Sale 1232 — United States Stamps and Postal History
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 30-31 March, 2021
Category — Local Posts and Independent Mails: Brainard thru Eagle City Post
Brainard & Co., 5c Blue (24L2). Cut to shape with margins mostly clear, cancelled by manuscript "8", accompanying certificate notes "it is a Scott 24L2, genuine and genuinely used on this folded letter, the target cancel and the tie at left are not original markings", the stamp is Fine, with 2020 P.F. certificate, Scott value $1,250.00 as used stamp
Brigg's Despatch Paid. Negative circular handstamp in black, very bold and partly readable strike on 1848 folded letter to Wrentham Mass., part strike of blue "Philada. Pa. 10 cts. Sep. 28" integral-rate circular datestamp, letter is somewhat aged and brittle along folds (should not be opened), otherwise Fine and very rare, ex Golden
Harriott's Broadway Post Office. Cor. Canal St. New-York. Red oval handstamp clearly struck on embossed Valentine cover to local street address, with original Valentine enclosure -- embossed illustration of romantic couple, gilt and enamel decorations -- circa 1849, faint and very minor staining, still Very Fine, this is the first handstamp used by James C. Harriott's Broadway Post Office in 1849 and is scarce, ex Golden
Broadway Post-Office City Express 2 Cts. Five covers and one front bearing the Broadway oval handstamp, first in black with "Paid" in wide arc on cover to editor of Ledger of Romance, bold but slightly blurry strike, Very Fine, second in red on brown cover to local street address, light but readable strike, Very Fine, last four items include one in red with "Paid" and three in black on two covers and one front, some faults on these but readable strikes, overall Fine and scarce group, ex Golden
Brooklyn City Express Post, Brooklyn N.Y., 2c Black on Dark Blue (28L5). Large margins, black cancel (not tied), minor pre-use crease, used with 3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A), large margins to touched at left, tied by bold "Brooklyn N-Y. Oct. 29" circular datestamp on small mourning-bordered cover to New Haven Conn., pencil 1853 docketing, Extremely Fine combination, ex Golden, with 2001 P.F. certificate
Brooklyn City Express Post, Brooklyn N.Y., 2c Black on Dark Blue (28L5). Group of six covers, each was an individual lot in our 1999 sale of the David Golden Collection (Sale 817) and remains on its original lot card, including four with the 28L5 adhesive, two of these on embossed Valentines, also two stampless covers including one on embossed Valentine, some small faults but overall Fine and attractive balance, see our website PDF for images of each lot card, which will allow bidders a full review of the Sale 817 descriptions
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Browne & Co.'s City Post Office, Cincinnati O., 1c Black (29L1). Three, the two stamps at right originally formed a pair, ample margins to slightly in, lightly cancelled in pencil from left to right "X", "2" and "3", on buff cover to local street address, pristine conditionVERY FINE. THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF BROWNE & CO.'S 3-CENT SPECIAL RATE PREPAID BY STAMPS. ONLY ONE OTHER EXAMPLE OF THIS RATE IS RECORDED.
Browne & Co.'s City Post was established in Cincinnati in early 1852, with daily advertisements appearing in the Cincinnati Commercial from April 15 through May 17, 1852 (Perry, Pat Paragraphs reprint, p. 390). In the advertisement, it was stated that "no money or valuable whatever will be transmitted unless booked at the Central Office and paid for in proportion to the risk incurred." (our italics for emphasis). This form of registration for valuable letters provides one basis for the 3c rate shown on the cover offered here. Another basis is the stampless Valentine cover that bears a Browne & Co. "3 CENTS" circular rate marking, which establishes beyond question that a 3c rate existed.
The "City Post" circle that appears on Browne & Co. covers later turns up on mail handled by the official carrier, C. C. Williams. The transfer of this device from Browne & Co. to Williams in late 1854 (see Sale 817, lot 276), as well as the similarity between advertising copy and the stamp designs, creates a logical link between the two posts, one private and the other official.
Ex Knapp, Caspary, Middendorf and Golden. Signed Sloane.
Browne & Co.'s City Post Office, Cincinnati O., 1c Black (29L1). Two, each on separate cover with 3c Dull Red Ty. II (11), one tied by "City Post" in circle with 3c tied by blue "Cincinnati O. May 31" circular datestamp on blue folded letter to Patterson N.J. (1c roughly separated with top of stamp partly torn away), other uncancelled but tied by stain with 3c tied by blue "Cincinnati O. Jun. 22" (1853) circular datestamp on small cover to Tuscaloosa Ala., Very Good to Fine stamps on attractive and scarce covers, ex Golden
Bush's Brooklyn City N.Y. 2 Cent Express. Red oval handstamp clearly struck on beautiful lace Valentine cover to local street address, with lovely hand-colored lithographed "Love Binds" poetic Valentine enclosure, some unavoidable splits along lace in envelopeVERY FINE. PROBABLY NO MORE THAN A HALF-DOZEN COVERS EXIST WITH THE HANDSTAMPED OVAL OF BUSH'S BROOKLYN CITY EXPRESS. ONLY TWO OF THE COVERS KNOWN TO US ARE VALENTINES.
