame, uncancelled as usual, affixed in its customary place on backflap of cover to Leicester Mass., part of "Milford Ms. May 11" circular datestamp shows space where 3c 1851 stamp was affixed and removed -- its absence is somewhat irrelevant, considering that the Hopedale stamp is on the backVERY FINE. PROBABLY FEWER THAN FOUR OR FIVE COVERS EXIST WITH THE HOPEDALE PENNY POST CIRCULAR STAMP ON YELLOW. A MAJOR LOCAL-POST RARITY.
Ex Hollowbush, Golden and Kuphal. Unpriced in Scott on cover.
Hussey's Post, New York N.Y., (unstated value) Rose, Perf 12-1/2 (87L60). Tied by purple "Hussey's Special Messenger Express, Paid, 54 Pine St." double-line oval handstamp on cover to local street address, fresh and Very Fine, with 2000 P.F. certificate
Jenkins' Camden Dispatch, Camden N.J., (unstated value) Black, Fine Impression (89L1). Halstead Type 4, ample to large margins, pencil cancel, used on small cover addressed in pencil to Miss Eleanore H. Davis, part of backflap removed and small opening tear at top right, Very Fine, one of the most attractive of the ten recorded Jenkins' 89L1 covers, an overview of the post and the different stamp printings is provided in our Golden sale (lot 1273), ex Schwartz and D.K. collection, Scott Retail $3,000.00.
Metropolitan Post Office, New York N.Y., (2c) Pale Red on Glazed (108L3). Without the "PRO" in "PROPRIETOR", cut to shape, tied by partly readable "Metropolitan P.O. (Dec?) 12" circular datestamp with "Paid/W. H. Laws" framed handstamp on small cover to Luther Bradish at local street address, very fresh and cleanVERY FINE. AN IMMACULATE TIED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE "W. H. LAW" METROPOLITAN POST OFFICE STAMP, OF WHICH ONLY SEVEN COVERS ARE RECORDED.
The Metropolitan Post Office (a private post despite the name) is believed to have been established just prior to January 1854 by Lemuel Williams, whose abbreviated name "L. Williams" and 162 Ninth Street address appear on the first octagonal stamp (108L1). Curiously, Williams is never identified with the Metropolitan Post Office nor any mail operation in the city directories. The 1854-55 and 1855-56 directories list William H. Laws as proprietor of the "Post Office" at 13 Bible House, which was located across from Williams' address. The 1856-59 directories list Laws at the same address, but the name "Metropolitan Post Office" is used. In 1859 Laws is listed with the business "Books", which suggests the end of his involvement with the post. A trade directory links Williams and Laws in a partnership at 162 Ninth Street. (Reference: Patton book, p. 228, and Perry correspondence).
Although undated, it is our opinion that this cover could not have been mailed any earlier than 1856, based on the use of the "Metropolitan P.O." and "Paid/W. H. Laws" markings, as well as the worn impression of the 108L3 stamp. We record a total of seven covers with 108L3 (updated from our Golden sale), including six local uses with identical markings.
Ex Chapman, Caspary, Judd, Golden and Geisler. With 2000 P.F. certificate specifically noting the missing "Pro" variety. Scott Retail $3,750.00
One Cent Despatch (Wiley), Washington D.C., 1c Violet (112L1). Large margins to cut in at top, scissors cut into design at right, tied by one of two strikes of "City Despatch Jun. 23 10-1/2 A.M. 1856" circular datestamp, used with 3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A), large margins, tied by "Washington D.C. Jun. 23, 1856" circular datestamp on cover to Milford Del., light stains and small tear at left, otherwise Fine
Pinkney's Express Post, New York N.Y., 2c Black on Green Glazed (115L1). Roughly separated with margins clear except at right, lettering is intact, three pen strokes, one of which was dry but ties the stamp, pencil "Paid" referring to Pinkney's fee, black "New-York 5 Cts. Oct. 5" due rate circular datestamp on cover to Suffield Conn., pencil docketing indicates 1851 year date, stamp with minor age spotsFINE. ONE OF FOUR RECORDED COVERS BEARING THE PINKNEY'S EXPRESS POST STAMP -- THIS IS THE ONLY TIED EXAMPLE.
The only clue to the location of this post is the discovery cover, ex Ferrary, which contains a letter datelined "Fourth Ave., 94 -- opposite 11th St.", which Elliott Perry discusses in detail in Pat Paragraphs (reprint, pp. 473-474). The other recorded covers provide no further clues, except that the dates range from July to November 1851. Perry located a few Pinkney's (or Pinckney's) in the city directories, but found no evidence linking any of them to the post. Our records contain four covers with 115L1, which may represent all or most of the known examples.
