Fish, Waterbury, Connecticut, Rohloff A-12, choice strike ties 3c rose to cover to Saugatuck, Connecticut, further tied by neatly-struck "Waterbury Con / Aug / 20 /66" c.d.s., stamp with shorter perfs at left, roughly opened through back flap, an ideal example of this rare fancy cancel; ex Jackson, Rohloff, Eubanks (Private transactions). Illustrated in Rohloff, fig. 14, page 20).

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Large Bee, Waterbury, Connecticut, Rohloff A-13, nearly complete strike on 1c buff, adhesive with corner crease and tiny tear at bottom right, pulled perf at top right corner, yet a remarkably bold example of this famed fancy cancel; with 2023 Philatelic Foundation certificate.

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Small Bee, Waterbury, Connecticut, Rohloff A-14, ideal strike on 3c postal stationery cover, postmarked "Waterbury CT / Feb / 4", to Wolcott, cover with some adhesion marks, reduced at right just touching indicia, but a very fine strike of this intricate fancy cancel, with full strikes on cover being extremely rare. 

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Bridgeport Fireman, Waterbury, Connecticut, Rohloff E-6, complete strike showing "BF’ in hat and most details of face, tying 3c rose to cover to Wurstboro, New York, "Waterbury Con / Apr / 26 / 66" c.d.s. alongside, some very light aging at right, stamp lightly oxidized, not detracting from this rare and attractive fancy cancel, recorded in use only between April 25 and May 8, 1866.

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Bridgeport Fireman, Waterbury, Connecticut, Rohloff E-6, bold, somewhat worn impression ties 1861 3c rose to cover to Saugatuck, Connecticut, Watebury c.d.s. (7 May) alongside, a clean and fresh cover, with slight adhesive residue on reverse, stamp with small piece torn at upper left, cancellation extensively enhanced, yet a visually-pleasing example of this ever-popular cancellation, signed Dr. Jackson, but omitted from his 1970 R.A. Siegel sale; with 2020 Philatelic Foundation certificate.
Provenance:
Dr. Glenn Jackson (Private Transaction)
Paul C. Rohloff (Private Transaction)
Gordon Eubanks (Private Transaction)
John R. Boker Jr. (Private Transaction)
Rohloff records no more than eight covers known of this highly recognizable design. While this certainly underestimates the true number of examples extant,  it remains one of the most popular and desirable of all United States fancy cancels.
 

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Old Woman in Bonnet, Waterbury, Connecticut, Rohloff E-10, two bold strikes tie 2c black F Grill and 1c buff to cover to West Meriden, Connecticut, postmarked "Waterbury CT / Mar / 14", printed corner card, opened on two sides and slightly reduced at left, a remarkable two-issue usage, and one of the most renowned of the Waterbury fancy cancels. 
Provenance:
Katharine Matthies
Ryohei Ishikawa, Christie's New York, September 28-9, lot 606)

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Woman in Bonnet Facing Left, Waterbury, Connecticut, Rohloff E-11, exceptional strike on 3c pink postal stationery cover, adjacent ideal strike of "Waterbury Con  / Apr / 27 / 66" double-circle c.d.s., to Saugatuck, Ct., printed return address of the Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing Co., extremely fine, and the only recorded example of this fancy cancel, this choice strike showing the intricate detail of this exceptional design; illustrated in Rohloff (Fig. 81A), ex-Sampson, Hauser (Christie's Robson Lowe, December 13, 1990, lot 24).

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Chrysanthemum, Waterbury, Connecticut, Rohloff F-3, near-complete strike on 3c ultramarine, tied to cover to Southbury, Connecticut, from the Chase correspondence, postmarked "Waterbury / CT / Jan / 24", reduced at right, barely touching a few perfs and not detracting from the appeal of this rare  cancellation, with only a handful of examples recorded on cover, an outstanding fancy cancel; ex Mechin, Hauser (Christie's Robson Lowe, December 13, 1990, lot 27). 