See our Golden Sale 817, lot 854 for details of the post. This cover, ex Golden, and the one offered in the following lot are the only Valentines with Bush's handstamp that we record.
Bush's Brooklyn City N.Y. 2 Cent Express. Red oval handstamp, mostly clear strike on small lace Valentine cover to local street address, with lovely hand-colored lithographed floral Valentine enclosure with handwritten poem, dated Feb. 14, 1848VERY FINE. ONE OF TWO RECORDED VALENTINES WITH THE HANDSTAMPED OVAL OF BUSH'S BROOKLYN CITY EXPRESS.
See our Golden Sale 817, lot 854 for details of the post. This cover, ex Golden, and the one offered in the previous lot are the only Valentines with Bush's handstamp that we record.
California Penny Post Co., San Francisco, 2c Blue (34L1). Vertical pair with huge right sheet margin and large margins all around, unused (no gum), faint horizontal crease in top stamp, diagonal crease and thin in sheet margin, bottom stamp is sound, Extremely Fine appearance, we know of one other multiple of this rare stamp -- the block of six from the Golden collection and our 2012 Rarities sale, which at one point was joined to this pair -- ex Kuphal, signed Sloane
California Penny Post Co., San Francisco, 2c Black Entire (34LU1). Printed frank with instructions for users, 3c Brownish Carmine, Ty. II (11A) with large margins including top sheet margin, cancelled in manuscript "1855 Feb. 21", but accompanying P.F. certificate states stamp did not originate, clear strike of "Penny Post Co. San Francisco" double-line circular handstamp on entire to Sacramento street address, some light soiling, Very Fine appearance, it appears that the letter was taken to Sacramento by the Penny Post outside of the regular mails, inasmuch as there is no San Francisco government postmark, the Frajola census lists only six examples of the 34LU1 entire (including this example), ex Chapman, Jessup, Pearce, Haas, "Edwards" and Golden, illustrated in Nathan book and Coburn's Letters of Gold, with 2000 P.F. certificate as described above
G. Carter's Despatch, Philadelphia Pa. Three covers, first with 2c Black adhesive (36L1), three large margins, touched at right, manuscript "X" cancel, "G. Carter's Despatch 90 N. Fifth St. Paid" circular handstamp on lady's small embossed cover to local street address, brown gum toning effectively ties stamp to cover, Fine and attractive, other two stampless with "G. Carter's Despatch, 90 N. Fifth St. Paid" circular handstamp, one with "Paid" straightline on May 28, 1849 folded letter to local street address (poor strike), other on cover to Bridgeton N.J. with blue Philadelphia datestamps, Fine, ex Golden
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City Express Post, Philadelphia Pa., (2c) Black on Pink (44L2). Full right margin, other sides touching to slightly in, unusually fine impression, uncancelled and affixed to Jan. 5. 1846 folded printed notice to Burlington N.J., accompanying P.F. certificate declines opinion on whether stamp originates, blue "Philadelphia Pa. Jan. 8" circular datestamp, matching "2" in double-line circleFRESH AND VERY FINE. ONLY SIX EXAMPLES OF THE CITY EXPRESS POST STAMP ON PINK PAPER ARE RECORDED, INCLUDING FIVE COVERS (NONE CANCELLED).
Robson Lowe attributed the City Express Post to Calvin Tyson and claimed that D. O. Blood bought the business on November 26, 1846. Subsequent research by Steven M. Roth has failed to find the source documentation to substantiate (or refute) Lowe's statements. In fact, little is known about this post, except that it existed from 1844 to 1846 and issued stamps in 1846; this much is known from the surviving covers with handstamped markings and adhesives.
The printed circular announces the opening of a dry goods store in Philadelphia and invites the addressee in New Jersey to "an early call when you next visit the City." The notice is dated January 5, but it was not postmarked until January 8, a three-day delay. The wording makes it clear that the circulars were intended for recipients outside of Philadelphia, and the bulk of them were probably brought to the post office for mailing on January 5 or the day after. This one was probably addressed and sent after the initial mailing, and the City Express Post was used to bring it to the post office. The three-day lapse between the notice date and day of mailing actually lends credence to the use of a local-post stamp for delivery of a circular to the post office, which is a very uncommon usage.
