Sale 1316 — United States Postal History
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 19-20 March, 2024
Category — Columbian and Later Issues
2c Brown Violet, Columbian (231). Cancelled by cork with "Tuscola Ill. May 28, 1893" duplex datestamp on elaborate "The World is my Field" Samaritan Nervine illustrated cover to Charleston S.C., front and back designs depict numerous scenes with maps, ships and proprietor S. A. Richmond portrait, back with more designs including skull & crossbones warnings about counterfeits of the medicine, receiving backstamp, stamp nicked at top, still Very Fine, an exceptional advertising cover, Samaritan Nervine was a medicine purported to relieve epileptic seizures and other diseases, Richmond was involved in a fascinating trademark case that reached all the way to the U.S, Supreme Court in 1895 (https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/159/293/)
Laredo, Tex., Registry Exchange Label (FX-LA1). With "940" manuscript number, used with 1c-3c 1895 Issue (264, 267, 268), 1c bottom imprint and plate no. strip of three, tied by cork cancels with "Carlstadt N.J. Nov 18, 1896" circular datestamp on 5c blue entire to Monterey, Mexico, purple "Laredo, Tex. Nov 22 1896" straightline backstamp, Monterey arrival circular datestamp (Nov. 25), Very Fine and scarce use of the Laredo Tex. Registry Exchange label, the updated census in the Bureau Specialist lists only 28 examples (2017, issue no. 1, this example FX-LA18)
1c Blue (264). Eight, comprising block of six affixed over edge of cover and pair on back, used with Samoa ½p, 1p, 1½p and 3p Surcharges, Samoa stamps tied by well-struck "Apia Samoa JUL 15 96" double-circle datestamps on registered cover to Camden N.J., purple "San Francisco Cal. Jul. 30, 1896" transit, U.S. stamps affected from placement over edge of cover, otherwise Fine and colorful use, ex Bailar
1c Blue (264). Horizontal pair, tied by "Philadelphia Pa. Jul. 4 8:30 AM 1901" duplex datestamp on cover with engraved label depicting Benjamin Franklin reading and pondering, with his trademark glasses, to Hingham Mass., barely reduced at left, Very Fine and attractive use of Franklin stamps on a cover with a Franklin portrait and used on the 4th of July
1c Dark Yellow Green, 4c Orange, 5c Dull Blue, Trans-Mississippi (285, 287, 288). Tied by "Washington D.C." registry ovals, light strike of "Washington D.C. Registered Jun. 17, 1898" First Day of Issue circular datestamp on legal-size cover with Post Office Department Official Business imprint, to Mr. D. S. Farrington in Wrentham Mass., handstamped registry number, 5c pulled perf at bottom, cover with vertical file folds at left not affecting stamps
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE FIRST DAY COVER WITH THREE DENOMINATIONS OF THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE.
The Trans-Mississippi Exposition was open to the public from June 1 to November 1, 1898. The stamps were not ready in time for the opening, and the official First Day of Issue was June 17.
First Day covers with the Trans-Mississippi Issue are rare. The following quantities are recorded or estimated by Henry Scheuer: 1c: 4-5 used alone (plus 4 in combination); 4c: One used alone (plus 3 in combination); 5c: One used alone (plus 3 in combination); Combinations on First Day Covers (one known of each): a) 1c and 2c; b) 1c, 2c, 4c, 5c; c) 1c, 4c, 5c (the cover offered here); and d) 1c, 2c, 4c, 5c, 8c, 10c.
With 1978 P.F. certificate. Scott value $75,000.00.
$1.00 Black, Trans-Mississippi (292). Used with block of four, pair and four singles of 1c Trans-Mississippi (285), tied by "Heron Mont. Jan. 9, 1899" circular datestamps on registered cover to Nuremberg, Germany, New York registry label, New York registry oval datestamp on back (January 16), receiving backstamp (January 28), one 1¢ stamp at bottom with flaw
VERY FINE. A RARE AND COLORFUL FRANKING WITH THE $1.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE ON A REGISTERED COVER FROM MONTANA TO GERMANY.
Perhaps 20 covers are known with this beautiful 19th century commemorative stamp, including approximately 14 with single frankings--we are aware of a similar franking, with nine 1c stamps and two 50c stamps, which was offered in our 2013 World's Fair Collection (Sale 1056, lot 430).
Illustrated in Neil, The Trans-Mississippi Issue of 1898 (p. 150). Ex Rosenthal and Gross. With 2020 P.S.E. certificate.
$2.00 Orange Brown, Trans-Mississippi (293). Rich color, tied by clear "Philadelphia Pa. Jun. 24 3-30PM 1898" wavy-line machine cancel on immaculate cover to Mr. E. J. Clinton in Ocean City, New Jersey, clear "Ocean City N.J., Rec'd Jun. 26, 1898" receiving datestamp on back
VERY FINE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST RECORDED USE OF THE $2.00 TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE -- ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT COVER RARITIES OF EARLY UNITED STATES COMMEMORATIVE ISSUES.