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Heart With Arrow Pointing Down, Waterbury, Connecticut, Rohloff J-5, ideal strike ties 3c green to locally-addressed cover, adjacent crisp "Waterbury / CT / Feb / 14" datestamp, a choice strike of this fancy cancel, one of ten examples on cover recorded in the Crowe census and arguably the finest example extant, particularly desirable used on Valentine's Day, extremely fine, ex Weiss, 1990 Philatelic Foundation certificate no longer accompanies.

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Heart With Arrow Pointing Down to Right, Waterbury, Connecticut, Rohloff J-5, bold strike ties 1869 3c ultramarine to cover to Belmont, New York, "Waterbury Ct” c.d.s. alongside (14 Feb), a fresh and particularly desirable example of this popular strike on a Pictorial issue, Rohloff records no more than five examples, while the Crowe census records ten examples on cover, scarce and very fine.

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Circle of Hearts Enclosing Six-Point Rosette, Waterbury, Connecticut, Rohloff J-11, near-full strike on 3c rose on cover postmarked "Waterbury Con / Sep / 14 / 1867", to Blackstone, Massachusetts, cover slightly reduced along top, clear of adhesive, slight edge staining, a fine example, one of only five on cover reported in the Crowe census, and the latest reported date of use; ex Rohloff, Eubanks.

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Initial 'A", Type 1, Waterbury, Connecticut, Rohloff K-1, very fine strike ties 3c rose to cover to Saugatuck, adhesive further tied by very fine strike of "Waterbury Con / Feb / 8 / 66" double-circle c.d.s., docketing at left, cover reduced at right, clear of adhesive, roughly opened through back flap, not detracting from a bold example of this striking cancellation, struck on the first recorded date of use; ex Rohloff (Private Transaction), Eubanks (Private Transaction). 

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Initial "W" With Serifs, Type I, Waterbury, Connecticut, Rohloff K-14, ideal strike on 3c rose, adhesive further tied to cover to East Litchfield by crisp "Waterbury Con / May 12 / 66" double-circle c.d.s., a few trivial pressed filing folds, else a remarkably fresh cover and choice strike with exceptional visual appeal; illustrated in Rohloff (Fig. 147) 

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Three-Sectioned Leaf, Waterbury, Connecticut, Rohloff L-2, fine strike  on 1861 10c green, tying to cover to St. John, New Brunswick, British America, postmarked with "Waterbury Con / Aug / 22 /66" double-circle c.d.s., adhesive and cover with some toning, mostly around edges, small edge faults, but a pleasing and near-complete example and rare usage to a foreign destination; ex Rohloff (Private transaction), Eubanks (Private Transaction).

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Holly Sprig, Waterbury, Connecticut, Rohloff L-4, very fine strike ties 3c ultramarine to cover to Aiken, South Carolina, "Waterbury CT / Mar / 2?" c.d.s. alongside, cover with the odd small stain, an otherwise attractive example of this difficult strike; ex Gibson, with his backstamp.

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"Shoo Fly", Waterbury, Connecticut, Rohloff M-2, complete strike ties 1869 3c ultramarine to small orange piece, further tied by partial c.d.s., a very fine and attractive example of this ever-popular fancy cancel, of which Rohloff records not more than five examples. 
Provenance: Irwin Weinberg (Private Transaction)

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"Shoo Fly", Waterbury, Connecticut, Rohloff M-2, superb strike on 3c ultramarine, tied to cover, alongside "Waterbury CT / Jun / 24" c.d.s., to Hartford, Connecticut, roughly opened along top, reverse with hinge repairs, adhesive with toned perfs, yet a choice strike of this rare and whimsical cancellation, Rohloff records fewer than five examples on cover, while the Crowe census reports only three such examples; ex Knapp, Dr. Backson, Dr. John Robertson (1994), illustrated in Hahn's "the Cancellations of Waterbury."