See Siegel Sale 925, lot 1482 for a census of the six recorded stamps. Ex Souren, Gibson, Middendorf and Golden. With 2000 P.F. certificate as described above. Scott value for unused stamp is $10,000.00, for on-cover is $20,000.00
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City Express Post, Philadelphia Pa., (2c) Red on Yellow (44L3). Large margins except at upper left corner where slightly torn, but clear of design, vivid color on bright paper, customarily uncancelled, used on bluish folded cover to Woodstock Vt., blue "Philadelphia Pa. -- 12" circular datestamp with attached "10" rate, the cover has been lightly cleaned and pressed (undoubtedly by Caspary)VERY FINE APPEARANCE. THE UNIQUE PHILADELPHIA CITY EXPRESS POST RED ON YELLOW STAMP. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT LOCAL-POST COVERS IN EXISTENCE AND ONE OF THE WORLD'S RAREST STAMPS.
Although some of the letter is readable on the inside of this cover, there is no date, nor is the Philadelphia datestamp clear enough to determine the month of mailing. Steven M. Roth reported the Type C-62 datestamp as used in 1846-47, which falls into the City Express Post period. As noted in the description for lot 972 in our Golden sale (Sale 817), there are six recorded examples of the Dove stamp in Black on Pink. This Dove stamp in Red on Yellow is unique. It was purchased in the 1957 Caspary sale by Elliott Perry for $2,100 and later sold to Josiah K. Lilly through the Weills of New Orleans (their handstamp is on back). At the Lilly sale held by our firm in 1967, the cover sold for $1,900. It was acquired by Ambassador J. William Middendorf II and sold on his behalf at Christie's Robson Lowe in 1991 for $15,400 (including premium) to David Golden.
Ex Caspary, Perry, Lilly, Middendorf and Golden. With 2002 P.F. certificate not mentioning any stamp faults and stating "It is a genuine usage". Scott value $30,000.00
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Cook's Dispatch, Baltimore Md., (1c) Green (51L1). Large margins all around, deep rich color, neatly cancelled by single manuscript line (not tied), used on brown cover to local street address, Lipman's Adhesive Despatch seal on flap, slight crease in cover at upper rightEXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF SIX RECORDED EXAMPLES OF COOK'S DISPATCH STAMP, OF WHICH ONLY THREE ARE KNOWN USED ON COVER. A MAJOR LOCAL POST RARITY.
Cook's Dispatch was operated by Isaac Cook in Baltimore very briefly in 1853. In his CCP series on Baltimore (Vol. 50, No. 4), Denwood N. Kelly illustrated the only known contemporary reference to Cook's Dispatch, a notice from the 1853 Matchett's Baltimore Director. Kelly speculated that the proprietor was not the Rev. Isaac Cook listed in city directories, but probably was a son or relative who shared the same name. The Kelly article noted three covers and "one or two stamps". Steven M. Roth's Baltimore census (Chronicle, Feb. 1997) listed three covers (no off-cover stamps). Our records contain six examples of 51L1, including the three covers. Of those, only this cover is addressed within the city limits of Baltimore. It is also the finest of the recorded stamps, with large margins and in sound condition.
Illustrated in Kelly's CCP series. Ex Ferrary, Mason, Souren, Lilly and Golden. Pencil note on inside of backflap "Cook's Dispatch, Guaranteed Genuine, GWM"
Cook's Dispatch, Baltimore Md., (1c) Green (51L1). Three large margins, touched at bottom, bright color, cancelled by single manuscript line that extends just over top edge of stamp onto cover, stamp did not originate on this cover, 3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A), full margins to slightly in, tied by bluish-black "Baltimore Md. Apr. 4" rimless circular datestamp on blue folded cover to New York City, docketing on inside flap but the year is torn awayVERY FINE. ONE OF SIX RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE COOK'S DISPATCH 51L1 STAMP.
Only six confirmed copies of the Cook's Dispatch stamp are known, including three on covers. This cover is listed in the Kelly and Roth surveys, but the stamp did not originate.
Illustrated in Kelly CCP series (Vol. 50, No. 4). Ex Needham, Middendorf and Golden. With 1999 P.F. certificate
Cook's Dispatch, Baltimore Md., (1c) Green (51L1). Octagonal margins, mostly large except where touching at top, rich color, cancelled by single manuscript line, slight thinning at right, Very Fine appearance, one of only six recorded examples of this rare local, ex Worthington, Keyser, Kelly (illustrated in his CCP series) and Golden, with 1999 P.F. certificate
Cummings' City Post, New York N.Y., 2c Black on Yellow Glazed (55L3). Huge bottom sheet margins, other sides ample to touching, black segmented square cancel (not tied), brown gum ties stamp thru lettersheet, red "New-York 5 cts. 7 Apr." (1846) integral-rate circular datestamp on blue folded letter to Baltimore Md.VERY FINE. AN EARLY AND VERY RARE USE OF CUMMINGS' "LETTER & HEART" STAMP.
