Sale 1260 — 2022 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Tuesday, 28 June, 2022
Category — 1847 Issue, Domestic Covers and Foreign Mails
5c Red Brown, 10c Black (1, 2). 5c three large margins and in at left, worn-plate impression and very pale shade, affixed slightly over 10c which appears to have clear to full margins, cancelled by red 4-ring target cancels, matching "Greenwich N.Y. Feb. 8" (1851) circular datestamp and "V" 5c Roman numeral rate handstamp on long folded letter to North Adams, Massachusetts, 5c small corner crease at bottom left, 10c pressed-out vertical crease at left, some splitting along folds is expertly reinforcedFINE AND VERY SCARCE COMBINATION OF 5-CENT AND 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE STAMPS WITH AN UNUSUAL FANCY TARGET CANCEL OF GREENWICH, NEW YORK.
The two stamps were intended to pay the triple 5c under-300 miles for 1.5 ounces, but the half-ounce rate increments were eliminated in March 1849, so this was handstamped with the "V" 5c rate marking, either to indicate additional postage paid or (more likely) due from the addressee.
Ex Gross. With 1989 P.F. certificate.
5c Red Brown (1). Intermediate impression, large margins including left sheet margin, clear at top left, pre-printing paper fold, affixed over manuscript "Paid 5" and cancelled by bold blue 4-bar grid with matching perfect strike of "Norwich & Worcester R.R. Nov. 16" (1849) route agent's circular datestamp on folded letter to Suffield, ConnecticutVERY FINE SHEET-MARGIN 5-CENT 1847 STAMP AND EXTREMELY FINE STRIKES OF THE NORWICH & WORCESTER RAILROAD BLUE DATESTAMP AND 4-BAR GRID.
These are superb strikes of this route agent's circular datestamp and 4-bar grid, which are known in both red and blue and are very rare on 1847 covers. Ex Matthies, Boker and Gross. With 1990 P.S.E. certificate (as Pale Brown) and unsigned accompanying letter (presumably from expert committee) explaining why the stamp belongs on the cover
5c Red Brown (1). Dot in "S" variety, intermediate impression, large margins to barely touching frameline at left, tied by red 4-bar grid cancel with matching "5" handstamp and "Norwich & Worcester R.R. Apr. 30" (1849) route agent's circular datestamp on folded letter to New York City, printed letterhead from the railroad with illustration of a steam engine pulling a freight carEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL 5-CENT 1847 ON AN ILLUSTRATED RAILROAD LETTERSHEET, WITH NORWICH & WORCESTER RAILROAD RED DATESTAMP.
This is a superb strike of this route agent's circular datestamp, which is known in both red and blue and is very rare on 1847 covers. Ex Dick, Boker and Gross.
5c Red Brown (1). Horizontal pair, large margins to full, grayish shade and intermediate impression, tied by red grid cancels, matching "New Bern N.C. Jul. 29" (1851) circular datestamp on buff envelope to Greenfield, Massachusetts, top flap with "New Bern Hotel N. Carolina" hotel forwarder's handstamp, original enclosure with "51" yeardate, stamps with indents from edge of cancel, faint corner crease at bottom left, cover lightly soiledVERY FINE APPEARING AND RARE DEMONETIZED USE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE ON A NORTH CAROLINA HOTEL COVER -- (ILLEGALLY) OVERPAYING THE DOUBLE 3-CENT RATE.
This is a rare demonetized use overpaying double the new 3c rate. This is also reported to be the only North Carolina hotel cover extant bearing the 1847 Issue.
Ex Boker and Gross.
5c Brown Orange (1d). Horizontal pair, huge margins to full including part of three adjoining stamps, radiant color, worn-plate impression, tied by red grids, matching "New-York Apl. 23" (1851) circular datestamp on buff cover to Lockport N.Y., docketing at topVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL 5-CENT 1847 SHADE, WHICH WE BELIEVE CLOSELY APPROACHES IF NOT MATCHES THE RED ORANGE SHADE.
Ex Knapp. Identified as Red Orange by Dr. Amonette with his notes and signature on back. With 2010 P.F. certificate as Brown Orange (1d).
10c Black (2). Huge margins to just clear at bottom right, separated irregularly at top and bottom with portions of adjoining stamps, cancelled by red grid with matching "Apalachicola F.Ty. Nov. 28" (1850) circular datestamp (with old territorial designation) on Swift correspondence cover to North Fairhaven Mass., receipt docketing of Dec. 13, 1850 at leftVERY FINE. AN UNUSUALLY FRESH AND ATTRACTIVE 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE COVER FROM FLORIDA.
