5¢ Red Brown, horizontal pair, four margins, strong color on deeply blued paper, tied by red circular grids on blue 1851 folded cover from the Whelan correspondence to Philadelphia Pa., matching "Saint Louis Mo. '10' Jul 1" integral cds, Extremely Fine; with 1990 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 1  Estimate $5,000 - 7,500. ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED 1847 ISSUE COVERS USED ON JULY 1ST, 1851, THE FIRST DAY OF DEMONETIZATION. This was the first day on which the 1847 issue stamps were no longer valid for the payment of postage, according to the demonetization of June 11, 1851. The other July 1st, 1851 cover was used from New York City. $0 (Image)

5¢ Red Brown, margins to just into frameline, small pre-use hole, pretty shade, tied by two strikes of red circular grid cancel on blue folded cover to New York City, matching "St. Louis Mo. '3' Aug 6" cds; 1851 docketing, Very Fine; with 1998 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 1  Estimate $2,000 - 3,000. ONE OF ONLY TWO 1847 ISSUE DEMONETIZED USAGES FROM MISSOURI. This cover was mailed at the St. Louis post office on August 6, 1851, 37 days after the 1847 stamps were demonetized. After June 30, 1851 the 1847 stamps were no longer valid for the payment of postage according to the demonetization order. Nevertheless, the postmaster at St. Louis accepted the stamp as a 2¢ overpayment of the new 3¢ rate to New York City. $0 (Image)

5¢ Red Brown, one cover and one front; first with margins to cutting, strong strike of red "St. Louis Mo. '5' Mar 25" cds on 1849 folded letter to Fayette Mo. about an applicant for the office of U.S. District Attorney for Missouri; second with three margins, tied by partial "St. Louis Mo. '5' Sep 21" cds on cover front only to Camden Mo., some bleaching, F.-V.F. pair, Covers with both points of origin and destination within Missouri are scarce. Scott No. 1  Estimate $500 - 750. $0 (Image)

5¢ Red Brown, four large margins, small light corner crease, cancelled by manuscript cross-hatching on cover to Manchester Conn., black "Brooklyn Ct. Nov 20" cds, Very Fine; with 2010 Weiss certificate. Scott No. 1  Estimate $300 - 400. $0 (Image)

5¢ Red Brown, cancelled by red square grid causing small internal fault, on cover to Swanzey N.H., matching red "New-York '5cts.' 5 Jul" cds, reverse with two strikes of red "Banker's Mansion House, Broadway, New York" oval handstamps, F.-V.F., ex-Craveri. Scott No. 1  Estimate $300 - 400. $0 (Image)

5¢ Red Brown, three large margins, just shaving frameline at top, strong impression, tied by blue "Philada Pa. '5' May 3" cds on blue cover to Northampton Mass., 1849 pencil docketing, Very Fine. Scott No. 1  $650. $0 (Image)

5¢ Red Brown, three large margins, just clear at right, beautiful rich color on bright paper, neatly tied by red squared grid on buff cover to Lakeville Conn., matching "New-York Sep 1" cds, endorsed "Via Bridgeport"; wax seal stain at center, reduced slightly at right, F.-V.F. Scott No. 1  $575. $0 (Image)

5¢ Red Brown, margins large to just touching frameline, deep color, tied by red grid handstamp on 1849 folded letter to Boston, Mass., matching "New - York, Feb 20" cds, Very Fine. Scott No. 1  Estimate $200 - 300. $0 (Image)

5¢ Red Brown, full to large margins, tied by bold "Philadelphia Pa. Apr. 21" cds on 1856 folded letter to Halifax, Nova Scotia, manuscript "10" and large blue "6" rating handstamp, endorsed "p. 'Cambria' via Boston", St. Andrews, St. Johns N.B. and Halifax (5.1) backstamps; stamp with tiny scissor cut at top, Very Fine and rare early use; Signed by Ashbrook and discussed in his Special Service. Scott No. 12  Estimate $1,000 - 1,500. $0 (Image)

5¢ Red Brown, margins to just in at right, tied by "New Orleans La. Feb 16" cds on folded prices current (printed on both sides) to Gènes (Genoa), Sardinia, reverse with "Boston Br. Pkt. Feb 23" cds, red London (3.9) and red Genoa (3.13) backstamps, Calais (3.10) transit on front with framed "G B / 1F 60C" debit handstamp and manuscript "10" (décimes) due rating; small cover tear at top, Very Fine. Scott No. 12  Estimate $500 - 750. AN ATTRACTIVE 1856 5¢ ISSUE USE DURING THE THREE MONTHS PERIOD TO ITALY. On January 1, 1857, a new postal treaty between Great Britain and France went into effect reducing the French due charges on mail transiting through Britain. On April 1, 1857, a new treaty between the United States and France went into effect standardizing rates between the two countries at 15¢ per ¼ ounce. The period between these two rate changes is referred to as the "Three Months Period". Only sixteen British and seven American packets carrying mail for France and beyond departed during this period. This letter was exchanged at New York City and carried on the tenth sailing during the Three Month period by Cunard Line steamer Africa, which departed from New York on February 18 and arrived at Liverpool on March 2. $0 (Image)

5¢ Red Brown, four large margins, tied by "New Orleans La. Feb 17" cds on folded cover to Bordeaux, France, reverse with black "Boston Br. Pkt. 25 Feb." exchange office cds and red British "9 MR 1857" transit, "Angl. Amb. Calais 10 Mars. 57" entry cds with framed "G B / 1F 60C" debit and "8" (décimes) due handstamps, reverse with additional "Bordeaux 10 Mars 57" arrival cds, Fine, a rare three months period usage. Scott No. 12  Estimate $400 - 600. Carried on the tenth sailing of British packet service during the Three-Months Period. $0 (Image)

5¢ Red Brown, Double Transfer, Type A, horizontal pair, pos. 79-80R1, full to large margins including right sheet margin, except just touched at left, cancelled by blue "X" handstamps that have been partially removed slightly affecting color, on 1847 folded letter to Norwich, Conn., matching blue "Evansville Ia. Sep 18" cds at left; file fold barely affects left stamp, Very Fine appearance; with 2011 PF certificate. Scott No. 1, 1 var.  $1,250 as normal pair on cover. $0 (Image)

5¢ Red Brown, Preprint Paper Fold, large margins except just touched at top left corner, tied by red "St. Louis '5' May 6" cds on folded cover to Sulphur Springs, Mo.; light edge toning, F.-V.F. and attractive. Scott No. 1 var.  Estimate $400 - 600. $0 (Image)

5¢ Red Brown, Two Singles, both with full margins, tied by red square grid cancels on 1849 letter and printed circular to Oswego, N.Y., matching "New York, Mar 6" cds; couple minor cover edge flaws, otherwise Very Fine. Scott No. 1  Estimate $400 - 600. $0 (Image)