The Trans-Mississippi Exposition was open to the public from June 1 to November 1, 1898. The stamps were not ready in time for the opening, and the official First Day of Issue was June 17.
First Day covers with the Trans-Mississippi Issue are rare. The following quantities are recorded or estimated by Henry Scheuer: 1c: 4-5 used alone (plus 4 in combination); 2c: 12+ used alone (plus 3 in combination); 4c: One used alone (plus 3 in combination); 5c: One used alone (plus 3 in combination); 8c: Two used alone (plus one in combination); 10c: One used alone (plus one in combination); 50c: One used alone; $1.00: One used alone; $2.00: None known. In the absence of a $2.00 First Day Cover after 125 years, this June 24 cover is of paramount importance and likely to remain the earliest documented use.
Ex Dr. Jerome Motto ("Vanguard" collection, Rumsey Sale 11, lot 3633), William H. Gross and Edward Morton. With 2001 P.S.E. and 2019 P.F. certificates. Scott value for a cover without regard to the EDU is $12,500.
Trans-Mississippi Covers. Three items, first is 1c on small Ballard's Obelisk Flour box to Spartanburg S.C. with Louisville oval datestamp, second is 5c tied by "Collectin. & Distr. Wagon No. 1 Wash'n D.C. Macon No. 1, Trip 6, Jan. 16, 1899" duplex datestamp on cover to Santiago, Cuba, third bears 2c used with 1c and 2c Bureau issues and tied by Buffalo N.Y. duplexes on multicolored advertising cover to Hamburg, Germany, latter with small edge tears, Very Fine and attractive group
2c Pan-American (295). Vignette shifted upward, tied by "Buffalo N.Y. May 1, 1901" Pan-American Exposition First Day machine cancel on magnificent multicolored Exposition cover addressed to Prof. M. Loewy in Hoboken N. J., three different exposition labels applied to cover (one tied), neat "Hoboken N. J. May 2, 1901 Rec'd" backstamp, minor toning and edge flaws
A SPECTACULAR FIRST DAY COVER OF THE 2-CENT PAN-AMERICAN ISSUE, CANCELLED AT THE PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION IN BUFFALO AND BEAUTIFULLY ADORNED WITH EXPOSITION LABELS.
Of the approximately 61 recorded First Day covers for this issue, only 13 are on Exposition stationery. Of these, only four have tied Exposition labels. This is certainly one of the finest recorded examples of this issue.
Ex Dr. Martin, Price and Ambassador Middendorf. With 1981 P.F. certificate. Scott value $2,750 as normal First Day cover without regard to the Exposition cancel or labels.
2c Carmine & Black, Pan-American (295). Tied by "Buffalo N.Y. May 1, 1901" Pan-American Exposition First Day machine cancel on multicolored exposition mailing card to Hamburg, Germany, with May 11 receiving postmark on the address side, card with just slightly weak corners from mounting, still fresh and Very Fine, reported to be the only known first day use from the exposition to Germany, Scott value $2,750 for a normal domestic use
4c Deep Red Brown & Black, 8c Violet Brown & Black, Pan-American (296, 298). Tied by "Boston Mass." registry ovals, purple boxed "Registered, Boston Mass. May 1, 1901" First Day of Issue datestamp with pencil registry number, to noted philatelist George Worthington in Cleveland Ohio, printed return address from B. L. Drew & Co., a prominent stamp dealer in Boston, receiving backstamp (May 3), some edgewear including a few cover tears of little consequence
VERY FINE. A RARE FIRST DAY COVER BEARING THE 4-CENT AND 8-CENT PAN-AMERICAN ISSUE STAMPS. ONLY TWO COVERS OUTSIDE OF THE SETS ARE KNOWN WITH THE 8-CENT USED ON THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE.
Ex Fisher. With 1972 AFDCS certificate. Scott value $27,500.
