Sale 1334 — The Dr. George Haikel Collection: Stamps and Covers of Exceptional Beauty and Rarity
Sale Date — Tuesday, 12 November, 2024
Category — Fancy Cancellations
3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A). Full margins to barely in, cancelled by perfect strike of negative "Used & Done For" fancy cancel of Fair Haven, Connecticut (Skinner-Eno LC-NP7) on cover to South Hadley, Massachusetts, matching "Fair Haven Conn. Oct. 20" circular datestamp, stamp with tiny corner crease at top right
EXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB STRIKE OF THE RARE NEGATIVE "USED & DONE FOR" FANCY CANCELLATION. ONLY TWO ARE RECORDED ON COVER, AND THIS IS THE FINER OF THE TWO. ONE OF THE MOST OUTSTANDING FANCY CANCELLATIONS OF THE CLASSIC IMPERFORATE STAMP ERA.
This large, bold cancellation with its negative letters was intended to leave no doubt that the stamp was indeed "used and done for" and could not be reused.
From our 1987 Rarities of the World sale (probably ex Rust) and ex "Artemis". With 1987 and 2011 P.F. certificates.
1c Blue (63). Rich color, tied by perfect strike of Man with Hat fancy cancel of Waterbury, Connecticut (Rohloff E-5) on small cover to Rev. Joseph Anderson in Waterbury, 1c drop rate, "Waterbury Con. Apr. 22 '66" double-circle datestamp, diagonal cover crease thru datestamp but clear of stamp and fancy cancel, one side flap removed
EXTREMELY FINE STRIKE OF THE WATERBURY MAN WITH HAT FANCY CANCELLATION. A MARVELOUS EXAMPLE OF POSTMASTER JOHN W. HILL'S ARTISTRY AND IMAGINATION. ONLY TWO ONE-CENT 1861 COVERS ARE RECORDED WITH THIS CANCELLATION.
Notation on back indicates this was acquired from Harry Keffer in 1952. Ex Bailar. With 2001 and 2015 P.F. certificates.
3c Rose (65). Tied by beautifully clear strike of Bridgeport Fireman fancy cancel of Waterbury, Connecticut (Rohloff E-6) on cover to Detroit, Michigan, matching "Waterbury Con. Apr. 25 '66" double-circle datestamp, missing backflap
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL DETAILED STRIKE OF THE BRIDGEPORT FIREMAN FANCY CANCEL OF WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT, AND THE EARLIEST KNOWN USE. ONLY SIXTEEN COVERS ARE RECORDED, AND THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST.
This cancel was inspired by the annual Bridgeport Fireman's Parade through Waterbury. William T. Crowe records sixteen covers with this cancel, used from April 25 through June 3, 1866. This is the earliest recorded use in both the Rohloff book and the Crowe census.
From our 2014 Rarities sale. With 2014 P.F. certificate.
3c Rose (65). Centered to left, tied by exceptionally clear strike of Man Smoking Pipe fancy cancel of Waterbury, Connecticut (Rohloff E-1), part strike of "Waterbury Con. Sep. 20, '67" double-circle datestamp on cover to Blackstone, Massachusetts, barely reduced at left
EXTREMELY FINE STRIKE OF THE INTRICATELY CARVED MAN SMOKING PIPE FANCY CANCELLATION OF WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT.
Ex Matthies, Grunin and "Artemis". With 1980 and 2011 P.F. certificates.
3c Rose (65). Bright color, tied by perfect strike of Fish fancy cancel of Waterbury, Connecticut (Rohloff A-12) and "Waterbury Con. Aug. 16 '66" double-circle datestamp on cover to Saugatuck, Connecticut, receipt docketing at left
EXTREMELY FINE STRIKE OF WATERBURY POSTMASTER JOHN W. HILL'S HAND-CARVED TRIBUTE TO FISHING SEASON.
Ex Knapp and Ishikawa (acquired by Dr. Haikel in 1993 Christie's Robson Lowe sale). With 1993 P.F. certificate.