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Bats, Ball, and Diamond, Waterbury, Connecticut, Rohloff O-2, choice strike ties 3c rose to cover to Shelburne, Massachusetts, postmarked with "Waterbury Con / Sep 7 / 67" c.d.s., tear to back flap and repair to back at left, else a very fine and choice example of this rare and whimsical cancellation, one of only six such examples on cover recorded by Crowe.  

A superb example of this rare strike, carved by Postmaster Hill in celebration of Waterbury Excelsior baseball team’s win over the Naugatuck Valley Nine in 1867.

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Mortar & Pestle, Type 2, Waterbury, Connecticut, Rohloff O-6, ideal centrally-struck example on 3c rose red "F" Grill , showing detailed impression, ink notation on reverse slightly visible from front, not detracting from the striking appeal of this rare cancellation, with 2019 Philatelic Foundation certificate.

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Mortar & Pestle, Type 2, Waterbury, Connecticut, Rohloff O-6, very fine strike ties 1867 1c grilled ultramarine to locally-addressed cover, postmarked with "Waterbury CT / Jun / 19" c.d.s., with enclosure dated the prior day, back flap largely removed, adhesive with the odd toned perf, else a very fine example of this rare cancellation, Weill Brothers "R.H.W. Co." backstamp, illustrated in Rohloff (fig. 211). 

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Left Handed Mug, Type 2A, Waterbury, Connecticut, Rohloff O-9A, fine strike ties 3c ultramarine to cover to Baltimore, Maryland, adjacent "Waterbury CT / Dec / 29" c.d.s., cover reduced at left, adhesive with some tone spots, else a pleasing strike of this scarce cancellation; ex Mechin.

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Buttonless Shoe, Waterbury, Connecticut, Rohloff O-13, full strike on 3c ultramarine, tied to cover by "Waterbury CT / Mar / 19" c.d.s., to Salem, Connecticut, large piece removed from back flap, 3cm tear at top of cover well clear of stamp, adhesive with natural straight edge and lower left corner crease, yet a crisp and very fine strike of this great Waterbury rarity, with the Crowe census reporting only three examples on cover, all postmarked on this date.

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Shield, Five Bars, Pointed Closed Top, Type 2, Rohloff Q-2, ties 1861 10c green to cross-border cover to St. John, New Brunswick, British America, postmarked with "Waterbury Con / Oct / 8 / 66" double-circle c.d.s., with "Saint John / OC 5 / 1966" double split-ring arrival backstamp, adhesive with some toned perfs and blunt perfs from being affixed near envelope edge, some adhesion remnants to reverse of cover, a fine and rare foreign destination usage, illustrated in Rohloff (fig. 253); ex Rohloff, Eubanks.

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Shield, Nine Bars, Solid Top, Rohloff Q-5, superbly-struck on 3c ultramarine, alongside equally crisp "Waterbury CT / Dec / 13" c.d.s., on cover with C.H. Gilbert Hardware corner card to Watertown, Connecticut, some adhesive remnants on reverse, adhesive with barest trace of the odd toned perf, a remarkably fresh and appealing strike, one of the rarities of the Waterbury fancy cancels, very fine.

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Skull & Crossbones, Type 3, Rohloff R-3, choice strike ties 3c ultramarine to cover to Washington, Connecticut, "Waterbury CT / Feb / 10" c.d.s. alongside, docketing dated 1870 at upper left, not detracting from the incredible appeal of this exceptional and detailed strike, a superb cover; with 2022 Philatelic Foundation certificate. 

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Skulls & Crossbones, Type 3, Rohloff R-3, fine strike ties 3c ultramarine to cover to New Haven, Connecticut, postmarked "Waterbury CT / Feb / 10", cover opened at right affecting some perforations, traces of extraneous red ink at right of stamp, not detracting from the appeal of this scarce and iconic fancy cancel, illustrated in Rohloff (fig. 265); , ex Rohloff, Eubanks.

