CV. 1,000

1, 1847 5c Red brown, single with just clear to very large margins including the frame line of the stamp to the right tied by a choice strike of the red fancy herringbone cancellation of Binghamton, New York on November 20, 1848 folded letter addressed to New York City, matching Binghamton town marking at the lower left and manuscript "Paid" at the upper left, the stamp with a small tear at the top right and a small portion of the left margin added; 1999 Philatelic Foundation certificate which notes the small tear, 1996 Richter certificate

Provenance: Katherine Matthies (R.A. Siegel Sale 353, 1969)

CV. 500

2, 1847 10c Black, horizontal pair with clear to large margins tied by red "Saint Louis Mo. Jan 29" town marking to 1851 folded letter addressed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, matching strike of town marking at the right, horizontal file fold not affecting stamps, Very Fine (Scott $2,900)

Provenance: Philip G. Rust (R.A. Siegel Sale 681, 1987)

CV. 500

7, 8A, 1851 1c Blue, Types II, IIIA, horizontal strip of six, positions 81L1E-86L1E, left stamp is a type IIIA (Scott 8A) and the balance are type II (Scott 7), cancelled by grids and just tied above positions 82-83, clear to full margins though just touching in a few spots, Very Fine cover showing the 6c trans-continental rate from San Francisco to Watertown, Massachusetts; 1980 Philatelic Foundation certificate

Provenance: Leonard A. Kapiloff (R.A. Siegel Sale 744, 1992)

Raymond Vogel (R.A. Siegel Sale 998, 2010)

This cover is one of the earliest recorded examples of the 1851 stamps being used from San Francisco and is the subject of an article written by Mortimer L. Neinken for the Philatelic Foundation in Opinions I. In the article he states that the usage is from 1851 and that he (Neinken) has seen far fewer stamps of position 81L1E than of the more renowned Type I (position 7R1E). Position 81L1E is an especially scarce stamp as the break in the outer line is wide and at the bottom, not at the top; additionally it shows a double transfer, one inverted. He opined that "This cover is one of the gems of the 19th century US philately."

CV. 2,500

14, 1855 10c Green, Type II, left margin single showing the centerline and huge margins top and right, just touching at bottom, tied by magenta brush stroke cancellation on 1858 cover with "Camp Simeahmoo W.T."(Washington Territory) town marking at the left, ms. dated "April 21 1858" and addressed to West Chester, Pennsylvania, Very Fine, 2019 Philatelic Foundation certificaternProvenance: Louis Grunin (Christies Robson Lowe, 1987)

In 1857 the British Royal Engineers established Camp Semiahmoo, which was later used by the American Boundary Commission as a base to survey the international border (even though it was on the British side of the border). The Camp Simeahmoo postmark is quite rare, as the post office was only open from 1858 to 1860.

CV. 500

17, 1851 12c Black, Plate 1, two horizontal pairs, ample to large margins except the right pair touching along the left frame line, tied by Philadelphia town markings and red "Phila Am Pkt 6" exchange mark on cover to London, manuscript "Steamer Pacific" at upper left, both pairs with small marginal flaws, Very Fine and eye-catching

Provenance: Judge Robert S. Emerson (Daniel F. Kelleher Sale 439, 1947)

CV. 500

CV. 100

26, 1857 3c Dull red, Type III, single tied by superb strike of "Old Stamps Not Recognized" demonetization handstamp on a cover to Princeton, New Jersey, equally excellent strike of "Philadelphia Pa. Sep 4 1861" town marking at the left and matching straight line "Due 3", the cover with an insignificant light stain/toned spot along the top center edge not affecting either the markings or the stamp, cover neatly opened and slightly reduced at right, light vertical bend at right extending through the stamp, still Very Fine and an exceptional cover as the handstamp does not normally tie the stamp nor is it struck as well as this one; clear 1975 Philatelic Foundation certificate

Provenance: Louis Grunin (Christie's Robson Lowe, 1987)

CV. 2,500

35, 1859 10c Green, Type V, horizontal strip of six tied by circular grid cancellations on 1860 folded letter datelined "New York Febry 21st 1860" with additional "via Marseille" notation, from the Augustine Heard correspondence and addressed to "Shanghae China," red "New-York Br. Pkt. Feb 21" transit mark at left, "London Paid Eb Mar 5 60" transit mark at right and magenta rate marking, docketing indicates received April 29, Very Fine and attractive cover sent at the British open mail rate,1969 Alberto Diena and 2019 Philatelic Foundation certificates

