"H" in Circle, nearly complete strike on 1870, 7¢ vermilion, H. grill, horizontal pair, rich color, a Very Fine and choice strike. Scott No. 138 $1,050. Weiss No. RE-L3  Estimate $500 - 750. THE ONLY RECORDED STRIKE OF THIS RARE CANCEL ON A PAIR. $0 (Image)

(Greig's) City Despatch Post, 1842, 3¢ Black on Grayish, Sperati Forgeries, four items; includes full die proof examples on gray and white papers signed by Sperati at bottom, a unused example on grayish paper and a "used" example on piece tied by boxed "Free" handstamp and portion of matching forged cds, Very Fine. Scott No. 40L1  Estimate $500 - 750. Complete images: View gallery or Download PDF (1.3MB) $0 (Image)

(Greig's) City Despatch Post, 1842, 3¢ Black on Grayish, block of 4, o.g., hinge remnant at top, never hinged at bottom, huge margins all around, fresh and Extremely Fine, a choice block of the first stamp issued in the Western Hemisphere. Scott No. 40L1  $2,000 for o.g. $0 (Image)

(Greig's) City Despatch Post, 1842, 3¢ Black on Grayish, four large margins, faint manuscript. "X" cancel, tied by orange-red "New-York Aug. 8" government cds on 1842 folded letter to Union Corners, N.Y., with red manuscript "18¾" rating, Extremely Fine and choice, a gorgeous example of the first adhesive stamp issued in the Western hemisphere, ex-C. E. Chapman, Caspary; signed Colson. Scott No. 40L1  Estimate $2,000 - 3,000. ONE OF TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE STAMP ACTUALLY TIED BY THE NEW YORK POST OFFICE DATESTAMP AND ONE OF ONLY SIX INTER-CITY USAGES. An extremely late use of Grieg's stamp - he was appointed as an official letter carrier by order of August 1, 1842, effective August 16; during the last months as a private post, it appears that letters carried to the mails were not postmarked by the City Despatch Post. $0 (Image)

(Greig's) City Despatch Post, 1842, 3¢ Black on Grayish, position 28, large even margins all around, tied by red boxed "Free" handstamp on fresh locally addressed 1842 folded letter sheet, with matching "City Despatch Post, N.Y., 13 Jun, 4 O'Clock" cds, an Extremely Fine gem, a late usage just prior to the U.S. Post Office taking over Greig's operation, ex-Hall; with 1992 P.F. certificate, signed George Sloane. Scott No. 40L1  $2,500. A STUNNING GEM AND CERTAINLY ONE THE FINEST EXAMPLES ON COVER. $0 (Image)

(Greig's) City Despatch Post Balance, exhibit balance of 6 stampless covers and 4 ephemera items; stampless includes first type cds on cover to Newark, N.J., second type cds on four covers including carmine-red and orange red colors postmarks, one out-of-the-mails usage with "Forwarded From, Howards Hotel, New-York." oval handstamp (a station for the City Despatch Post), ephemera include photograph of Greig, original business card for the City Despatch Post, advertising circular (locally posted) and a defaced die proof of the Greig's stamp, Very Fine. Estimate  $2,000 - 3,000. Complete images: View gallery or Download PDF (3.3MB) $0 (Image)

(Virginia City Pony Express) Wells, Fargo & Co., Express, Aurora, blue oval handstamp cancelling on 1860, 3¢ pink entire to San Francisco and tying Wells Fargo & Co., 1862-64, 25¢ blue margins large to just in at bottom, black company frank at top, with original enclosure on Howard & Sanchez Banking House letterhead datelined April 7, 1863; some minor light gum toning around stamp, Very Fine; with 1981 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 143L8  Estimate $4,000 - 6,000. A LOVELY VIRGINIA PONY EXPRESS USAGE FROM THE FAMOUS CRITTENDEN CORRESPONDENCE IN AURORA. $0 (Image)

(Virginia City Pony Express) Wells, Fargo & Co., Virginia Cty, N.T., blue oval handstamp tying Wells Fargo & Co., 1862-64, 25¢ blue (large margins to slightly in, bright fresh color, light wrinkle) on 1861 3¢ pink entire with black company frank & additional strike of "Virginia City" oval, addressed to San Francisco, Very Fine and choice, ex-Kramer. Scott No. 143L8  Estimate $3,000 - 4,000. A LOVELY VIRGINIA PONY FROM THE CRITTENDEN CORRESPONDENCE. $0 (Image)

1767 (Jan. 31) New York N.Y. to Schenectady N.Y., datelined folded letter with two-line "New / York" postmark and matching "31 IA" Franklin mark on reverse, manuscript "1/6d" rating, endorsed "pr. Post", some fold splitting, F.-V.F. Estimate  $400 - 600. $0 (Image)

1767 (Sep. 30) Philadelphia Pa. to New York N.Y., datelined folded letter with red "PHILA / DELPHIA" two-line postmark on reverse and red manuscript "2" dwt rating, "30 SE" Franklin mark on reverse, New York "10d:" rating in sterling, endorsed "to be deliver'd directly" at bottom left; edge and fold splitting needing reinforcement, Extremely Fine. Estimate  $1,000 - 1,500. A CHOICE STRIKE OF THE RED TWO-LINE PHILADELPHIA COLONIAL HANDSTAMP POSTMARK. $0 (Image)