P.F. certificate no. 15313 no longer accompanies
10c 1847 Issue, Turned Use with Confederate States 10c Engraved General Issue (U.S. 2, C.S.A. 11). 10c 1847 tied by red square grid cancel, matching "New York Feb. 4" (ca. 1848-50) circular datestamp on blue folded cover to John J. Gresham in Macon Ga., the sheet was turned, recut into an envelope and used approximately 15 years later within the Confederate States, trimmed and refolded with gummed flap on the 1847 side, franked with Confederate States 10c Blue, Die A (11) tied by Macon Ga. double-circle datestamp (ca. 1863-64), addressed to "Mr. Thomas B. Gresham [most likely John's son], Co. B 2nd Ga. Battallion, Sorells (late Wrights) Brigade, Mahone's division, Hills Corps, Army of Northern Virginia", the Confederate stamp unfortunately was partly chewed by pests, approximately three-quarters of the stamp still intact, the 10c 1847 with file fold where cover was refolded for second use, cover with edgewear and opened for displayA UNIQUE AND HISTORIC COVER BEARING THE 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE, SENT DURING THE ANTEBELLUM ERA FROM NEW YORK TO MACON, GEORGIA, TURNED AND RE-USED APPROXIMATELY 15 YEARS LATER DURING THE CIVIL WAR AS A CONFEDERATE COVER FRANKED WITH THE 10-CENT ENGRAVED ISSUE. THIS IS THE ONLY KNOWN 1847 TURNED USE WITH ANOTHER STAMP OF ANY KIND -- MUCH LESS A CONFEDERATE STAMP. AN OUTSTANDING POSTAL HISTORY ARTIFACT.
There exists a large correspondence related to John J. Gresham dating as far back as the 1830s. More importantly, there is a second cover, included with this lot, which serves to confirm this turned use. The second cover is franked with a half-peeled 3c 1851 Issue stamp and was sent to John Gresham in Macon Ga. Like the 1847 cover, the second cover was refolded into an envelope and sent to Thomas B. Gresham with the Macon datestamp -- though it is missing its Confederate stamp.
It is difficult to pinpoint the exact year of use for this cover during the 1847 period as this style of New York datestamp was in use for several years. The Confederate mailing date was either 1863 or 1864.
Turned uses with 1847 stamps are known, but one of the sides is invariably stampless. We record no 1847 turned covers with a second stamp, and a turned use with a Confederate stamp is truly remarkable.
10c Black (2). Vertical pair, ample margins to just in at left, tied by "paint red" grids, matching "Rochester N.Y. Nov. 23" (1850) circular datestamp on gray folded letter to New York City, fresh and Fine, an attractive cover, vertical pairs of the 10c 1847 are much scarcer than horizontal pairs
10c Black (2). Horizontal strip of four, ample to large margins three sides, touching to in at bottom, tied by nine strikes of black "80" in circle rate handstamp, "New-York Jan. 28" (1850) circular datestamp on cover front only (hinged to back of another cover), addressed to Macondray & Co., San Francisco, routed "Per Georgia", file folds including one thru end stamp at rightFINE APPEARANCE. AN OUTSTANDING AND EXTREMELY RARE STRIP OF FOUR OF THE
10-CENT 1847 ISSUE, PAYING THE 40-CENT RATE ON A COVER FRONT TO SAN FRANCISCO.
The steamer Georgia departed New York on January 28, 1850, and arrived at Chagres on February 18, after stops in Havana and New Orleans. After crossing the Isthmus of Panama, this was likely carried by the PMSS California to San Francisco, departing March 2.
USPCS census no. 8329. Ex Sampson and Chrysler. Illustrated in Letters of Gold (p. 43). Signed Ashbrook. P.F. certificate no. 293553 no longer accompanies.
5c Red Brown, 10c Black (1, 2). Two 10c singles, ample margins to just in, minor toning affecting both stamps and lettersheet, used with single 5c with large margins, intermediate impression, tied by multiple strikes of blue "10" in oval handstamp, matching "Baltimore Md. Sep. 18" (1849) circular datestamp on blue folded cover to Halifax, Nova Scotia, from the Noble correspondence, manuscript "4-1/2" pence due marking, "UD. States/Halifax/Sp 27/1849" receiving backstamp, endorsed "pr Steamer Niagara via New York," but actually went via Boston, carried by the Cunarder Europa, departing Boston September 26 and arriving Halifax September 27, light folds barely affect end stampsVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A SPECTACULAR 5-CENT AND 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE COMBINATION COVER TO NOVA SCOTIA BY CUNARD PACKET.
