1058 |
|
Philadelphia Despatch
Post, Philadelphia Pa., 3c Black (15L2). Cut to shape clear of circle
almost all around, every letter of "Phila. Despatch Post" unusually
well-defined, black "Paid" handstamp struck clearly and "R & Co." ms.
control, affixed with wax seal, cancelled by red "3" handstamp on large
part of folded cover front only to Mr. Shrack & Co. at local address,
datelined "Philadelphia 4/20" VERY FINE. ONE OF ONLY FIVE
RECORDED COVERS BEARING THE PHILADELPHIA DESPATCH POST CIRCULAR BLACK
STAMP. The Philadelphia Despatch Post is documented in an
advertisement in the Philadelphia Public Ledger (Dec. 8, 1842) and
in an expanded version with some differences (see Sale 825, p. 293, or go
to www.siegelauctions.com/enc/carriers/robertson.jpg for an image of the
revised ad). In the later ad, the stamps are priced at 3c individually, 31c
per dozen and $2 per hundred. Valuable-letter registration for 6¼c and a 6c
rate on letters beyond two miles are quoted (no examples of either special
service are known). The firm's address is 93 Chesnut Street, not 83 South
Second Street as in the earlier advertisement. The five recorded
examples of the Black circular stamps 15L2, which was actually the first
issued, are as follows in chronological order: 1) 1842 folded letter
(docketed "1842" on back, must be December) to Treasurer American Sunday
School Union, ex Caspary (lot 561), Hollowbush, Schwartz, Gordon N. John
(Siegel Sale 868, lot 2046, realized $29,000 hammer), 2) Jan. 13, 1843
folded letter to Rev. George Boyd, stamp cancelled by red "T"-shaped
handstamp, red "Paid" and "Phila. Despatch Post 10 A.M." timestamp (on
flap), ex Hall (Siegel Sale 830, lot realized 428, $10,500 hammer), 3) Mar.
20 (1843) folded letter to N. R. Potts, stamp cancelled by dots in small
circle, red "Phila. Despatch Post 3 P.M." timestamp (ms. "20" below time)
and "Paid", ex Hall (Siegel Sale 830, lot 427, realized $22,000 hammer), 4)
Apr. 20, 1843 folded letter to Shrack & Co., stamp cancelled by small red
outline "3", no timestamp or postmark, ex Gibson, Middendorf, the cover
offered here, Siegel Sale 878, lot 559, realized $13,000 hammer, and 5) May
19, 1843 folded letter to Booth, stamp cancelled by large red "3", red
"Phila. Despatch Post 10 A.M." timestamp, discovery example (1889), ex
Caspary, Boker. Ex Gibson and Middendorf. This is the stamp
illustrated in the Scott U.S. Specialized Catalogue. With 1997 P.F.
certificate. (Image) |
15,000.00
SOLD for $9,000.00
Will close during Public Auction |
1059 |
|
Philadelphia Despatch
Post, Philadelphia Pa., (3c) Black on Grayish, "R & Co." Initials
(15L3). On stout paper with very faint background lines, red "3"
handstamp, tied by red "Philadelphia Pa. May 23" circular datestamp
with matching "Paid" in frame and blue ms. "12-1/2" rate on 1843 folded
letter to Washington D.C., stamp has small blue ms. line applied by post
office and an additional ink smear at left, slight wear and small hole
along file fold VERY FINE. ONE OF TWO RECORDED ROBERTSON & CO.
STRIDING MESSENGER COVERS WITH THE STAMP TIED BY THE PHILADELPHIA POST
OFFICE DATESTAMP. A MARVELOUS USAGE OF THE WORLD'S FIRST PICTORIAL
STAMP. The first Striding Messenger issue (15L3) is very scarce on
cover and rare on covers carried to the post office for mailing to another
town or city. Only a few tied examples are known, and, of these, only two
have the stamp tied by the post office datestamp. Both are to-the-mails
usages and were postmarked at the Philadelphia post office with the
datestamp serendipitously tying the stamp. One is ex Caspary and
Middendorf. The other is the cover offered here. Ex West and Gibson.
(Image) |
12,500.00
SOLD for $8,000.00
Will close during Public Auction |
1060 |
|
Philadelphia Despatch
Post, Philadelphia Pa., (3c) Black on Grayish, "R & Co." Initials
(15L3). On stout paper with very faint background lines, three full to
large margins, in at left, red "3" handstamp, matching "Phila. Despatch
Post 10 A.M." circular datestamp on front only to local street address,
toning ties stamp, vertical file folds, Fine, rare use of the first
Striding Messenger stamp (Image) |
E. 750-1,000
SOLD for $1,300.00
Will close during Public Auction |