CV. 500

36, 1857 12c Black, Plate 1, horizontal strip of three plus a single 1857 1c Blue Type V (Scott 24), all tied by circular grid cancels on 1860 cover addressed "to Grobin, near Libau in Curland, Russia" which is now part of Latvia, "Washington D.C. Sep 17 1860" town marking at the right and red boxed "Aachen 2 10 Franco" transit mark, red crayon "14" credit, the 1c stamp was scissors separated with the left and bottom perforations trimmed away, the left 12c stamp with toning and the cover without small portions of the backflap, a very rare usage of the 1857 stamps to Russia via the Prussian Closed Mail route (37c rate) and even scarcer addressed to Latvia (the "Sevenoaks" Collection contained only one other cover from this same correspondence, with a different franking); 2001 Philatelic Foundation certificate

Provenance: "Sevenoaks" Collection (R.A. Siegel Sale 831, 2000)

CV. 750

CV. 750

CV. 300

CV. 250

CV. 500

70b, 1861 24c Steel blue, along with 30c Orange and 3c Rose (Scott 71, 65) all tied by Boston "Paid" in large grid on 1861 cover addressed to Singapore, E. I. (East Indies), manuscript "Via Marseille" and red crayon "52" at upper left, light strike of red London transit at center and red "Boston Pr Pkt Paid" backstamp, "American Academy of Arts and Sciences" embossed imprint on backflap, docketing on back indicates received "Feby 4th 1862," cover with trivial edge toning and tears not affecting the stamps or markings, sent via the 57c rate for British mail via Marseille which was introduced in December 1861; 1988 Peter Holcombe and 2019 Philatelic Foundation certificates

Provenance: Theodore Gore (H.R. Hamer Sale 1358, 1961)

CV. 2,000

72, 1861 90c Blue, single plus additional single 1862 24c Lilac (Scott 78) each tied by circular grid cancels on 1863 folded letter addressed to "Messr. Augustine Heard & Co. Shanghae China," red "N. York Am. Pkt Paid Apr 11" and double circle "London Pr 23 63" transit marks, Hong Kong July 9 backstamp, sent "p Hansa via Marseilles" (manuscript directions at upper left), the cover is very slightly soiled and each stamp is noted as having a small corner crease in the accompanying certificate, a classic 90c issue use; this cover is number 12 in the 1988 Starnes/Herzog census (Chronicle Vol. 40, No. 4, which lists only 7 examples of this particular franking); 1975 Philatelic Foundation certificate (Scott for a single 90c stamp on cover is $25,000 and does not price this combination)

Provenance: Sidney A. Hessel (H.R. Harmer Sale 2343, 1975)

CV. 7,500

CV. 500

119, 1869 15c Brown and blue, Type II, single with strong colors tied by circle of wedges cancel on 1869 cover to Paris France and redirected to Baden Germany by Munroe & Co. in Paris, red "New Paid York Aug 26 6" exchange mark at right, blue "Serv. Am. Calais" transit and black Paris receiving mark, redirection postage was paid with a France 30c Brown on yellowish (Scott 34) tied by a bold strike of Paris "3" star cancel, the 15c stamp with creases and the cover with small edge flaws including a small corner replacement at the upper left, Very Fine appearance; one of only four 15c type II covers listed in the 1869 Cover Census with foreign stamps paying the redirecting fee (three of these with French franking and the fourth with Turkish postage due stamps)

Provenance: Ryohei Ishikawa (Christie's Robson Lowe, 1993)

CV. 2,000

United States City Despatch Post, New York City, 6LB5a, 1842-45 3c Black on blue green, Double impression, single with dramatic doubling (1.5mm downward shift of the design) and ample to large margins, tied on folded letter with Valentine»s Day message (datelined "Feb 14, 1844") and folded into the form of an envelope, just tied by red boxed "U.S." cancel with a matching "City Despatch Post U.S. Feb 19" postmark at right, locally addressed to "218 Rivington St," cover with tears at the center not affecting the stamp nor the markings and stamp with tiny edge flaws at the top; Fine and rare with only about 5-6 examples of the double impression known (Scott $1,500 for a used single, unpriced on cover), 2019 Philatelic Foundation certificate

The USPCS census only records 3 examples of this stamp on cover, not including this cover. One, addressed to Andrew Jackson (3/1/43), demonstrates a slight shift upwards in the second impression. Another, addressed locally to a Mr. Hutchings in New York City (10/22/??) shows a dramatic downward shift in the second impression that is very similar to the stamp on this cover (the third cover, dated 1/25/43, was last sold by Nutmeg in 2006).

