2020 Rarities of the World continued...

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT NEW YORK POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ISSUE WITHOUT SIGNATURE AND WITH A STITCH WATERMARK. THIS IS THE FINEST WE HAVE OFFERED SINCE KEEPING COMPUTERIZED RECORDS.

While stitch watermarks are occasionally seen on the U.S. 1847 Issue, they are extremely rare on the New York Postmaster's Provisional. Philip T. Wall discussed stitch watermarks on the New York provisionals in Chronicle 112 (p. 227), citing Philip H. Ward's 1926 article in Mekeel's Stamp News about a stitch watermark example that was the first Ward had ever encountered. Wall stated that this is the only reference he had ever read about the variety and had never encountered one himself.

With 2012 P.S.E. certificate (XF-Superb 95; unpriced in SMQ). This is by far the highest grade awarded to a Scott 9X1e (without signature) by P.S.E. The next highest grade is VF 80. In fact, the main listing for the 5c New York, the much more common Scott 9X1 with "ACM" signature, does not have any stamps graded above 95 (and only two at 95). Scott value without premium for the stitch watermark (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL SHEET OF THE PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL WITH ORIGINAL GUM.

On August 24, 1846, the Providence, Rhode Island, postmaster, Welcome B. Sayles (1812-1862), announced the availability of his new stamps, which were printed from a copper plate locally engraved by George W. Babcock. The plate was originally intended to comprise sixteen subjects, arranged four by four, including twelve 5c and four 10c denominations. The total face value of a sheet printed from the plate in this original format would have been one dollar. After the layout lines were etched into the copper surface, the decision was made to reduce the number of subjects to twelve, comprising eleven 5c denominations and one 10c subject at the top right of the printed sheet. The finished plate and order for printing was given to Henry A. Hidden & Company, a large commercial printer of bank notes. The assistant postmaster, Robert H. Barton, applied gum to the backs of the sheets from two bundles (200 sheets). Two more bundles were subsequently gummed in a similar manner. Thus, 400 of the 500 sheets were gummed at the post office, and the remaining 100 sheets were left ungummed. The ungummed remainder sheets were found and gummed years later, but that gum is thick, brown and lumpy. The original gum, as seen on the sheet offered here, is evenly applied and light in color.

With 1991 P.F. certificate (Image)

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Get Market Data for [United States 10X2a]

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE UNCANCELLED PAIR OF THE 5-CENT ST. LOUIS POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON GREENISH PAPER. ONLY FOUR UNCANCELLED MULTIPLES ARE RECORDED.

Ex Faiman. Scott value $100,000.00 as two unused singles. (Image)

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FINE. A RARE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT ST. LOUIS PROVISIONAL ON GREENISH PAPER WITH A HANDSTAMP CANCEL.

Scott value of $8,000.00 is for a normally pen-cancelled stamp off cover (footnote states: "Values for used off-cover stamps are for pen-cancelled copies. Handstamp cancelled copies sell for much more.") (Image)

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VERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT ST. LOUIS POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON GREEN PAPER.

Ex Faiman. With 1976 P.F. certificate (Image)

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FRESH AND FINE. A SCARCE EARLY USE OF THE 10-CENT ST. LOUIS POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON GREENISH PAPER ON A COVER FROM THE FAMOUS CHARNLEY & WHELEN CORRESPONDENCE.

The St. Louis "Bears" were issued by Postmaster John M. Wimer from November 1845 until the first United States General Issue became available in July 1847. The stamps were issued in three denominations -- 5c and 10c at first and a 20c denomination later -- and were sold at a premium over face value to pay the cost of printing. This November 18, 1845, cover is an early use (EDU is November 13).

Ex Faiman. With 1979 P.F. certificate. Scott value on cover $14,000.00 (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND EXTREMELY RARE LARGE-MARGINED SOUND PAIR OF THE 10-CENT ST. LOUIS POSTMASTER’S PROVISIONAL ON GRAY LILAC PAPER. A MAGNIFICENT SHOWPIECE.

The St. Louis Bears” were issued by Postmaster John M. Wimer from November 1845 until the first United States General Issue became available in July 1847. The stamps were issued in three denominations -- 5c, 10c and 20c -- and were sold at a premium over face value to pay the costs of printing. All of the stamps were printed from a single copper plate of six subjects (2 x 3) engraved by J. M. Kershaw. The plate underwent two significant modifications. Philatelists identify each state of the plate as Plates 1, 2 and 3, but in fact the same piece of metal was used in each state. The different states of the plate reflect the substitution of two of the three 5c denominations in the left column for 20c denominations, and back again to three 5c. The right column, as demonstrated by this pair, was never altered and remained as 10c denominations throughout the life of the plate. Each engraving of the 10c design differs slightly, particularly in the lines underneath Post Office” at bottom, which aids in identifying positions.

With 1985, 2007 and 2014 P.F. certificates. Scott value $29,000.00 (Image)

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Get Market Data for [United States 11X5]