This is a rare and spectacular combination 5c and 10c 1847 Issue franking, used on a cover to Nova Scotia and intended (in error) to pay the 24c treaty rate applicable to letters carried from the United States to Great Britain via Halifax, Nova Scotia. To correct the USPCS 1847 census, there are only two covers with 5c and 10c 1847 combinations addressed to Robert Noble -- census nos. 2788 and 2789 (offered here). The listing for a third cover with a 5/24/1849 date (no. 2787) is unverified and probably duplicates the entry for the 2788 cover, which is ex Gross (Sale 1211, lot 139).
The Noble 1847 combination covers, mailed after the Retaliatory Rate period, reflect confusion over how the new 24c U.S.-British treaty rate was to be applied to letters to the Maritime Provinces. This situation is explained by David D'Alessandris ("1847 Covers to the Maritime Provinces: An Update," Chronicle 238):
In January 1848, the Cunard Line began operating a second transatlantic route between Liverpool and New York. Like the Liverpool to Boston route, the Liverpool to New York steamers stopped en route in both directions in Halifax. However, by September 1850, Cunard stopped calling at Halifax on the Liverpool to New York route, probably to increase the speed of the crossing to better compete with United States steamship lines.
The Cunard Line rates to Halifax were not widely known, were not listed in the United States Mail and Post Office Assistant until 1863, and were not listed in the Postal Laws and Regulations until the 1866 edition. Moreover, the Cunard packet rates to Halifax, after the implementation of the U.S.-U.K. postal treaty, were illogical. Letters destined for the same Cunard steamer paid different postage based upon the destination. A letter to England could be paid 24c to destination, but a letter to be carried on the same Cunard steamer to Halifax, in a British Province, could only be paid to the port. Moreover, letters carried pursuant to the British open mail provisions of the United Kingdom treaty were charged a uniform 5c inland postage regardless of the distance to the port of debarkation, while letters to Halifax, not covered by the British open mail provisions, were still liable to charges of 5c or 10c depending upon the distance to the port. Letters from Halifax were also subject to confusion. At the start of the treaty period, letters arriving at Boston or New York from the United Kingdom were rated one-shilling (24c) to destination. However, letters arriving from Halifax, which were carried on the same ship (but a much shorter distance) were prepaid the same one-shilling packet postage, but were charged ordinary inland postage of 5c or 10c to destination. Given these illogical rates, it is no surprise that there was confusion.
Ex Seybold, Ackerman, Hollowbush, Pope and Dr. Kapiloff. 1985 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies.
5c Red Brown (1). Horizontal pair, intermediate impression, full margins to in at left, cancelled by pen strokes and tied by extremely bold large "21" debit handstamp on small 1849 cover to Liverpool, England, manuscript "1/-" one-shilling due marking, carried by American packet on the Hermann, departing New York on August 20 and arriving Southampton on September 3, greenish-blue "Liverpool SP 4 1849 C" arrival backstamp, stamps with some slight puckering, minor cover stain in addressVERY FINE AND VISUALLY STRIKING USE OF A PAIR OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE ON AN UNDERPAID COVER TO ENGLAND, WHICH WAS TREATED AS COMPLETELY UNPAID AND STRUCK WITH THE BOLD "21" DEBIT HANDSTAMP.
The New York Exchange Office debited Britain 21 cents -- 5 cents for U.S. inland postage plus 16 cents for American packet, indicated by the large black "21" handstamp. The 5c 1847 pair was not recognized as payment since partial payment was not allowed. The "21" debit handstamp was only used in New York from April to December 1848.