CV. 500

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Semi-Official Carrier, 7LB5, 1849-50 1c Black on rose with "J-J", uncancelled stamp on complete cover front with additional portions of the letter sheet on reverse, addressed to Lynnford Kentucky, lightly struck blue "Philada Pa Jun 17 10" town marking at right, Very Fine and choice (Scott for a "used" example $7,500)

Only two examples of this stamp on or off cover are recorded with the other example, also untied, on a cover with a 5c 1847. When both items were first sold in the Caspary Auction (March 1957) this front realized $1,100 and the cover with the 5c 1847 sold for $1,300.

Provenance: Alfred H. Caspary (H.R. Harmer Sale 1069, 1957)

Ambassador J. William Middendorf, II (Frajola Net Price Sale 4, 1990)

John R. Boker, Jr. (Private Transaction)

The first five Philadelphia Carrier Stamps (7LB1-5) bear intials in the last line of text: "L-P," "S," "H," "L-S," and "J-J." Although these were intended to represent men who served as carriers (as first identified by Luff), only "John Johnson" appears to have received the correct initials. As described in an article by Elliott Perry (Chronicle Vol. 34, No. 4), which illustrates the cover offered here, most of the early Philadelphia Carrier Stamps (7LB1-9) are known in two types: "Group I," which has elevated periods in the top line of text, and "Group II," which has periods in-line with the bottom of "U.S.P.O." Both examples of 7LB5 belong to "Group II," although the one-time existence of "Group I" stamps can be inferred. The cover offered here was the discovery copy, first reported by Eugene Klein in 1911.

CV. 1,000

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.P.O. Despatch Pre-Paid One Cent, 7LB16, 1855 (?) 1c Black on white, cut square, just into at top and left, tied by circular grid cancellation on dark buff cover addressed to Wilmington, Delaware, additionally franked with a strip of three of 1c Blue, type IV (Scott 9, margins to just cutting) to pay the to the mails rate, Very Fine and rare (considered one of the finest known examples of this stamp), there are only 5 examples of this stamp recorded in any condition and only two on intact covers, the other franked with a 10c Green and addressed to San Francisco (Scott notes, but does not price, this usage)

Provenance: Alfred H. Caspary (H.R. Harmer sale 1069, 1957)

Henry C. Gibson (Private Transaction)

Produced by applying a handstamp to the sheet margins of the US 1851 1c issue, both 7LB16 and 7LB18 are amongst the most novel stamps in the history of American philately. At the extreme left edge of the stamp on the cover offered here (right edge if oriented upright), the traces of the ornaments of the 1851 1c can be seen. Although the "Large Oval" type (7LB18) was produced using this same method it is much more common than the "Eagle at Top" type (7LB16).

The history of Carriers Stamps in Philadelphia is incredibly interesting and well-documented by Scott Trepel in The 1851 Issue of United States Stamps: A Sesquicentennial Retrospective (2006, Part VI). After using the typeset issues (7LB1-9) from 1850 to early 1851, Philadelphia began using the lithographed issues (7LB11-13) and the federal Franklin and Eagle issues (LO1-2) concurrently. From early 1853 onward only the Eagle issue is known used, until a cluster of covers appears in 1856 using what can only be called a "provisional" handstamped issue (7LB14/18), presumably stemming from a shortage of LO2.

CV. 2,000

Williams' City Post, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1854 9LB1, 2c Brown, horizontal pair, fresh color, clear to large margins except just touch at top right, usual brushed on original gum, light natural paper wrinkling, vertical fold mostly between the stamps, pinhole in left stamp, still Very Fine, the unique mint pair (Scott $7,500)

Provenance: John R. Boker, Jr. "Flintstone" Collection (Robson Lowe, 1973)

CV. 1,500

Williams' City Post, Cincinnati, Ohio, 9LB1, 1854 2c Brown, tied on small envelope addressed "Dr. A. E. Heighway/ at Capt. J. C. Culbertsons/ Northside 6th Street/ West of Mound" by blue circular "City Post" handstamp used by Browne & Co. of Cincinnati, with contents datelined "18 January 1855," stamp clear to large margins, the envelope with slight edge soiling from photo mounts and a couple tears on the reverse, a Very Fine and extremely scarce usage, 2019 Philatelic Foundation Certificate

The Siegel census, as of 2016, notes the existence of only six uses of this stamp on cover but does not include this one. A 2006 census by John Bowman published in the "Penny Post" records eight covers and does include this particular cover. Bowman records this cover as being sold by H. R. Harmer in January 1974 as lot 689. There appears to be only two examples of this stamp used on cover and tied by the Browne & Co. "City Post" handstamp. The other cover was sold as part of the Edward Knapp collection in 1941. Scott does not price this stamp on cover and tied by the "City Post" handstamp. It prices a stamp on cover tied by a manuscript cancellation at $4,500.