1815 British Naval Vessel "Near New Orleans" to London, England via Portsmouth, entire datelined "HMS Asia Jany 27th 1815 Near New Orleans" from Royal Marines Capt. John R. Mascall who had participated at the ill fated British attack on New Orleans on the January 8th. This was 2 weeks after the Treaty of Ghent had been signed and therefore an unnecessary battle. Britain lost 2,000 soldiers including the two Generals leading the attack against a total US loss of 14. entered British mails with "Ship Letter, Portsmouth" with manuscript "1/2" 1s2d inland due rating for 6d ship letter fee plus 8d to London, addressed to the Government Paymasters at Hatton Garden, London; horizontal file fold, Very Fine. Estimate  $3,000 - 4,000. A portion of the letter reads: "I have the pleasure to acquaint you of my safety after the attack on the City of New Orleans, the particulars and disaster I shall not to presume to enumerate, the public accounts will sufficiently evince the event.". $0 (Image)

1835 (Jan. 21) "U.S.S. Grampus", Curacao, West Indies to Washington D.C. via Philadelphia, folded letter with "U.S. Schr Grampus, Curacao, January 21st, 1835" dateline, entered mails with red "Phila, Feb 21" octagon datestamp and matching full strike of red Full Rigged Ship octagon handstamp with manuscript "12½" rating crossed out and correctly rated "14½" (12½ postage + 2¢ ship fee), Extremely Fine. Estimate  $2,000 - 3,000. A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF THE PHILADELPHIA ILLUSTRATED FULL RIGGED SHIP MARKING ON A INCOMING LETTER FROM CURACAO. $0 (Image)

1847 (1875 Reproduction), 10¢ Black, without gum as issued, large margins all round, rich color and sharp impression, Superb; with 2013 P.S.A.G. Graded certificate (98, SSV $3,750). Scott No. 4  $1,050. ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE 1847 10¢ REPRODUCTION OBTAINABLE. $0 (Image)

1847, 10¢ Black, neat strike of red grid cancel, stunning rich color and a razor sharp proof-like impression in bright paper, large to huge margins all around, Superb; with 2002 P.F. certificate and 2002 P.S.E. Graded certificate (Superb 98, SMQ $6,250). Scott No. 2  $850. AN OUTSTANDING GEM EXAMPLE OF THE 1847 10¢ ISSUE WITH TREMENDOUS EYE APPEAL. $0 (Image)

1847, 10¢ Black, large to huge margins including sheet margin at left, tied by manuscript on orange buff with matching manuscript "Dallas O.T., Aug 23/53" postmark to Rev. C.R. Moore, Watertown Mass., Very Fine, this cover was part of the Herman Herst collection of Oregon Territory and is making its first appearance on the market in over 55 years since the Herst collection was sold in the 1960, ex-Chase, Herst; with 2016 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 2  Estimate $15,000 - 20,000. THE ONLY RECORDED 1847 10¢ ISSUE USED FROM OREGON TERRITORY AND THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. A GREAT TERRITORIAL RARITY AND AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT 1847 ISSUE USAGE. Although the 1847 Issue was demonetized after 1851, this cover was accepted as prepaid by the postmaster in Dallas Oregon and not marked postage due. The stamp overpaid the 6¢ for over 3,000 rate. This stamp must have been carried out to the Pacific Northwest by someone and not sold at the local post office. $0 (Image)

1847, 10¢ Black, Short Transfer at Top, clear to large margins, canceled by green grid handstamp on 1849 cover to New York, matching "Tallahassee Flor. Feb. 21" circular datestamp on 1848 folded cover to New York; cover missing sideflap and sealed tear just affecting postmark, Very Fine appearance. Scott No. 2 var.  Estimate $2,000 - 3,000. AN EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 1847 10¢ ISSUE ON COVER BEARING A GREEN CANCELLATION. $0 (Image)

1847, 5¢ Dark Brown, Four Singles, large margins, one just shaving frameline, rich colors and detailed early impressions, all tied by blue "Philadelphia, Pa., Apr 18" cds's on fresh cover to Greenville, Va., with additional strike of cds at right; small part of backflaps removed with wax seal, Extremely Fine, ex-Emerson, Knapp, Gibson, Kapiloff, Carveri, Hackmey, Hill, Gross; with 1999 and 2013 P.F. certificates. Scott No. 1a  Estimate $15,000 - 20,000. AN OUTSTANDING MULTIPLE USAGE OF THE 1847 5¢ ISSUE PAYING THE QUADRUPLE 5¢ RATE FOR CARRIAGE UNDER 300 MILES. ONE OF THE MOST ATTRACTIVE DOMESTIC USES OF THE 5¢ 1847 ISSUE. $0 (Image)