5c Red Brown (1). Horizontal pair, worn-plate impression, huge margins to full, right stamp tear at top, tied by red grid cancels, blue "Baltimore Md. Sep. 15" (1850) circular datestamp on blue folded letter to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Noble correspondence, endorsed "pr Hibernia via Boston", manuscript "4-1/2" pence due marking, Very Fine appearing use of the 1847 Issue to a scarce B.N.A. destination, in contrast to the cover offered in lot 21, by 1850 correspondents of Robert Noble from Baltimore had figured out the correct rates as this cover was not overpaid, ex Rust and Hart
10c Black (2). Large margins to full, intense shade, creased at right by file fold, cancelled by black grid with red "Washington City D.C. Sep. 28" (1847) circular datestamp on folded letter to London, England, carried on the Cunarder Britannia, departing Boston October 1, 1847, and arriving Liverpool October 16, manuscript "1/-" one-shilling due marking, receipt docketing of Oct. 16 on back, Fine appearing and attractive early use of the 10c 1847 Issue to England, P.F. certificate no. 280776 no longer accompanies
5c Red Brown (1). Full margins to just in at bottom, bright shade, worn-plate impression, minor wrinkling at bottom center, tied by blue "Philada. Pa. 5cts. Aug. 27" (1850) integral-rate circular datestamp with second strike at center on cover to Marseilles, France, sender's directive "Per Steamer Niagara" and carried on that Cunarder on August 28 from New York, arriving Liverpool September 9, red London transit backstamp (Sep. 10), bold red Calais arrival datestamp and red "COLONIES/&cART.13" framed Anglo-French accountancy handstamp, "15" decimes due handstamp, lightly cleaned, Very Fine and attractive 5c 1847 cover to France
10c Black (2). Full margins to clear at bottom, cancelled by well-struck blue grid, matching "Schenectady N.Y. Apr. 14" (1851) circular datestamp on blue folded cover to Joseph A. Santori (wine business) in Steinenstadt, Baden, Germany, red "New-York Apr. 15" circular datestamp on back, carried on the Ocean Line Washington, departing New York on April 19, 1851, and arriving at Bremerhaven on May 5 after stopping at Southampton, receiving backstamp (May 9), stamp has toned spots tying it to the cover (faint stains on inside of letter), manuscript notations erased at right.VERY FINE. ONE OF ONLY FIVE RECORDED 10-CENT 1847 COVERS TO GERMANY. THIS REMARKABLE COVER WITH ITS ARRAY OF RATE MARKINGS WAS CARRIED FROM NEW YORK TO BREMEN BY THE OCEAN STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY.
This outstanding cover is one of five verified 10c 1847 covers to Germany, and it is one of the few with either denomination carried by the Ocean Line. The complex markings are explained in Burkhard Krumm's article, "1847 Covers to the German States," in Chronicle 256, which illustrates and describes this cover. The 10c stamp pays the double 5c under-300 miles rate from Schenectady to New York City. The "48" debit handstamp was applied at the New York foreign-mail office for the double 24¢ American Packet rate. The red "AMERICA/UBER BREMEN" handstamp was applied at the Hanover post office in Bremen, where the red crayon "18" was written to its left to indicate the amount owed to Bremen in gutegroschen (approximately 48c). The same clerk wrote "1-1/4" in red crayon at lower left indicating that the weight was 1-1/4 loth (double rate). Hanover added 2-2/3 gutegroschen for its transit fee and applied the red "20-2/3" handstamp at upper left as a debit to the Thurn & Taxis post office, which converted the amount to 89 kreuzers and added 11 kreuzers for transit to Wurttemberg. This total of 100 kreuzers equals 1 gulden 40 kreuzers, to which Thurn & Taxis added another 24 kreuzers for Baden internal postage, written as "1f40/24" at center. The total amount due, 2 gulden 4 kreuzers (124 kreuzers), is written as "2f4c" at right.
The U.S. postal reforms of 1845 set in motion the post office's efforts to establish a subsidized American transatlantic mail line with regular routes to and from Europe. The creation of the Ocean Steam Navigation Company and successful negotiation of the U.S.-Bremen postal treaty of 1847 were consequences of this long and involved process, the history of which has been documented by students here and abroad. An excellent series of articles on the subject, including research by Wolfgang Diesner and Richard F. Winter, has appeared in the Chronicle (126, 129, 149 and 159), which updates earlier published work by George E. Hargest. More recently, Dwayne Littauer and Burkhard Krumm have made valuable contributions on this subject.
1847 Issue covers carried by the Ocean Line are very scarce, as are 1847 covers to Germany (fewer than 35 covers can be verified). Only five of the six 10c 1847 covers to Germany have been verified, including the celebrated Heidelberg cover offered in one of our sales of the William H. Gross collection (Sale 1211, lot 158). The Heidelberg cover and the cover offered here were carried on the same voyage of the Washington.
Ex John D. Pope III, Dr. Leonard Kapiloff, Joseph Hackmey and William H. Gross. Illustrated in Stanley B. Ashbrook, Special Service, #32, pp. 231-233, photo 125. With 1985 and 2004 P.F. certificates.