Claudius C. Williams (the namesake of this particular stamp) ran a local post in Cincinnati before being appointed letter carrier by the Post Office Department in October of 1854. According to Bowman, carrier service was available at one cent "to the Mails" and at two cents for local (intra-city) delivery. The local rate could therefore be paid with Williams' stamp (9LB1) or two of the federal Eagle carrier stamps (LO2).

CV. 2,000

Elephant (Rohloff A-3), superb bold strike ties 1861 3c Rose (Scott 65) on cover addressed to the Saugatuck Manufacturing Co., matching double circle Waterbury Con Apr 20 '66 town marking to the left of the fancy cancel, Very Fine and choice in every respect, an exceptional example of a highly desirable fancy pictorial cancel; signed "OK GE Jackson" on back, Rohloff rarity RRRR (not more than 5 copies known) with the unpublished Crowe census recording just two examples of this spectacular fancy cancel; illustrated in Paul C. Rohloff's The Waterbury Cancellations 1865-1890 (page 15, figure 3)

Provenance: Paul C. Rohloff (Private Transaction)

John R. Boker, Jr. (Private Transaction)

Gordon Eubanks (Private Transaction)

Paul C. Rohloff identified three different elephant cancellations used by Postmaster John W. Hill, the latter two of which (A-2 and A-3) were used in mid-April, 1866. Contemporaneous newspaper accounts show that a circus performed in nearby Hartford around this same time, and presumably it was the circus's presence in Connecticut that inspired Hill's delightful design.

CV. 15,000

Running Chicken (Rohloff A-11), excellent strike ties 1869 3c Ultramarine (Scott 114) on 1870 cover addressed to Henry S. Chase, Washington Conn., matching "Waterbury Ct Feb 21" town marking (manuscript year date) to the left of cancel, cover slightly reduced at left, still Very Fine; Rohloff rarity "RRRR" (not more than 5 copies known) with five examples of this fancy pictorial cancel recorded on cover (two of which have faulty stamps), this being one of the two nicer covers bearing a single 3c 1869 stamp; Philatelic Foundation certificate number 232,747 (not included)

Provenance: Henry Houser (Christie's Robson Lowe, 1990)

Dr. John Robertson (Private Transaction, 1994)

The "Running Chicken" is arguably the most famous of all of Postmaster John W. Hill's Waterbury fancy cancellations, owing in large part to the existence of a cover with three of the 1869 1c stamp and three strikes of the "chicken." There has been well-documented speculation over the years that Hill carved not a chicken, but rather a turkey running away from the Thanksgiving table (due to the cancellation's first appearance at the end of November). Regardless of the bird's true identity, this marvelous and whimsical design is perhaps the greatest embodiment of the spirit of creativity that drove 19th Century postmasters to create fancy cancellations. The "Running Chicken" is only known used between November 29, 1869 and February 21, 1870, making this cover the latest known use.

CV. 7,500

CV. 100

Crossroads, Double Segments (Rohloff C-8), bold full strike ties 1873 3c Green (Scott 158) on circa 1875 cover with "Waterbury CT Mar 11" town marking, addressed to New York City (March 12 backstamp), cover opened at right and with an 8mm edge break just to the left of the stamp but not affecting the marking, Rohloff rarity "RRR" (not more than 8 examples known), Fine and scarce

Provenance: John R. Boker, Jr. (Private Transaction)

CV. 100

Garden Paths (Rohloff D-3), excellent strike in blue ties 1873 3c Green (Scott 158) on July 28, 1875 cover (contents enclosed), matching "Waterbury CT Jul 28" town marking, addressed to Jamesville, New York, envelope neatly opened at right and with some very trivial aging, Rohloff rarity "RRRR" (not more than 5 examples known), Very Fine

Provenance: John R. Boker, Jr. (Private Transaction)

The unpublished Crowe census has recorded only three examples with this cancel in blue, including this cover, a postal card, and a postal stationery envelope. As there are no other Waterbury fancy cancellations known in blue ink, this cover is significant as the only example of a blue Waterbury fancy cancellation on a postage stamp. Despite their scarcity remarkably little has been written on the blue Waterbury cancellations, and as would be expected the reason behind them remains a complete mystery.