Ex Golden, Kuphal and Geisler. With 1999 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $4,500.00
Priest's Despatch, Philadelphia Pa., (2c) Black on Rose Wove (121L4). Large to huge margins, intense shade, uncancelled as usual, used on large part of folded cover (address panel and back panel) to local street address, tiny eroded spot at top, stamp is superb and lettersheet is otherwise clean, Extremely Fine stamp and one of nine recorded Black-on-Pink uses, Steven M. Roth's census lists eight covers with 121L4, and we have added one additional cover (see Golden sale, lot 1445), not all of the recorded covers have stamps that necessarily originated, pencil note on back "Found in Phila. 1919.", ex Needham, Boker, Lilly, Golden and Geisler, with 1999 P.F. certificate.
Priest's Despatch, Philadelphia Pa., (2c) Black on Yellow Wove (121L6). Full margins to very slightly in, uncancelled, used on small embossed Valentine cover to Miss Sally Wheeler at local street address, envelope with scalloped flap and hand-painted bird design on flap (mended opening tear in flap), stamp has small creases and small tear at bottom, Very Fine appearance, only six Priest's 121L6 covers are recorded in the Roth census, ex Geisler, with 2001 P.F. certificate
Priest's Despatch, Philadelphia Pa., (2c) Black on Blue Wove (121L7). Large margins to in, intense shade, uncancelled as always, on buff cover to Cain P.O. Pa., blue "Philadelphia Pa. 5cts. Feb. 14" circular datestamp, Very Fine, this cover is among the nine listed in the Roth census, and we can add one additional cover, postmarked Feb. 12 (1852) to Blairsville N.J., ex Kuphal
Ricketts & Hall, Baltimore Md., 1c Red on Bluish (127L1). Cut to shape as are all but one of the seven known examples, pencil cancel, slightly cut in at lower left and slight thin spots at rightFINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF SEVEN RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE RICKETTS & HALL STAMP, OF WHICH ONLY FOUR HAVE THE NAME AND ADDRESS AROUND THE PERIMETER STILL INTACT. ONE OF THE MOST SOUGHT-AFTER OF AMERICAN LOCAL-POST STAMPS.
Denwood N. Kelly provided an excellent overview of what little is known about Ricketts & Hall in his Collectors Club Philatelist series on Baltimore (Vol. 50, No. 6). Stephen Gronowski updated the census of known examples in The Penny Post (Apr. 1994) and Steven M. Roth included the three recorded covers in his February 1997 Baltimore survey (Chronicle 173). A review of our own records (including the Costales and Sloane notes and P.F. files) produced no additional examples or information, and the following information is drawn from the sources noted.
The stamps and advertisements from The Sun (Feb. 10-11, 1857) give the address of Ricketts & Hall as 4 Rechabite Hall, the location of Cook's Dispatch three years earlier (considered by Kelly to be purely coincidental). Several candidates for the proprietors are found in city directories, but nothing is known that directly links any of them to the post. Kelly speculated that John Ricketts, a printer, and Robert Hall, a tailor, were the best choices, given their proximity to 4 Rechabite Hall. The post started in February 1857 (the year appears on the stamp) and probably did not exist more than a few months. The three recorded 127L1 stamps with the surrounding name and address cut away have led to speculation that the post was sold to a new owner, who removed his predecessor's imprint; this is not an unreasonable theory, but no evidence beyond the stamps has been found to support it. If this occurred, it would have to pre-date the May 15, 1857 cover listed below as number 7, which bears a stamp with the outer circle and label cut away.
The Gronowski census is current with seven recorded examples: 1) cut to shape, pencil cancel, ex Caspary, Middendorf, Gronowski collection; 2) cut to shape, pencil cancel, the stamp offered here, ex Ferrary (?--as reported by Sloane), Needham, Hollowbush, Richardson, Golden and Kuphal; 3) outer circle with name and address cut away, uncancelled, ex Burrus; 4) outer circle with name and address cut away, tied by Baltimore blue datestamp (date?) on piece with 3c 1851, 1991 Park Cities net price sale; 5) cut to shape, uncancelled, used on back of Justice of the Peace corner card cover to George C. Whiting, Comm. of Pensions, Washington D.C., 3c 1851 tied by Baltimore Feb. 17, 1857 datestamp on front of cover, ex Lilly, Boker; 6) the only cut square stamp, pencil cancel, used on cover to Master Hammie Keplinger, local address, Valentine enclosure, illustrated in Kelly article (Siegel Sale 973, lot 297, realized $21,000 hammer); and 7) outer circle with name and address cut away, uncancelled, used on front only, 3c Red Nesbitt embossed stamp, Baltimore May 15, 1857 datestamp, to George N. Forney, Hanover Pa., discovered in 1909, ex Hollowbush, Lowe. Therefore, there are only four 127L1's with the outer label intact, including two covers and two off-cover stamps (cut to shape except for one stamp on cover).