50c Orange (310). Bright color, tied by "Hoboken N.J. Jan. 6, 1906 6 30 PM" duplex datestamp and oval grid on small neat cover to Germany, transit backstamp, Very Fine, with 1998 P.S.E. certificate
1c Green, Schermack Ty. III (314). Pair, right stamp with pulled perf at lower right, used with 2c Carmine, Schermack Ty. III (344) as well as two pairs No. 332 and sheet margin single of No. 371, tied by "Phillipsburg N.J. Mar. 9, 1910" duplex datestamps on foundry business corner card registered cover to Proctorsville Vt., purple "Phillipsburg N.J. Registered Mar. 9, 1910" double-circle datestamp, Very Fine and colorful use, ex Getlan, with 2006 P.S.E. certificate
1c Blue Green, U.S. Automatic Vending Co. Ty. I (314). Tied by bold strike of "Passaic N.J. Feb. 2, 1909" duplex datestamp on picture postcard addressed locally, Very Fine and very rare commercial use, only a few commercial covers are recorded with Scott 314 and U.S.A.V. Ty. I perforations—the known uses are from Madison Square Station N.Y. and Passaic N.J., offered here, ex Getlan
1c Green, U.S. Automatic Vending Co. Ty. II (343). Tied by "Portland Ore. Aug. 16 7:30PM 1910" machine cancel on picture postcard depicting the courthouse in Portland, to Wichita Kans., small tear at bottom left, some slight overall soiling, still Very Fine and scarce use
1c-5c Jamestown, Foreign Destination Covers (328-330). Balance of 39 covers from the Brody Large Gold exhibit collection mounted on oversize exhibit pages with detailed descriptions, each to a foreign destination, different classes of mail including letters, postcards, printed matter, registered, wonderful range of destinations including Europe, Russia, South Africa, Hong Kong, Philippines, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Cuba, South America, etc., also destinations to U.S. Possessions, a couple complete set covers present, some faults to be expected but overall a very attractive collection, see our website PDF for a complete scan
1c-5c Jamestown, Domestic Covers (328-330). Balance of more than 110 covers from the Brody Large Gold exhibit collection mounted on oversize exhibit pages with detailed descriptions, an exceptional study of the various types of mail and rates that were in existence in 1907, all illustrated with the three Jamestown stamps, a sampling includes letters, postcards, registered, special delivery, auxiliary markings, territorial, a few foreign destinations, cancel varieties and more, some covers franked with additional stamps, some illustrated, some complete sets, a few with foreign stamps and postage due, condition ranges from choice to some faults, only a couple covers with more serious flaws, overall a wonderful collection which took many years to assemble, we highly recommend viewing the complete PDF scan on our website
2c Carmine, Alaska-Yukon (370). Tied by bold "Alliance Ohio Jun. 1 3-30P 1909" waving flag machine cancel on First Day cover with glassine window, corner card for The McCaskey Register, indistinct Mass. receiving backstamp (Jun. 3), minor soiling, Very Fine and scarce First Day use, Scott value $3,000
2c Carmine, Hudson-Fulton (372). Tied by "Hoboken N.J. Sep. 25 6:30PM 1909" First Day of Issue duplex datestamp and oval grid on multicolored postcard to Hamburg, Germany, depicting Hudson taking possession of Manhattan from Native Americans, bright and fresh, Very Fine and desirable combination of design, destination and First Day use, Lawrence Haber records only seven overseas First Day covers, ex Haber, with 2011 P.F. certificate, Scott value $1,500 without premium for the foreign destination
2c Red, Ty. I, Coil (449). Tied by "Kansas City Mo. Aug. 14 7:30PM 1916" machine cancel on cover with return address for South-West News Company to Newton Kans., fresh and Very Fine, Scott value $1,500
$5.00 Carmine & Blue (573). Vertical strip of four, each with perfin initials, tied by blind ovals, used with 50c Lilac (570) and vertical strip of three of $1.00 Violet Brown (571) with similar perfins and 2c stamp, tied by blind ovals on oversize registered cover from Chase National Bank to Trenton N.J., Oct. 9, 1936 New York oval and receiving backstamps, minor edgewear, Very Fine, an impressive franking
2c Carmine, Ty. I (634). Bottom right corner plate no. 21402 block of ten from experimental Electric Eye plate, tied by "Washington D.C. Jul. 26 10:30PM 1935" First Day duplex datestamp on locally addressed cover, vertical file fold at left does not affect stamps, Very Fine and very rare, Henry Scheuer estimates that probably less then ten such electric eye first day covers are known, see PDF attached to this lot for comprehensive article by Pat and Ed Siskin published in First Days in Jan.-Feb. 1977
R.F. Overprints. Attractive collection of on and off cover, including 6c Carmine, R.F. Ovpt. Ty. g (CM7) tied by "Navale Poste 23-3 45" circular datestamp on cacheted censored cover to Baltimore Md., other covers include Nos. CM3, CM4, CM6, UCM1 (2), UCM2 latest known use, some off cover including blocks, some fakes, overall a Fine-Very Fine collection
3c Red on Buff entire, Die I, Double Impression, One Albino (U2 var; UPSS 3). Size 7, knife 20, watermark 1, bold strike of "New-York Jun. 21" circular datestamp and used to Fayetteville N.C., some toning bands, otherwise Fine and rare, unlisted in UPSS, with 2006 P.F. certificate