CV. 100

Circle of Four Wedges with White Cross (Rohloff D-9), extremely fine strike ties 1879 3c Green (Scott 184) on salmon colored cover addressed to Plantsville, Connecticut, light strike of "Waterbury Conn. Jul 26 6 AM" town marking; envelope, which has an 1880 datelined enclosure, open at top and right and partially along bottom (couple tiny edge breaks) and left sides, Rohloff rarity "RRR" (not more than 8 examples known) while the unpublished Crowe census has recorded only 5 examples on cover, Fine overall, illustrated in Rohloff (page 53, figure 52)

Provenance: John R. Boker, Jr. (Private Transaction)

CV. 100

Man with Hat (Rohloff E-5), extremely Fine strike ties 1861 1c Blue (Scott 63) on locally used Red and Blue Civil War patriotic cover depicting an Eagle flying with a US Flag (Bischel 4663 without verse), matching "Waterbury Con Apr 21 '66" double circle town marking, cover with small edge flaws including a sealed tear above the patriotic design but still fine, Rohloff rarity RRRR (not more than 5 examples known), illustrated in Rohloff (page 68, figure 73)

Provenance: Dr. Glenn Jackson (Robert A. Siegel Sale 369, 1970)

Amos Eno (Richard C. Frajola Sale 25, 1986)

Dr. John Robertson (Private Transaction, 1994)

John R. Boker, Jr. (Private Transaction)

Only two covers with this spectacular cancel are known to exist with an 1861 1c franking, although the other cover is not a patriotic. The Dr. Glenn Jackson Collection included an 1867 cover with a padlock cancellation (Rohloff O-10) that had an embossed flap and red and blue edges on its reverse, which that catalogue identified as the only other known patriotic cover with a Waterbury fancy cancellation. However, given the subtlety of that cover, we are confident in calling this by far the more spectacular of the two, as well as the only cover in existence with a Waterbury fancy cancellation that is readily identifiable as a patriotic cover. The combination of a scarce, attractive cancel on such a striking patriotic cover makes this, in our opinion, amongst the most desirable of all Waterbury covers, alongside the famed "Running Chicken" in terms of scarcity and eye-appeal.

CV. 10,000

CV. 100

Chrysanthemum (Rohloff F-3), excellent strike of a very difficult to find cancel ties 1869 3c Ultramarine (Scott 114) on Chase correspondence cover addressed to Washington, Connecticut, ms 1870 docketing, Rohloff rarity "RRRR" (not more than 5 examples known), Very Fine and choice

Provenance: "Chase" Correspondence (Richard C. Frajola Sale 23, 1985)

John R. Boker, Jr. (Private Transaction)

CV. 2,000

Three-Leaf Shamrock, Type 5 (Rohloff F-12), excellent strike ties 1870 3c Green (Scott 147) on cover addressed to Bridgeport, Connecticut, matching "Waterbury CT Mar 2" town marking at top right, cover with a few light bends clear of the stamp and light toning on reverse from previous mounting, Fine overall, Rohloff rarity "RRR" (not more than 8 examples of this cancel exist on cover) although the unpublished Crowe census has recorded only 4 examples on cover

Provenance: Paul C. Rohloff (Private Transaction)

CV. 100

Acorn (Rohloff G-4), choice full detailed strike ties 1869 3c Ultramarine (Scott 114) on dark amber cover addressed to Easthampton, Massachusetts, matching "Waterbury CT Feb 28" town marking to the left of the stamp, cover slightly reduced at right just trimming off a couple of perforations of the stamp at the top right, Fine and attractive, Rohloff rarity "RRRR" (not more than 5 examples of this cancel exist on cover), Philatelic Foundation certificate 232,775 (not included)

Provenance: Dr. Glenn Jackson (R.A. Siegel Sale 369, 1970)

Katherine Matthies (R.A. Siegel Sale 503, 1977)

Henry Houser (Christie's Robson Lowe, 1990)

