#11X5, St. Louis, Mo. 10c Black on gray lilac Postmaster Provisional, Ty. III, position 6, lovely example of this Postmaster Provisional rarity possessing large to extra-large even margins all around, bright fresh color and detailed impression, tied to entire folded letter to Messrs. Tyler and Rutherford in Louisville, Kentucky, the letter is datelined "Banking House of W. Nisbet & Co./Saint Louis, Jan'y 26/47", stamp is tied by red " St. Louis/Mo/Jan 27" c.d.s. and unobtrusive pen stroke, matching red "Paid" handstamp at right with ms. "10" and ms. "Jany 26/47" date above, additional ms. "Paid" and hand drawn pointing hand at bottom left, stamp with a tiny tear at right center, otherwise a very fine and an exceptionally choice cover; 2016 PF certificate..The correspondence to Tyler and Rutherford of Louisville, Kentucky is one of five major correspondences of St. Louis "Bears." This Louisville correspondence was discovered in a huge find in 1895 by a Janitor burning papers, a later group from this correspondence came to market in 1902 and was purchased by C. W. Mekeel. Many of the stamps on this correspondence as well as the four other correspondences have been removed from their covers resulting in their scarcity on cover. In addition it should be noted that the banking firm of W. Nisbet and Co. in Saint Louis was a regular user of these stamps on their correspondence over the entire period of their use. The earliest recorded usage of any Saint Louis Provisional was used by that firm on November 13, 1845. This cover being on gray lilac paper is one of the latest usages in January 27, 1847 by this same banking house. All in all an exceptionally handsome cover of the greatest appeal and rarity. (Image)

CV. $16,000.00