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Six Point Star, Type 2, Waterbury, Connecticut, Rohloff S-5A, very fine strike on 3c rose, tied to cover front, adjacent "Waterbury Con / Feb / 20" double-circle c.d.s., to New York, next-day receiver docketing at left, horizontal fold, some light soiling, all clear of this fresh and attractive cancellation, only three covers reported by Crowe, illustrated in Rohloff (fig. 273); ex Rohloff, Eubanks.

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“34 in Star”, Hatfield, Massachusetts, centrally-struck on 3c brown red, on cover to New York, postmarked with Hatfield MASS c.d.s. (Jun 11), the odd spot of soiling not detracting from this rare fancy cancel; ex Grunin. (Skinner-Eno ST-C5)
 

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All Seeing Eye, New York, New York, ties 1861 3c rose to cover to Morris Island, South Carolina, New York c.d.s. (30 Mar) alongside, corner card of Leonard Scott & Co / Republishers of the / British Reviews / and / Blackwood’s Magazine”, light edge wrinkles, a pleasing example of this eye-catching cancellation, fine; with clear 2022 Philatelic Foundation certificate.

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Locomotive, South Hanson, Massachusetts, full strike ties 1883 2c red brown to piece, with “South Hanson” c.d.s. alongside (14 May), staining and a few shorter perfs at top, nevertheless a remarkable example of this intricate fancy cancel, and one of the only recorded complete strikes. (Cole Pi-67)
 
Donald Barany, in his May, 2003 article “The South Hanson Locomotive Cancel” (Chronicle, 198), records nineteen strikes of this cancel, including one entire and a 3c War Department cut square. These two items, along with the example offered here, are the only three complete strikes which also include a South Hanson datestamp, making this one of the most desirable examples extant.

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Locomotive, South Hanson, Massachusetts, struck on two 2c red brown, overlapped to show the complete strike, the primary adhesive particularly nicely-centered and with fresh bright color, showing part of additional strike at bottom, a lovely illustration of this rare and desirable fancy cancel; with 1993 and 1994 Philatelic Foundation certificates. 

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Man in Derby, Vicksburgh, Mississippi, struck on 1869 3c ultramarine, tied to cover postmarked Vicksburgh (12 Mar), to Lexington, Kentucky, slightly reduced at left, a scarce and charming fancy cancel, unrecorded in Skinner-Eno; ex Foote, Boker.

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Mask in Segmented Circle, Corry, Pennsylvania, ties 3c rose to cover to Erie, neatly-struck "Corry PA / Jul / 27" c.d.s. beside, a choice example of this rare strike, of which only a small number on cover are recorded. (Skinner-Eno PH-M12)

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Negative Crescent & Stars, Tarborough, North Carolina, choice strike on 3c pink on buff entire (U59), adjacent Tarborough c.d.s., date unclear, to Raleigh, some light edge stains, repair to back flap tear, but desirable strike of this rare fancy cancel; ex Robertson, Boker.
This visually appealing fancy cancel is unlisted in Skinner-Eno, but a comparable strike on a 3c 1869 Issue is noted in the “North Carolina Postal Historian,” Vol. 34, No. 4, 2015, and was earlier illustrated in Vol. 15, No. 1.

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Negative “XX”, Greenwood Depot, Virginia, bold strike of boxed negative “XX” Masonic design, struck on 3c rose, tied to cover to Petersburg, adjacent Greenwood Depot c.d.s. (11 Aug), a desirable example of this scarce cancellation. (FR-M3c 22).

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New York, New York, four covers, two franked with 3c rose, one 1869 2c brown, and one 2c Black Jack, each tied by different star, rosette, or segmented cork cancel to Great American Tea Company illustrated advertising cover, one 3c with enormous margins on two sides, the Black Jack cover with ornate scene depicting Chinese torture devices, covers with small edge flaws, a pleasing and scarce group.

