2007 Rarities of the World continued...
Postmasters' Provisionals (Baltimore thru Brattleboro)
| Lot |
Sym. |
Lot Description |
|
| 2 |
 |
 Baltimore Md., 5c Blue
entire (3XU1). Clear strikes of provisional markings, matching
"Baltimore Md. Jul. 7" circular datestamp on buff entire to Reading Pa.,
central toned spot from wax sealVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT BLUE
BALTIMORE PROVISIONAL ENTIRE. No. 30 in the Hayes census. (Image) |
6,500.00
SOLD for $4,500.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 3° |
|
 Brattleboro Vt., 5c Black on
Buff (5X1). Position 9 above 10, each has three large margins, clear at
bottom, each cancelled by red "Paid" straightline, the stamp at top applied
first and tied to lettersheet, the stamp below applied immediately after
and struck hard with "Paid" -- the impression ties thru paper, and offset
from the "Paid" above is on the back of the stamp -- matching strikes of
"Paid" and "Brattleboro Vt. Feb. 17" circular datestamp on 1847 blue folded
letter to James H. Wells at Hartford Conn., file fold clear of stamps and
markingsEXTREMELY FINE. THE ONLY RECORDED COVER WITH TWO OF THE
BRATTLEBORO POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL STAMPS. THIS IS REGARDED WITHOUT
EXCEPTION AS THE MOST IMPORTANT BRATTLEBORO COVER EXTANT, AND IT RANKS
AMONG THE MOST OUTSTANDING COVERS IN UNITED STATES PHILATELY. This
letter to James H. Wells states "I received the inclosed letter
yesterday...", which substantiates the double 5c rate for weight
exceeding a half ounce. It was discovered in 1936 along with two other
folded letters to Wells in Hartford, each with a single Brattleboro
stamp. The unpublished Brattleboro census by Philip T. Wall lists a
total of 52 stamps, including 20 stamps on 19 covers. There is no recorded
multiple of any size, and this is the only multiple
franking. Illustrated in Lidman's Treasury of Stamps (p. 59)
and Life magazine, "World's Rarest Stamps" (May 3, 1954). Ex
Caspary, Weill, DuPuy and Wall. With 1989 P.F. certificate. Scott
value for this cover is based on realization in the 2000 Rarities of the
World sale ($100,000 hammer). (Image) |
110,000.00
SOLD for $200,000.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 4° |
|
 Brattleboro Vt., 5c Black on
Buff (5X1). Position 2, clear margins to just in, cancelled by red
"Paid" straightline, second strike at right and matching "Brattleboro
Vt. Apr. 5" circular datestamp on 1847 folded letter to Wareham Mass.,
stamp barely affected by vertical file foldVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN
ATTRACTIVE COVER BEARING THE RARE 5-CENT BRATTLEBORO POSTMASTER'S
PROVISIONAL STAMP. Only 20 stamps on 19 covers are recorded by Philip
T. Wall in his unpublished census. Ex Hessel and Wall. With 1997 P.F.
certificate (Image) |
35,000.00
SOLD for $28,000.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 5° |
|
 Brattleboro Vt., 5c Black on
Buff (5X1). Position 10, full margins all around, intense shade and
impression, pen cancel at left, small thin spot at center, totally
negligible considering the superb appearance and otherwise excellent
condition of this stampEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE FOUR-MARGIN
EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT BRATTLEBORO POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL. ONLY 32 COIPES
ARE RECORDED OFF COVER, THIS BEING ONE OF THE FINEST. This stamp
comes from the sheet retained by the printer, Thomas Chubbuck, who sold
three stamps to collectors before selling the remaining block of seven to
L. H. Bragg in September 1870. Bragg, in turn, sold the block to John W.
Scott. The stamps from the Chubbuck block were eventually cut apart and
sold to different collectors. In the 1920's Raymond W. Lapham, with the
professional help of Warren H. Colson, reconstructed the Brattleboro plate
positions, including some stamps from the Chubbuck sheet. (Reference: "The
Plating of the Brattleboros", Calvet M. Hahn, Collectors Club
Philatelist, Mar.-Apr. 1988). The plate reconstruction with this stamp
appeared at auction in the Christie's October 1989 sale of the Weill
Brothers' stock. Ex Ferrary, Lapham, Colson, Weill and Wall. (Image) |
10,000.00
SOLD for $10,000.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 6° |
|
 Brattleboro Vt., 5c Black on
Buff (5X1). Position 8, bottom sheet margin with part of imprint
"Engd. by Thos. Chubbuck, Bratto.", large margins except where just
into frameline at upper right corner, red "Paid" cancel, two faint
vertical creases that are invisible on face of stampVERY FINE
APPEARANCE. ONE OF FIVE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE BRATTLEBORO PROVISIONAL
STAMP WITH IMPRINT -- THE ONLY UNITED STATES POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ISSUE
WITH AN IMPRINT. Only five of the 52 Brattleboro provisional stamps
recorded by Wall (32 off cover and 20 stamps on 19 covers) are from
Position 8, below which the imprint is engraved. Two of the five are off
cover, and three are on covers (one of which is cut in at
bottom). Although faintly creased, this stamp is among the choicest
Brattleboro provisionals. Only five off-cover Brattleboro stamps are sound,
and many of the others are cut in or have serious faults. This is among the
top tier of condition, and it has the added feature of an imprint. Ex
Wall. With 1984 P.F. certificate. (Image) |
10,000.00
SOLD for $8,500.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 7° |
|
 Brattleboro Vt., 5c Black on
Buff (5X1). Position 10, clear margins to just in, cancelled by red
"Paid" straightline, small surface scrape at bottom right, small thin
spotFINE APPEARANCE. AN ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE EXAMPLE OF THE
BRATTLEBORO POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL CANCELLED BY THE RED "PAID"
HANDSTAMP. With 1997 P.F. certificate
(Image) |
10,000.00
CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction |
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