3c Rose (65). Brilliant color, tied by perfect strike of Eagle & Shield fancy cancel of Waterbury, Connecticut (Rohloff A-8) and "Waterbury Con. Jan. 13 '66" double-circle datestamp on small blue cover to Miss Lizzie C. Potter in Bloomfield, New Jersey, barely reduced at right
EXTREMELY FINE STRIKE OF THE WATERBURY EAGLE & SHIELD FANCY CANCEL ON AN IMMACULATE COVER.
Ex Ishikawa (acquired by Dr. Haikel in 1993 Christie's Robson Lowe sale). With 1993 P.F. certificate.
3c Rose (65). Brilliant color, tied by perfect strike of Skull & Crossbones fancy cancel of Waterbury, Connecticut (Rohloff R-1) on cover to Saugatuck Conn., "Waterbury Conn. Apr. 19, '66" double-circle datestamp, docketing at left, missing top flap
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL STRIKE OF THE WATERBURY SKULL & CROSSBONES ON COVER—A MESSAGE TO EVERYONE THAT THE STAMP WAS "DEAD" AND COULD NOT BE USED AGAIN.
Ex Dr. Jackson, Haas and Dr. Takahashi. With 1990 P.F. certificate.
2c Black (73). Tied by perfect strike of Devil & Pitchfork in Circle fancy cancel of West Meriden, Connecticut (Skinner-Eno PH-F 40) on buff cover to Windsor, Connecticut, equally clear "West Meriden Conn. Aug. 29" circular datestamp
EXTREMELY FINE STRIKE OF THE DEVIL & PITCHFORK FANCY CANCEL OF WEST MERIDEN, CONNECTICUT. VERY FEW ARE KNOWN USED WITH THE BLACK JACK ISSUE.
Census records contain the following three genuine examples with 2c Black Jacks (in chronological order, all 1866 dates): 1) Jun. 1 to Meriden Conn. with U.S. Internal Revenue printed corner card, weak strike, stamp defective (Sale 834, lot 512); 2) Aug. 1 to Wallingford Conn. with U.S. Internal Revenue printed corner card, cover with two tiny faults, ex Lehman, Dr. Rorke, Faust (Sale 1181, lot 1319); and 3) Aug. 29 to Windsor Conn., unsealed circular-rate cover, the cover offered here.
From our Sale 834 (lot 488). Ex Fosdyke-Ray. With 1981 and 2010 P.F. certificates.
30c Orange (71). Radiant color, used with 15c Black (77), cancelled by negative Star of David in circle fancy cancels, red "New-Haven Ct. Apr. 12" (1867) double-circle datestamp on mourning cover to Bangkok, Siam (Thailand), addressed to Mrs. Dr. Samuel House, sender's directive "Via Southampton overland", red "24" credit handstamp, red "1" British Colonial credit marking, New York (Apr. 13) datestamp, red "London Paid 25 AP 67" datestamp also ties 30c
VERY FINE. A GORGEOUS MOURNING COVER BEARING THE 30-CENT AND 15-CENT 1861-66 ISSUE USED TO BANGKOK, SIAM. THIS IS WITHOUT QUESTION THE FINEST COVER TO THIS DESTINATION WITH 1861-66 ISSUE STAMPS.
Dr. Samuel Reynolds House received his medical degree in New York in 1845. He was appointed to the Siam Mission in April 1845 along with the Rev. Stephen Mattoon and his wife, although they did not finally arrive in Bangkok until March 1847. By 1852 he had abandoned medical work to undertake full time evangelism and, later, to also engage in educational work. During his first furlough, 1855-1856, he married Harriet M. Pettit on November 27, 1855, and was ordained as a minister in January 1856. Mrs. House also played an important role in the missionary and education work. In 1868 he was gored in the stomach by an elephant and sewed himself up; during his recovery he founded the first church in Northern Siam. The Houses left Siam in 1886 due to his wife's failing health.