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Preacher in Pulpit, Boston, Massachusetts, centrally-struck on 3c rose, adjacent Boston c.d.s. (16 Aug) to Lexington, small faults to adhesive due to being affixed at edge of cover, a rare fancy cancel; ex Robertson, Boker.  (Skinner-Eno PH-F104)

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Running Fox, Hockanum, Connecticut, on 3c rose, affixed to cover to Watertown, Connecticut, postmarked Hockanum (13 May), cover cleaned, accompanying P.F. certificate noting “genuine usage stamp with large tear”, not impacting the appearance of this desirable fancy cancel, with only eleven on-cover examples of any Hockanum fox-type recorded in the Duffney census, and only five of this “Type I” style, an appealing rarity; with 1988 Philatelic Foundation certificate. (Skinner-Eno PA-D 6)
 

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Running Man, New York, New York, largely-complete strike ties 3c rose to 1866 locally-addressed folded letter sheet, repaired tear at upper left, some adhesions to reverse, cancellation as been enhanced where tied, yet an exceptionally bold and impressive-appearing strike of this popular cancel; with 2022 Philatelic Foundation certificate. (Skinner-Eno PH-F 49)

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Shoo Fly, Toledo, Ohio, neatly-struck on 3c postal stationery cover, adjacent Toledo c.d.s. (7 Apr), corner card of the United States Law Association and Collection Union, to New York City, a lovely example of this whimsical fancy cancel. (Skinner-Eno PA 1s-6)

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Skull & Crossbones, Stoneham, Massachusetts, superb strike on 2c brown Bank Note, tied to cover by Stoneham, MASS c.d.s. (29 Sep), corner card of F.W.B. Worthen of Stoneham, to Charlestown, with same-day c.d.s. arrival backstamp, some trivial edge discoloration to cover, a choice example of this rare strike. (Cole SK-23)

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Two Cent Coin, South Gardner, Massachusetts, ties 3c rose to "S.K. Pierce, Chair Manufacturer" full-front green illustrated advertising cover, postmarked with "South Gardner MS / Nov / 27" c.d.s., to Millbury, Vermont, docketing at left denotes year as 1865, a choice example of this rare strike on a beautiful illustrated cover. (Skinner-Eno PO-Co 3)

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"UNION" and Negative Star in Pentagon, Mittineague, Massachusetts, ideal strike ties 3c rose to cover postmarked "Mittineague Mass / Jan /14" in matching blue ink, to Hadley, back flap roughly opened and some toning mostly confined to edges and adhesive perf tips, not detracting from the dramatic visual appeal of this rare fancy cancel. (Skinner-Eno ST-C 15)

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Union in Star, West Hampton, Massachusetts, ties 3c rose to 1863 cover to Springfield, postmarked West Hampton (18 Jul), the odd trivial tone spot, a very fine strike of this visually-appealing fancy cancel. (ST-C14)

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Union Soldier’s Head, New York, New York, group on 1861 issues, with lovely full strike on 3c rose, largely full strike on 24c red lilac, as well as double strike on 24c pair (ex Emerson), and partial strike on 30c orange, all hinged to card, 30c with horizontal crease, the odd shorter perf, else a fine group of this distinctive fancy cancel; Philatelic Foundation certificate for 3c rose no longer accompanies.

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"U.S." Scalloped Circle, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania,  cancels 1c ultramarine and 7c vermilion, the former tied to cover, postmarked with "Harrisburg PA / Feb / 10" c.d.s., adjacent red "New York Paid All / Feb / 11" transit c.d.s., endorsed in manuscript "via New York & England / Cunard Steamer 'Cuba'", to Huy, Belgium circular "Etats Unis Par Ostene" transit and c.d.s. arrival backstamps, a few small spots and light edge toning, yet a choice Bank Note issue usage with such a striking fancy cancel.

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Witch, Salem, Massachusetts, fancy cancel, two choice strikes tie 3c rose and separate sheet selvedge to cover, postmarked "Salem, Mass / Dec / 23", to West Amesbury, adhesive with straight-edge at right, extremely attractive examples of this rare cancellation; ex Grunin, Milton Mitchell. 

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