CV. 2,000

Initial “A,” Type 2 (Rohloff K-2), excellent strike ties 1861 3c Rose (Scott 65, few toned perforations) on cover addressed to Prospect, Connecticut, matching "Waterbury Con Jun 20 '66" double circle town marking to left of the stamp, cover slightly reduced at right, Very Fine, Rohloff rarity "RRR" (not more than 8 examples of this cancel exist) and the unpublished Crowe census has only recorded 7 covers

Provenance: Paul C. Rohloff (Private Transaction)

Gordon Eubanks (Private Transaction)

John R. Boker, Jr. (Private Transaction)

CV. 100

Initial “W” with Serifs at the top (Rohloff K-15), bold "on-the-nose" strike on 1861 3c Rose (Scott 65) on cover addressed to Shelburne, Massachusetts, matching double circle "Waterbury Con Mar 2 '66" town marking just ties stamp, cover with small tear and diagonal crease at the top center passes to the left of the town marking, Fine, Rohloff rarity "RR" (not more than 15 copies known), Philatelic Foundation certificate # 232,799 (not included)

Provenance: Henry Houser (Christie's Robson Lowe, 1990)

John R. Boker, Jr. (Private Transaction)

CV. 100

Holly Sprig (Rohloff L-4), excellent strike of this complicated cancel and matching "Waterbury CT Dec 28" town marking tie 1869 3c Ultramarine (Scott 114) on cover addressed to Baltimore, Maryland, Very Fine and one of the nicer strikes of this cancel, Rohloff rarity "RRR" (not more than 8 examples of this cancel exist on cover)

CV. 100

Maple Leaf (Rohloff L-6), bold strike ties 1869 3c Ultramarine (Scott 114) on cover addressed to Aiken SC, matching "Waterbury CT Apr 7" town marking, cover with tear that passes under the stamp, still Very Fine, Rohloff rarity "RRRR" (not more than five covers known), illustrated in Rohloff (page 144, figure 158)

Provenance: Clarence Eagle (Morgenthau Sale, 1923)

Paul C. Rohloff (Private Transaction)

Gordon Eubanks (Private Transaction)

John R. Boker Jr. (Private Transaction)

CV. 100

Shoo Fly (Rohloff M-2), excellent strike and matching "Waterbury CT Jun 23" town marking tie grilled 1870 1c Ultramarine (Scott 134) on locally addressed cover, envelope neatly opened (and slightly reduced) at left, with 1870 enclosure included, Very Fine, Rohloff rarity "RRRR" (not more than 5 examples of this cancel exist on cover) while the unpublished Crowe census has recorded only 3 examples (and this is the only one with a grilled banknote stamp), illustrated in Rohloff (page 166, figure 197)

Provenance: Paul C. Rohloff (Private Transaction)

Gordon Eubanks (Private Transaction)

CV. 1,000

Barrel (Rohloff O-1), excellent nearly full strike and matching double circle "Waterbury Con Nov 9 '67" town marking tie 1861 3c Rose (Scott 65) on amber cover addressed to Detroit, Michigan, stamp slightly affected by insect erosion below the stamp (removes one perforation) and a second small hole above the stamp, envelope without portions of the backflap, otherwise Fine, Rohloff rarity "RRR" (not more than 8 examples of this cancel existed on cover), the unpublished Crowe census records only 7 examples, illustrated in Rohloff (page 178, figure 206)

Provenance: Mattatuck Historical Society (Harry B. Keffer Sale, 1959)

Paul C. Rohloff (Private Transaction)

Gordon Eubanks (PrivateTransaction)

John R. Boker, Jr. (Private Transactions)

CV. 500

CV. 100

Buttonless Shoe, Congress Gaiter (Rohloff O-12), choice strike of an uncommon cancellation ties 1869 3c Ultramarine (Scott 114) on cover with matching "Waterbury CT Mar 24" town marking, addressed to Aiken, South Carolina, stamp with small creases at the bottom, envelope with some light wrinkling, Fine and scarce; this short lived cancel was only used between March 19 and March 26, 1870, Rohloff rarity "RRRR" (not more than 5 examples known)

Provenance; Katharine Matthies (R.A. Siegel Sale 503, 1977)

Henry Houser (Christie's Robson Lowe, 1990)

Dr. John Robertson (Private Transaction)

John R. Boker, Jr. (Private Transaction)

CV. 1,000

Rosette, Eight Segments (Rohloff P-19), cleanly struck cancel and matching "Waterbury CT Nov 24" town marking on 1874 3c Green on white entire (Scott U163, slightly reduced at right into indicia) addressed to Princeton, New Jersey, Fine use, Rohloff rarity "RR" (not more than 15 copies known)