1847, 5¢ Orange Brown, irregular block of 4, neat manuscript cancels, ample to large margins all around, rich color and a detailed early impression, Extremely Fine and choice. Scott No. 1b  $4,000 for two pairs. AN EXTREMELY RARE MULTIPLE OF THE 1847 5¢ ISSUE IN THE SCARCE ORANGE BROWN SHADE. This is likely one of the largest used multiples of the 1847 5¢ orange brown shade, as a search for larger multiples only revealed one strip of three of this shade. $0 (Image)

1847, 5¢ Red Brown, on deeply blued paper, full original gum which is lightly hinged, four large to huge margins, deep rich color which is wonderfully fresh, Extremely Fine, while there a number of mint 5¢ 1847's, there are very few which display the gem Post Office characteristics of this gorgeous stamp; with 2015 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 1  $6,750. PERHAPS THE MOST ATTRACTIVE MINT 1847 5¢ WE HAVE EVER OFFERED. $0 (Image)

1847, 5¢ Red Brown, fancy blue grid of diamond-shaped dots cancel of Easthampton Mass. ample to mostly large margins, beautifully rich color enhancing a detailed impression, Extremely Fine and attractive; with 2014 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 1  $440. A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF THE 1847 5¢ ISSUE BEARING A COMPLIMENTARY COLORED FANCY CANCELLATION. $0 (Image)

1847, 5¢ Red Brown, neat red square grid cancel, four huge margins showing portion of adjacent stamp at bottom, bright color, Extremely Fine to Superb, a gorgeous stamp worthy of the finest collection; with 2009 P.F. certificate and 2016 P.S.E. Graded certificate (XF-Sup 95, SMQ $1,350). Scott No. 1  $400. $0 (Image)

1847, 5¢ Red Brown and 10¢ Black, each bearing the red Wheeling, Va. Control Grid in upper right corner, blue cancels, 5¢ with straight line "Paid", wonderfully matched centering amid clear to large margins, 10¢ with strong shade and 5¢ with vibrantly rich color, 5¢ with shallow thin spot and 10¢ with faint horizontal crease visible only in fluid, Very Fine, the first pair of these classic rarities to appear on the market in years; 5¢ with 1996 P.F. and 10¢ with 1970 P.F. certificates. Scott No. 1-2  Estimate $10,000 - 15,000. THE MOST IMPORTANT AND HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER PRECANCELS IN U.S. PHILATELY. According to Wall, for the 5¢ 1847 there are only two covers and three off-cover stamps, and the 10¢ 1847 there are only four covers and five off-cover stamps with the red Wheeling Va. control grid. Most of the known copies have defects. The red grid was apparently applied once to every four stamps, at the center of each block in the sheet. The purpose of the marking has never been established conclusively because used examples were cancelled by the customary blue "Paid" or grid cancels upon usage. Therefore, the Wheeling red grid is not considered to be a true pre-cancellation, which would suffice for mailing without further cancelling. It perhaps served to provide security against Post Office theft. $0 (Image)

1847, 5¢ Red Brown, Double Transfer (Type "B"), position 90R1, showing double transfer of top and bottom frame lines, right margin single with large margins to just shaving frameline at upper left, manuscript cancelled and just tied by red "5" handstamp in margin on 1850 cover to Freiwaldau, Germany, blue "Baltimore, Md., Nov 11" cds and endorsed "via Berlin" at bottom, reverse with red London (11.25) transit cds and matching "America per England" framed handstamp, with original enclosure including newspaper clipping; light cover edge wear, central wax seal stain and partially reinforced backflap, F.-V.F., ex-Brown; signed Ashbrook, with 1995 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 1  Estimate $3,000 - 4,000. A RARE USAGE OF THE 5¢ 1847 ISSUE WITH DOUBLE TRANSFER VARIETY USED ON COVER TO GERMANY. $0 (Image)

1847, 5¢ Red Brown, Vertical Pair, margins large to just into frameline at top right, unnoticeable scissor cut affecting bottom stamp, tied by two vivid strikes of red grid handstamp on oversized ornate bronze Valentine front to Drewsville, N.H., postmarked perfect strike of matching "Walpole, N.H., Feb 17" cds in red, embossed valentine enclosure with spiral pull up center, Very Fine and choice. Scott No. 1  Estimate $5,000 - 7,500. ONE OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR USAGES OF THE 5¢ 1847 ISSUE. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS ITEM HAS APPEARED ON THE MARKET SINCE THE 1980 SIEGEL RARITY SALE. $0 (Image)

1847, 5¢ Red Orange, rich distinctive red orange color on bright bluish paper, margins large to well clear at bottom, tied by red square grid handstamp with matching "New -York, Apr 3" cds at right on 1851 folded letter to Belvidere, N.J., Very Fine; with 2010 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 1c  $10,500. A WONDERFULLY CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 1847 5¢ RED ORANGE ON COVER, THIS BEING ONE OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED SOUND EXAMPLES ON COVER. The 5¢ red orange is the rarest of all 1847 shades. According to the late Calvet Hahn in the Collector's Club Philatelist, the red orange shade was produced in December of 1850 during the fourth and last printings. The known usages on cover appear for only a very short time between April and June of 1851 and all but one are used from New York City. $0 (Image)