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 3c Dull Red, Ty. II
(26). Creased and torn, used with Blood's City Despatch,
Philadelphia Pa., (1c) Bronze on Lilac (15L14), large margins to
slightly in, acid tied, 3c tied by well-struck "OLD STAMPS/NOT
RECOGNIZED" two-line handstamp on cover to soldier at Camp Seward,
Washington D.C., "Philadelphia Pa. Aug. 26, 1861" circular datestamp and
"Due 3" handstamp, part strike of "Blood's Penny Post Philada. Aug. 26,
2-1/2 P.M." double-circle datestamp at left, flap opened to show full 3c
stamp which overlaps edge, reduced at leftONE OF TWO COMPLETE COVERS
WITH THE "OLD STAMPS NOT RECOGNIZED" HANDSTAMP AND BLOOD'S LOCAL ADHESIVE.
AUGUST 26, 1861, IS THE FIRST DAY THE DEMONETIZED 1857 ADHESIVE STAMPS WERE
NO LONGER VALID FOR POSTAGE IN PHILADELPHIA. The contract with Toppan,
Carpenter & Co. for printing the postage stamps of the 1857 Issue expired
on June 10, 1861. A new contract was made with the National Bank Note Co.
The designs were changed and the old issue was demonetized, as large stocks
of some denominations remained on hand in the seceded post offices of the
South. An elaborate plan was devised for phasing out the old and
issuing the new stamps, which were not ready until mid-August 1861. To
begin, supplies were issued to major post offices. Then, the post office
would advertise to exchange the old for the new. Finally, after a short
exchange period, the old stamps would no longer be recognized as valid
postage. Philadelphia was one of the first to receive the new stamps,
and so the 1857 Issue and old-style embossed envelopes were demonetized by
that post office earlier than at many others. The new 1861 Issue embossed
envelopes were announced as available on August 8, with a five-day exchange
period expiring on August 13. The new 1861 Issue adhesive stamps were
announced as available on August 19, with a six-day exchange period
expiring on August 25. (Source: Elliott Perry, Pat Paragraphs
reprint, pp. 97, 140-141). After the expiration dates, any old-style
embossed envelope or adhesive stamp would be marked "Old Stamps Not
Recognized" and postage due. Nesbitt and Star Die entires are known bearing
the "Old Stamps Not Recognized" handstamp dated on August 17 and 19, 1861.
The earliest recorded use of this marking on an adhesive is August 26,
1861, the first day the stamps were invalid for postage in Philadelphia
(two covers recorded, each with 3c 1857, including the one offered here).
According to our Levi records, there are two other 3c/Blood's combinations
with the "Old Stamps Not Recognized" handstamp: a complete cover dated
September 14 (Siegel Sale 895, lot 101, realized $30,000 hammer) and a
front only dated August 27 (ex LeBow, Siegel Sale 886, lot 3064). Ex
Gallagher. With 1976 P.F. certificate.
(Image) |
E. 10,000-15,000
SOLD for $8,000.00
Will close during Public Auction |