Illustrated in Kelly CCP series (Vol. 50, No. 6, p. 358). Sloane notes this stamp as possibly coming from the Ferrary and Needham collections. Ex Hollowbush, Richardson, Golden and Kuphal. With 1999 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $9,000.00
Robison & Co., Brooklyn N.Y., 1c Black on Blue (128L1). Ample to large margins, cancelled by light blue "Paid" straightline, tiny pinholeVERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF OF THE FINEST OF THE SEVEN REPORTED OFF-COVER EXAMPLES OF ROBISON & CO.'S LOCAL-POST STAMP.
Robison & Co. was a relatively small local post in Brooklyn, New York. Elliott Perry located three Robisons in the city directory listings who were in the express business: Cornelius D. Robison at 140 Chambers, 1857-58; Francis Robison at 707 Greenwich, 1857-58; and William Robison at 64 Cedar, 1852-53. It is not known which, if any, of these men was the proprietor.
The most famous example of the Robison & Co. local-post stamp is the one tied on cover to Jas. H. Watson, 231 Henry Street in Brooklyn. The cover was discovered circa 1895 by F. E. Kneeland Jr., a Brooklyn teen-aged boy who found it while searching through a relative's papers. It passed to Ferrary, then to Caspary, and was later to become one of the cornerstones of the Boker collection. Other examples of Robison & Co.'s stamp must have been discovered in the 1860's, because catalogues published in 1864 and 1865 contain listings for a Robison & Co. post.
Our records contain eight examples of 128L1, including seven off cover and the one on cover. Five of the off-cover stamps are known to have small faults. The stamp offered here has a relatively clear strike of the blue "Paid" cancellation ("I" and "D" show).
Ex Schwartz. Scott Retail $4,500.00
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 toningFINE 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
Swarts' B. Post Office N.Y. Chatham Square. Red oval handstamp on large bronze on bluish gray Valentine cover addressed in blue to local street address, Extremely Fine
Swarts' City Dispatch Post, New York N.Y., (2c) Red on Wove (136L4). Stone 2, large margins to clear at top left, bright color, tied by one of two strikes of "Paid" cancel, "Swarts' B. Post Office N.Y. Chatham Square" oval handstamp on buff cover to local street address, Very Fine
Teese & Co. Penny Post, Philadelphia Pa., (1c) Blue on Bluish (137L1). Horizontal gutter block of 42 which contains 14 tete-beche pairs, also with sheet margin at left, unused (no gum), light creases, Very Fine appearance, an impressive multiple, Scott Retail $1,680.00 as 14 tete-beche pairs and 14 singles
Teese & Co. Penny Post, Philadelphia Pa., (1c) Blue on Bluish (137L1). Acid tied, blue "5" in double circle and matching "Philadelphia Pa. Jul. 10" circular datestamp on folded cover to Burlington N.J., trivial edgewear, Very Fine, a scarce and beautiful cover, ex Hyzen and Dr. Morris, with 1998 P.F. certificate
Teese & Co. Penny Post, Philadelphia Pa., (1c) Blue on Bluish (137L1). Ample margins to touching, pencil cancel (not tied), used on cover to local street address, edgewear and creases, otherwise Fine and scarce, ex Hollowbush and Schwartz
Union Square Post Office, New York N.Y., 1c Black on Dark Green (141L1). Large margins at sides, just barely in at top and bottom, tied by "New-York 10 Cts. Apr. 25" integral-rate circular datestamp on 1854 folded letter to Toronto, Canada, "6" Canadian due handstamp, receiving backstamp, Extremely Fine, the only full cover to Canada with the Union Square Post Office stamp in our records, with 2013 P.F. certificate
Union Square Post Office, New York N.Y., 1c Black on Dark Green (141L1). On part cover front with 3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A) placed over and tied by New York circular datestamp, "New York 10 Cts" and "6" handstamp indicating this piece was originally a cross-border cover to Canada, unusual, ex Geisler
1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Horizontal strip of three, each recut once at top and bottom, full to large margins, tied by light strikes of "Westtown Pa. Jan. ?" circular datestamp and used with Westtown Pa. (2c) Gold (145L1), uncancelled as usual, to Philadelphia, Very Fine, from the well-known Cope correspondence, Edward Drinker Cope (1840-1897) was the son of Alfred and Hannah (Edge) Cope, he attended Westtown School at this time, ex Senchuk and Vogel
Whittelsey's Express, Chicago Ill., 2c Red (146L1). Large to huge margins, intense shade and impression, blue "Whittelsey's Letter Express" oval handstamp, couple minor thin spotsEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF SIX RECORDED USED EXAMPLES OF THIS BEAUTIFUL CHICAGO LOCAL POST STAMP.
Ex Caspary, Boker, Richardson, Golden and Kuphal. With 1999 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $6,000.00