T. A. Hampton City Despatch, Philadelphia Pa., (2c) Black (77L1). Cut to shape as always, frameline almost complete, uncancelled, used on folded letter on blue-line paper to Easton Pa., blue "Philada. Pa. 5 cts. Oct. 5" integral-rate circular datestamp

VERY FINE. ONE OF SEVEN RECORDED COVERS BEARING THE HAMPTON 77L1 STAMP, OF WHICH ALL BUT ONE HAVE UNCANCELLED STAMPS. ONE OF THE GREAT LOCAL POST RARITIES.

Very little information about the T. A. Hampton post is known. Different students have located the same 1852-53 city directory listing for Thomas A. Hampton, a printer located at Marshall and 5th, but nothing earlier. In his CCP article on Philadelphia locals (Nov.-Dec. 1994), Calvet M. Hahn attached special significance to the fact that tobacconists named Gilbert Harris and Benjamin Hampton occupied the same address at 11 North 10th Street during the relevant years. Although the first names do not match the local-post proprietors' names, Hahn believed that a family connection might exist that would link the two local posts. Steven M. Roth also noted the possibility of an association, based on the sequence of dated covers (Penny Post, Oct. 1993). Given the similarity of the stamps and the association of names and addresses, another possibility is that the Despatch Post was neither Harris's nor Hampton's individually, but that they were partners -- the stamps with each partner's name could have been a convenient accounting method. Nothing is impossible, given the paucity of documentation.

This cover is the third of seven 77L1 covers recorded (see Siegel Sale 1025, lot 270 for a listing). One other off-cover stamp is also known.

Ex Gibson, Boker, Golden and Kuphal. With 1999 P.F. certificate. Scott value for uncancelled stamp on cover (with a P.F. certificate) is $5,000.00

Image Magnifier / Download

Power Search for Comparables