Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. Sale

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The Harvey Mirsky Collection of the United States 1847 Issue continued...

5-Cent Under-300 Miles Rate and Multiples of 5c Rate continued...

Lot

Sym.

Lot Description

2219

5c Red Brown (1). Large margins to clear, radiant color, tied by blue grid cancel, matching "Greensburgh Pa. May 20" circular datestamp on lady's embossed cover to Carlisle Pa., 1850 docketing at left, Very Fine, a beautiful cover (Image)

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E. 400-500

SOLD for $550.00
Will close during Public Auction

2220

5c Red Brown (1). Full margins to clear, cancelled by manuscript "X", blue "West Chester Pa. Mar. 2" circular datestamp on 1848 folded letter to Churchtown Pa., few slight age spots affect stamp, Fine, with 1997 P.F. certificate (Image)

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E. 300-400

SOLD for $250.00
Will close during Public Auction

2221

5c Red Brown (1). Large margins to clear, intense shade, tied by blue grid cancel, matching "Middlebury O. Feb. 5" circular datestamp on blue folded cover to Cincinnati, vertical file fold well away from stamp which has tiny corner creases, Fine, scarce, when the Penn. & Ohio Railroad bypassed Middlebury in 1835 this once-thriving town declined and was merged in 1872 with nearby Akron, only two 1847 Issue covers are known used from Middlebury (the other is offered in the following lot) (Image)

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E. 300-400

SOLD for $425.00
Will close during Public Auction

2222

5c Red Brown (1). Large margins to full, detailed impression, cancelled by neat manuscript "X", blue "Middlebury O. Sep. 12" circular datestamp on cover to Spring Arbor Mich., barely reduced at left, Very Fine, scarce, when the Penn. & Ohio Railroad bypassed Middlebury this once-thriving town declined and was merged in 1872 with nearby Akron, only two 1847 Issue covers are known used from Middlebury (the other is offered in the previous lot) (Image)

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E. 300-400

SOLD for $400.00
Will close during Public Auction

2223

10c Black (2). Large to huge margins including portion of adjoining stamp at top, tied by red grid cancel, matching "Boston 10cts. 23 Mar." integral-rate circular datestamp on buff cover to Hanover N.H., cover with sealed tear at bottom, still an Extremely Fine double 5c rate use (Image)

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1,500.00

SOLD for $2,700.00
Will close during Public Auction

2224

10c Black (2). Ample to large margins, tied by "St. Louis Mo. 10 May 16" integral-rate circular datestamp, second strike at right on blue 1849 folded cover to St. Genevieve Mo., small cover age stain at bottom not mentioned on accompanying certificate, still Very Fine, attractive example of double 5c under-300 miles rate between post offices in Missouri, with 1998 P.F. certificate (Image)

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1,500.00

SOLD for $900.00
Will close during Public Auction

2225

5c Red Brown, 10c Black (1, 2). Large margins to full, tied by red grid cancels, light strike of Rochester N.Y. circular datestamp on restored folded lettersheet to Lockport N.Y., docketed at right

FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE COMBINATION USE OF THE 5-CENT AND 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE ON A DOMESTIC COVER PAYING TRIPLE 5-CENT UNDER-300 MILES RATE FOR A LETTER WEIGHING BETWEEN ONE AND ONE-AND-A-HALF OUNCES. VERY FEW ARE KNOWN.

The Post Office Reform Act of 1845 greatly simplified the rate structure for sending mail. It provided for a 5c rate per half ounce for distances under 300 miles, with an increase of 5c for each additional half ounce or portion thereof.

A clause included in the Act of March 3, 1849 (30th Congress, Session II, Ch. 104) modified the postage on a letter weighing more than one ounce to bring U.S. domestic rate progression in line with the 1848 U.S.-Great Britain postal treaty, which had gone into effect on February 15, 1849. The relevant clause reads:

"That the better to enable the postal treaty with Great Britain to go Into full effect with equal advantage to both countries, letters shall be mailed as composing one rate only where the letter does not exceed the weight of a half ounce avoirdupois, where it exceeds a half ounce, but does not exceed an ounce, as composing two rates, where it exceeds an ounce, but does not exceed two ounces, as composing four rates..."

This change eliminated the the 15c rate for a letter weighing between one and one-and-a-half ounces. Letters weighing between one and two ounces would be charged four-times the single rate (20c for distances under 300 miles). The elimination of the triple rate went into effect with the Postmaster General's notice on March 15, 1849. Therefore, the use of 1847 Issue stamps to prepay the 15c triple rate for a letter sent under 300 miles was allowed for approximately 20 months. Fewer than 20 combination covers with the 5c and 10c paying the triple rare are recorded. This is also the only combination cover used from Rochester N.Y.

Ex Rohloff. With 1995 P.F. certificate (Image)

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E. 4,000-5,000

SOLD for $6,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

2226

5c Red Brown (1). Horizontal strip of three, large margins at sides, clear to in at top and bottom, rich color, cancelled by three bold strikes of red grid, matching "Boston Mass. Aug. 16" circular datestamp on blue folded cover to New York, Goodhue correspondence, red crayon "15" rate, part of address obliterated, vertical file fold well clear of stamps

FINE-VERY FINE. A RARE STRIP OF THREE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE USED TO PAY TRIPLE 5-CENT UNDER-300 MILES RATE FOR A LETTER WEIGHING BETWEEN ONE AND ONE-AND-A-HALF OUNCES.

The elimination of the triple rate went into effect with the Postmaster General's notice on March 15, 1849. Therefore, the use of 1847 Issue stamps to prepay the 15c triple rate for a letter sent under 300 miles was allowed for approximately 20 months.

Ex Seybold and Rose. With 2000 P.F. certificate (Image)

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E. 3,000-4,000

SOLD for $3,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

2227

5c Red Brown (1). Horizontal strip of three, huge margins to full including top sheet margin, brilliant color, tied by red grid cancels, matching "Pottsville Pa. Aug. 18" circular datestamp on folded cover to New York, manuscript "Due 5" to the left of stamps, right stamp tiny sealed tear at bottom right, center and right stamps small indentations at top in margin

VERY FINE. A RARE STRIP OF THREE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE ON COVER, PAYING THE OBSOLETE TRIPLE 5-CENT UNDER-300 MILES RATE FOR A LETTER WEIGHING BETWEEN ONE AND ONE-AND-A-HALF OUNCES. MARKED "DUE 5" CENTS FOR THE 20-CENT RATE REQUIRED UNDER THE ACT OF MARCH 3, 1849.

This cover was mailed in August 1849, after the rate change went into effect, but before the subtle change was widely known. The recipient was charged 5c for the additional postage due.

Ex Sinkler. (Image)

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E. 5,000-7,500

SOLD for $4,500.00
Will close during Public Auction