CV. 100

Rosette, Eight Hollow Segments, Type I (Rohloff P-25), choice strike ties 1873 3c Green (Scott 158) on cover with matching "Waterbury Conn Feb 20 12M" town marking, addressed to Wilbraham, Massachusetts, cover with trivial toning along the top edge and in the address area, Fine, Rohloff rarity "RRR" (not more than 8 copies known)

CV. 100

“A J” on Tombstone (Rohloff R-5), inverted strike ties 1867 3c Red "F" grill (Scott 94) on cover with lightly struck matching "Waterbury CT Mar 26" town marking, addressed to Warren, Connecticut, trivial tiny cover tear on top edge does not affect the stamp, Very Fine, Rohloff rarity "RRRR" (not more than 5 examples known)

Provenance: Paul C. Rohloff (Private Transaction)

Gordon Eubanks (Private Transaction)

John R. Boker, Jr. (Private Transaction)

This cover represents the earliest recorded date of usage (March 26, 1869) for a Waterbury "AJ" on tombstone fancy cancel, which was used only between March 26 and April 8, 1869. Postmaster John W. Hill created this marking to commemorate (perhaps celebrate?) the termination of Andrew Johnson's presidency, which ended March 4, 1869. After a battle regarding the attempted firing of Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, Johnson faced impeachment by Congress. Athough the House of Representatives approved the articles of impeachment, the Senate came one vote short of the necessary two-thirds majority to drive Johnson from office. Regardless, his presidency was seen as a failure by many, and his opposition of the 14th Amendment has marred his reputation to this day.

CV. 500

CV. 100

Bayonne City Dispatch (New Jersey), 9L1, 1883 1c Black, tied by proper violet 3-ring cancel and lightly struck "Bergen Poing N.J. May 19" town marking on cover addressed to NY City, additionally franked with 1c Ultramarine and 2c Vermillion (Scott 206, 183) paying the domestic postage for delivery in NYC, stamp full margins, cover is slightly reduced at left and the stamps with trivial toning, Very Fine overall.

This is the only cover recorded in John Bowman's 2002 article published in the Penny Post as being used outside of the local area of Bayonne, passing through the US mails and requiring US postage There is one other cover with the additional franking of a 3c Green (Scott 207), but as this is a local to Bayonne use, the stamp may not have been required.

Provenance: Brad Arch (R.A. Siegel Sale 825, 2000)

Edgar Kuphal (R.A. Siegel Sale 925, 2006)

As discussed in Bowman's article (Vol. 10, No. 4), there is some debate as to whether the Bayonne City Dispatch provided legitimate service or was philatelically inspired. The late date (1883) seems to suggest the latter, although research by Robert Kaufmann provides a logical explanation for the service. The present-day city of Bayonne was served by four government post offices (Bergen Point, Bayonne, Van Buskirk, and Saltersville), but delivery between these offices often involved sending the mail to New York City and back again, with delivery taking four or five days. Therefore a local service carrying mail within Bayonne would have been a benefit to local businesses. Ultimately, Bowman concluded that Bayonne City Dispatch was "probably legitimate, possibly philatelically inspired, and collectible in light of their scarcity."

CV. 1,000

Berford & Co’s Express, 11L3a, 1851 10c Violet, Horizontal tête-bêche pairs, two nearly four margined pairs (from the same block of four) with six strikes of the red "B & Co. PAID" company handstamps (one tying the left pair to the envelope and the others cancelling the individual stamps), c.1852 cover addressed to "Lieut. Bush,/ U. S. Ship 'St. Lawrence'/ Valparaiso," ms. docketing on back side indicating reception on "April 28th" and signed by a "WH Vincent," pair positioned horizontally with a light pre-use crease, the other pair was removed and replaced on this cover of origin and has a light bend due to a fold in the cover which has a small piece out at lower left, Very Fine and choice; 2001 Philatelic Foundation certificate (Scott $75,000)

One of two covers recorded bearing a Berford & Co.»s tête-bêche pair and the only cover with two tête-bêche pairs, additionally one of only four covers with Berford franking showing the 40c rate to the West Coast of South America. There are thought to be less than 20 covers total extant from this short-lived company, and only five covers with the 10c value.