Alfred H. Cummings operated Cummings' City Post as early as December 1845 (earliest reported cover) through 1847. Cummings and Robert Wright joined to take over the City Despatch Post Office from Abraham Mead by March 1847.
Ex Golden. Signed Sloane.
Cummings' City Post, New York N.Y., 2c Black on Vermilion Glazed (55L7). Ample to large margins, uncancelled, faint pre-use crease, affixed to printed notice from Methodist Book Rooms inviting the addressee, Rev. D. Terry, to attend a meeting on Thursday, Nov. 5 (Nov. 5 fell on a Thursday in 1846), two strikes of red oval "Cumming's Express 2 Cts." locomotive handstamp, the stamp's use on the notice is logical but most recent P.F. certificate declines opinion on whether it originatedEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE CUMMINGS' CITY POST 2-CENT OVAL STAMP, 55L7, OF WHICH ONLY FIVE ARE KNOWN.
Our records contain five examples of 55L7: 1) unused, slight crease and thin spots, ex Richardson, Golden and Kuphal (Sale 925, lot 1498); 2) unused, crease, thins, ex Boker and Golden (Sale 817, lot 1014); 3) repaired, affixed to a cover, ex Middendorf; 4) unused, right sheet margin, horizontal crease, ex Burrus and Hall (Sale 830, lot 600); and 5) faint pre-use crease, affixed to Nov. 1846 folded notice to Rev. D. Terry with locomotive handstamp struck twice, ex Chapman, Caspary, Lilly, Richardson and Golden, the example offered here.
Ex Chapman, Caspary, Lilly, Richardson and Golden. With 1980 and 2001 P.F. certificates, the latter declining opinion on whether the stamp originated (and also not mentioning a pre-use crease). Scott value $8,250.00 as off-cover stamp
Cutting's Despatch Post. Blue oval handstamp boldly struck on folded Mar. 4, 1847 Firemen's Benevolent Association meeting notice to E. S. Hawley, Extremely Fine, five examples reported, ex Petri and Golden, for background information on Cuttings Despatch Post see Siegel Golden sale, pages 194-195 at http://www.siegelauctions.com/1999/817/817-2-3.pdf
Davis's Penny Post, Baltimore Md., (1c) Black on Lilac (57L1). Type A with top left corner sheet margins (Position 1), a superb uncancelled stamp used on a small enameled Valentine cover to Miss Caroline Lamden, embossed flaps with "The Heart that can feel for another" label, accompanied by an ornate Valentine card which fits envelope (folded at top -- possibly original to cover)EXTREMELY FINE -- AS FRESH AND CHOICE AS ONE COULD HOPE FOR. ONLY FOUR STAMPED COVERS ARE RECORDED WITH THE DAVIS'S PENNY POST STAMP -- OF WHICH TWO ARE VALENTINES FROM DAVIS'S BRIEF PERIOD OF EXISTENCE IN 1856.
Our records of 14 Davis's Penny Post stamps contain four genuine covers: 1) Ty. F, tied by red handstamp on Fountain Hotel corner card cover to Western Hotel, Baltimore, ex Hollowbush, Malcolm, Golden, "D.K." and Geisler (Sale 965, lot 1170); 2) Ty. F, with bottom right corner sheet margins, tied by red handstamp on back of cover to Miss Louise Senss (?), Baltimore, ex Caspary and Boker; 3) Ty. A, with top left sheet corner margins, uncancelled on small Valentine cover to Miss Caroline Lamden, ex Hollowbush and Golden, the cover offered here; and 4) Type unknown, tied by red handstamp, ex Brown (5c 1847 stamp added to cover at the time -- possibly removed now). In addition to the genuine covers, there are other covers to which genuine Davis stamps have been added (all predate the post's existence). The cover census by Steven M. Roth (Chronicle 173) agrees with our data.
Ex Hollowbush and Golden
Eagle City Post, Philadelphia Pa., (2c) Black, Tete-Beche Pair (61L2a). Horizontal strip of seven with parts of two adjoining stamps at sides, original gum causing some creasing and toningVERY FINE. THE SECOND LARGEST OF THE THREE LARGE MULTIPLES OF THE EAGLE CITY POST STAMP. A REMARKABLE STRIP, CONTAINING TWO TETE-BECHE PAIRS.
The Eagle City Post sheets comprised two types, arranged in a vertical pair that was repeated throughout the sheet: Type A with 39 points around the border; and Type B with 46 points. The make-up of this strip, including the part stamps at sides, is B-A-A-[A-B]-[A-B]-B-A (brackets around tete-beche pairs). Both types have the misspelling "Chesnut". The earliest 61L2 cover is dated Oct. 1, 1846, with the stamp tied by pen and a small red "Paid" handstamp, signed Perry (Robson Lowe sale, Mar. 1, 1973, lot 1766).
Ex Middendorf and Golden.