| 629 |
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 New York N.Y., 5c Black, "ACM" Initials (9X1). Position 13, ample to large margins, cancelled by penstrokes and tied by red "U.S. Express Mail N.Y. N. York Oct. 13" route agent's circular datestamp with
matching straightline "Paid" and "5" rate handstamps on 1846 blue folded letter to Albany N.Y., vertical file fold does not affect the stamp, Extremely Fine and a rare use, fewer than ten New York Provisional covers with this route agent
handstamp are known, this example is particularly choice with the clear handstamps and the stamp tied (Image)Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com |
E. 750-1,000
SOLD for $2,000.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 630 |
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 New York N.Y., 5c Black, "ACM" Initials (9X1). Position 21 with sheet margin at left, slightly in at top, cancelled by blue manuscript "X" and tied by red "U.S. Express Mail N.Y. N. York Oct.
14" route agent's circular datestamp with matching straightline "Paid" handstamp on 1846 folded letter to Boston, blue manuscript "5" rating, addressee chemically removed from the cover which also affects the postmark, Fine appearing and rare,
with 1987 P.F. certificate, fewer than ten New York Provisional covers with this route agent handstamp are known (Image)Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com |
E. 400-500
SOLD for $300.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 631 |
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 New York N.Y., 5c Black, "ACM" Initials (9X1). Position 38, ample to full margins and deep shade, cancelled by small cross-hatch pen strokes, red ”RAIL R.” Long Island Railroad route agent's
handstamp with matching "5" and "Paid" straightline handstamps on blue folded letter from James Lenox sent via the Long Island Railroad to Boston, datelined "New York 7 Feb 1846" and signed by Lenox, stamp with some typical light
wrinkling, file folds well away from stampVERY FINE AND CHOICE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT NEW YORK POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL WITH LONG ISLAND RAILROAD MARKINGS. The New York provisional is rare on covers with any type
of railroad route agent marking, but this is the only recorded use of the stamp on a cover with Long Island Railroad (LIRR) route agent markings. It was sent in February 1846 by James Lenox to George Dexter in Boston and was carried from New York
City through the Atlantic Avenue Tunnel, then by an eastbound LIRR train to Greenport, Long Island, and from there by LIRR steamboats connecting with railroad lines to Boston. A fascinating history of the short-lived Brooklyn-Boston LIRR route is
found at http://www.brooklynrail.net/proj_aatunnel.html. This cover fits precisely with the chronology of the LIRR "through route" from New York to Boston via Long Island
Sound steamships and feeder lines. Commodore Vanderbilt played a part in this route, which operated from 1844 until 1847. From August 1844 though February 1847 the LIRR owned and operated a small fleet of steamboats: the Cleopatra, the
Worcester and the New Haven. These steamboats made the connection across the Long Island Sound between the eastern terminus of the LIRR at Greenport and the Connecticut rail terminals of the Norwich & Worcester Railroad at Allyn's
Point, and the New York, Providence & Boston Railroad at Stonington. In late 1845 the LIRR commissioned the construction of a fourth steamboat, the Atlantic, the fastest, largest and most luxurious steamboat ever built in the U.S. This steamboat was
intended for the LIRR's planned "through route" rail connection to Boston via the Fall River Railroad. However, it was sold to the N&W prior to its completion, as the LIRR's Fall River link did not occur. The Atlantic Avenue Tunnel is officially
the world's oldest subway tunnel. It was built in 1844 beneath a busy street in the City of Brooklyn (Brooklyn did not become part of New York City until a half-century later). The half-mile long tunnel accommodated two standard gauge railroad
tracks. It was constructed in only seven months, using the cut-and-cover method with hand tools and primitive equipment. The tunnel provided grade separation for the previously existing LIRR route on the surface of Atlantic Avenue and eliminated
vehicular and pedestrian traffic conflicts and delays. Bob Diamond rediscovered the long forgotten Atlantic Avenue Tunnel in 1980. The Brooklyn Historic Railway Association was formed in 1982 to preserve, publicize and provide public access to the
historic tunnel. (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com |
E. 3,000-4,000
SOLD for $11,000.00
Will close during Public Auction |