Provenance: George B. Mason (Private Transaction)

Senator Ernest R. Ackerman (Private Transaction, 1928)

John H. Hall family collection (R.A. Siegel Sale 830, 2000)

D. K. Collection (R.A. Siegel Sale 862, 2003)

An article in the July 8, 1851 issue of the New York Evening Post, titled "The Government Beaten in Cheap Postage," reads in part:

Let the government come down as low as it may in its charges for doing what is properly the business of individuals, private enterprise, if left free, underbids it. It is supposed by many that the government has given the people cheap postage, and certainly the rates are low compared to what we have already paid. But Berford &. Company, whose Express office is established in this city, gives us cheaper postage yet.

After a tumultuous several-year existence that included frequent legal troubles with the United States government, advertisements for Berford & Co. appear to cease abruptly around April of 1854, suggesting the end of the service. For the few years that they existed, however, Berford & Co. was quite popular (as evidenced by the article quoted above). In the early 1850s Berford & Co. were advertising service to Rio de Janeiro, Valparaiso, Panama, and California. The 40c rate to the west coast of South America was most often paid with four 10c stamps (three of the four covers known), with the fourth cover featuring a unique rate make-up of a 3c stamp, two 6c stamps, and a 25c stamp.

Only three tête-bêche pairs of 11L3a exist (all contained on two covers), making this amongst the scarcest varieties of all local stamps. According to Elliott Perry this cover was missing the righthand pair when Senator Ackerman acquired it and the right edge of the cover was folded over. It was only at a later date that the missing pair was once again offered and reunited on its original cover. This unlikely occurrence adds an air of romance to what is already one of the most significant local covers in existence.

CV. 15,000

Philadelphia Despatch Post, 15L1, 1843 3c Red on bluish, initialed "R & Co.," cut square (only recorded example, all others are cut into an octagonal shape), lightly tied by large numeral red "3" and attached with a wafer on 1843 folded cover/wrapper with red "Philadelphia Pa. Jun 13" postmark, addressed to "Mr. Fredk Fritz, Present," cover with manuscript "Refused" above address, Very Fine; one of only 14 or 15 recorded covers with this stamp and the only one with the stamp cut square (Scott $8,500)

Provenance: Alfred H. Caspary (H.R. Harmer Sale 1069, 1957)

John R. Boker, Jr. (Private Transaction)

A 2013 Penny Post article Dr. Vernon R. Morris, Jr. (Vol. 21, No. 2) records 14 covers with 15L1, all used between February 15 and November 8, 1843 (R.A. Siegel reports 15 covers). The cover offered here is #3 in Morris's census. Following the British "Penny Black" and Greig's City Despatch Post in New York City, the Philadelphia Despatch Post was only the third entity in the world to issue stamps for the prepayment of postage (15L1, 3c red on bluish, and the earlier 15L2, 3c Black), both of which are extremely scarce. To this end, Morris states that "15L1 participated in the advancement of written communication through specialization and innovation of postal service dedicated and restricted solely to local service in one city." The significance of this cover, then, which has not been offered publicly in over 60 years, is considerable. Although primitive in design, the Philadelphia Despatch Post stamps represent an important step in the develpment of the American postal system.

CV. 1,500

Bradway’s Despatch Millville, NJ, 21L1, 1857 Gold on lilac, four margined single with manuscript cancels not tied on 3c Red on white entire (Scott U9) which is cancelled by a "Millville N.J. Jan 27" postmark, addressed to Philadelphia, entire with light creasing and soiling, Very Fine and extremely rare; a 2014 census by Larry Lyons (NJPH Vol. 42, No. 3) lists only four covers with this local stamp, including an ex-Boker cover to Philadelphia dated Jan. 17; given the circumstances we believe this date to be an error, and this to be the cover once owned by Boker (Scott "on cover, not tied, with certificate" at $9,250 and "on cover, not tied, with 3c #11, with certificate" at $12,000), 2019 Philatelic Foundation certificate (mentions "tiny gum stains")

Provenance: John R. Boker, Jr. (Private Transaction)

An enigmatic local company that has confounded collectors since it first appeared in catalogues as early as 1863. Lyons presumed the operator to be Isaac Bradway, and based on the dates of the known covers it appears the service only opperated between January and March of 1857. There are no known examples either used or unused off-cover. "Bradway's Dispatch," with an "i" in place of an "e," was the subject of a fantasy stamp of a radically different design by S. Allen Taylor. The cover offered here is the only Bradway's Despatch cover not pictured in the Lyons census; this is apparently the first time it has ever been offered at public auction.

CV. 1,000