We have offered only five others to this destination with this issue in all of our Rarities sales plus all auctions since 1994. One has a replacement stamp and the others have small faults ranging from file folds thru stamps to toning. No others have the eye appeal of the cover offered here.
Ex Haas and Paliafito. With 2007 P.F. certificate.
3c Ultramarine (114). Tied by sharp, detailed and complete strike of Old Woman in Bonnet fancy cancel of Waterbury, Connecticut (facing right, Rohloff E-10) with duplex "Waterbury Ct. Mar. 7" (1870) circular datestamp on buff cover to Hartford, Connecticut, small edge repair at lower right where nicked from opening and where slightly reduced
EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF FINEST STRIKES OF THE BEAUTIFULLY CARVED WATERBURY OLD WOMAN IN BONNET FANCY CANCEL KNOWN ON COVER.
The census maintained by William T. Crowe contains twelve covers with the Waterbury Old Woman in Bonnet cancel.
Ex Matthies and Coulter. With 2006 P.F. certificate.
3c Ultramarine (114). Tied by full and perfectly struck Mortar & Pestle fancy cancel of Waterbury, Connecticut (Rohloff O-6) on cover to Henry Chase in Abington, Connecticut, bold "Waterbury Ct. Jun. 17" circular datestamp, 1869 docketing at upper left, stamp with small fault at bottom left not noted on certificate, slightly reduced at right and minor edgewear
VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL STRIKE OF THE RARE MORTAR & PESTLE FANCY CANCELLATION OF WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT.
The Waterbury postmaster, John W. Hill, carved three different Mortar & Pestle cancellations. The Rohloff Types 1 and 3 (O-5 and O-7) were carved in 1867 and used with the large double-circle datestamp. This is the Type 2 Mortar & Pestle (O-6), carved in 1869 and used with the 1868 Grilled and 1869 Pictorial Issues.
Ex Rose. With 1997 P.F. certificate.
3c Ultramarine (114). Rich color, tied by perfect strike of Buttonless Shoe fancy cancel of Waterbury, Connecticut (Rohloff O-12) and by "Waterbury Ct. Mar. 21" (1870) circular datestamp on cover to H. B. Shaw in Alfred, Maine, second strike of circular datestamp and Shoe at right
EXTREMELY FINE STRIKE OF THE RARE AND DESIRABLE "CONGRESS GAITER" BUTTONLESS SHOE FANCY CANCELLATION. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DISTINCTIVE WATERBURY FANCY CANCELLATIONS.
According to Wikipedia, this style of buttonless shoe was invented for Queen Victoria in 1836, utilizing stretchable rubber (a new invention) at the sides in place of laces but still keeping the profile of lace-ups. Its feminine image was soon lost and was adopted by male wearers, at which time it was dubbed the Congress Gaiter or Boston Boot in the United States. William T. Crowe records twelve covers in his Waterbury census.
Ex Matthies and Eubanks. With 2000 and 2011 P.F. certificates.
3c Ultramarine (114). Bright color, straight edge at left, stamp with torn corner at lower right, tied by neat strike of Large Shield fancy cancel of Waterbury, Connecticut (Rohloff Q-9), "Waterbury Ct. Mar. 26" (1870) circular datestamp on cover to Henry Chase in Washington, Connecticut, erased docketing, barely reduced at right
VERY FINE STRIKE OF THE RARE LARGE WATERBURY SHIELD ON COVER. VERY FEW ARE KNOWN. A GREAT RARITY.
William T. Crowe records five covers with this cancel in his Waterbury census.
Ex Eubanks. With 1986 and 2011 P.F. certificates.
3c Ultramarine (114). Pretty shade, straight edge at left, tied by unusually clear strike of Large Bee fancy cancel of Adrian, Michigan (Skinner-Eno PA-I 37) on cover with Mansion House hotel corner card with small illustrated design to M. A. Northrup in Canastoga, New York, neat "Adrian Mich. May 25" circular datestamp, slightly reduced at right
EXTREMELY FINE STRIKE. A PHENOMENAL COVER WITH THE LARGE BEE FANCY CANCELLATION OF ADRIAN, MICHIGAN, ON A HOTEL CORNER CARD COVER.
The Adrian Large Bee fancy cancellation rivals the artistic quality of Waterbury postmaster John Hill's Bee creations. The post offices at Adrian Mich., Conestoga N.Y. and Waterbury Conn. used very similar Large Bee fancy cancels during the same time period. One wonders if mail passing through each other's office provided the inspiration to whittling postal clerks. Covers with this cancellation are very rare.
Ex Ishikawa (acquired by Dr. Haikel in the 1993 Christie's Robson Lowe sale). With 1993 P.F. certificate.
3c Ultramarine (114). Rich color, tied by perfect strike of Eagle & Shield fancy cancel of Corry, Pennsylvania (Skinner-Eno PT-E4) on buff cover to Youngsville, Pennsylvania, matching "Corry Pa. Oct. 19" circular datestamp, with original enclosure datelined 1869, barely reduced at right
EXTREMELY FINE. A PHENOMENAL STRIKE OF THE CORRY EAGLE & SHIELD FANCY CANCEL ON COVER. A BEAUTIFUL PATRIOTIC-THEMED DESIGN. VERY FEW ARE KNOWN ON COVER.
Ex Laehder. With 1996 and 2011 P.F. certificates.
3c Ultramarine (114). Tied by clear and virtually complete strike of "KKK", Skull & Crossbones fancy cancel of Union Mills, Pennsylvania (Skinner-Eno PH-S 29) on immaculate buff cover to New York City, "Union Mills Pa. May 18" (1870) circular datestamp, accompanying certificate notes that stamp has a tiny tear at top right which is truly negligible
VERY FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE. ONE OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED COVERS (OR FRONT) WITH THE UNION MILLS "KKK", SKULL & CROSSBONES FANCY CANCEL, ONE OF WHICH IS PART OF THE HIRZEL COLLECTION AT THE SWISS POSTAL MUSEUM. ONE OF THE RAREST FANCY CANCELS ON COVER.
Union Mills, Pennsylvania, was the source of several remarkable fancy cancel designs in the 1869-71 period, including the "KKK" Skull & Crossbones, Kleagle Mask (two versions) and the Horse in Hat designs. All indicate Ku Klux Klan activity in this Western Pennsylvania town during the immediate post-war Reconstruction period. John H. Beardsley was the postmaster for a brief period of time—February 9, 1870, to March 16, 1871—which coincides with the creation and use of the Ku Klux Klan cancellations.
Our records of this cancel contain three on cover and one on a cover front only. They are:
1) May 18 (1870) on cover to New York City, the cover offered here
2) Aug. 18 (1870) on cover to Canton Center Conn., Christie's Oct. 6, 1987 auction
3) Aug. 18 (1870) on cover, Charles A. Hirzel collection, Swiss Museum of Communications in Berne, Switzerland
4) Jul. 31 (1870) on cover front only, to Ashtabula O., PFC 576323
Ex Dr. Takahashi. With 1988 and 1999 P.F. certificates.
1c Gray Blue (206). Two, tied by two bold strikes of Large Skull & Crossbones fancy cancel of Stoneham, Massachusetts (Skinner-Eno PH-S 17) on cover to Ira Copeland in Brockton, Massachusetts, "Stoneham Mass. Jun. 20, 6PM 1887" circular datestamps, receiving backstamp, right stamp and cover with faint toning
EXTREMELY FINE. CONSIDERED TO BE THE FINEST OF THE FEW KNOWN COVERS WITH THE STONEHAM LARGE SKULL & CROSSBONES CANCEL. A SPECTACULAR DOUBLE STRIKE OF THIS GRINNING SKULL DESIGN.
Ex Judd and "Artemis". With 2011 P.F. certificate.