The Benjamon Franklin Bailar Collection: A Postal Historical Study of America's First Postmaster Gen continued...

EXTREMELY FINE. THE UNIQUE ESSAY FOR THE FRANKLIN CARRIER, WITH A SUBSTANTIALLY INCOMPLETE BORDER. A PHENOMENAL EXHIBITION ITEM.

This die essay is not listed in the Scott Catalogue or in the Brazer book. Its provenance is unknown, but it was evidently pulled from the die prior to engraving the labels at top and bottom or engraving the background lines around the oval (inside the lathework border). No other impressions from this state of the die are known. (Image)

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FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE OF THE 1851 FRANKLIN CARRIER STAMP, USED OR UNUSED. AN IMPORTANT CLASSIC UNITED STATES ITEM.

In October 1851 a supply of 50,000 Franklin Carrier stamps was sent to New Orleans, where they were received on October 19. This strip of three -- the largest recorded multiple in unused or used condition -- was cancelled at the New Orleans post office. There was some confusion in New Orleans over the proper use of the designated Carrier stamp, as evidenced by surviving examples showing improper use. In this case the strip was evidently intended to prepay 3c regular postage, and was possibly accepted for that purpose by the New Orleans office

Ex Caspary. With 1979 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $26,000.00 (Image)

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VERY FINE. ONLY TWO OF THE THREE RECORDED 1851 FRANKLIN CARRIER COVERS FROM NEW YORK CITY ARE AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS. AN IMPORTANT AND HIGHLY EXHIBITABLE RARITY.

Although New York City received the largest number of Franklin Carrier stamps (250,000), they were withheld from use until May 1852, allegedly due to a dispute over "discounting" the sale price (based on Travers papers). Therefore, Franklin Carrier covers from New York City are much rarer than covers from Philadelphia. The Franklin Carrier cover census by Dr. Vernon R. Morris, Jr. (Chronicle 229, February 2011) is the latest and most up-to-date published census. It contains only three Franklin Carrier covers accepted as genuine uses from New York City (two in private hands):

1) Undated buff cover to John J. Latting, 85 Fulton St., tied by red "New York" circle, ex Chase, Miller Collection, The New York Public Library

2) Sep. 15, 1852 folded letter to David Sands, 141 William St., tied by red New York circle, ex Caspary, Middendorf, currently in Mazza collection

3) Oct. 28, 1852 cover to Henry Mathews, Union Hotel, ex Seybold and Golden (Siegel Sale 817, lot 16, realized $25,000 hammer), the cover offered here

The enclosed invitation identifies the addressee, Henry Mathews, as co-proprietor of the Union Hotel at 22nd Street and Third Avenue, where the Complimentary Ball was to be held in memory of Wilsey McGinness, who "was unfortunately run over by Engine 46."

Morris Census No. 17. Ex Seybold and Golden. Signed Bloch. With 2000 P.F. certificate (Image)

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VERY FINE. A REMARKABLE EXAMPLE OF THE PHILADELPHIA U.S.P.O. DESPATCH CARRIER STAMP MADE FROM THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER SHEET MARGIN OF THE ONE-CENT 1851 PLATE 2, SHOWING PART OF POSITION 100R2 AND USED WITH A VERTICAL STRIP FROM A FEW ROWS ABOVE ON THE SAME PLATE (AND PROBABLY THE SAME SHEET).

The Philadelphia carrier stamps printed on the sheet selvage of imperforate 1c 1851 stamps hold a unique position in United States philately. Elsewhere in the world there are very few instances in which sheet selvage was used to produce adhesive stamps -- the Emory Va. Confederate provisional and early stamps of Zanzibar come to mind as other examples. Two handstamps were used to create the Philadelphia carrier stamps: the Eagle oval (Scott type C31), which produced 7LB16, and the large oval (type C32), from which 7LB18 was made. These were probably necessary after supplies of the Eagle Carrier ran out in 1856. The earliest known use of the 1c 1851 from Plate 2 is Dec. 5, 1855, which points to this being an 1856 use.

The U.S.P.O. handstamped carrier adhesives on 1c sheet selvage are used in combination with 1c 1851 stamps to an unusually high degree, which we believe indicates both the regular postage and handstamped adhesives were provided together by the carrier.

Ex Colonel Green and Gibson. With 1974 P.F. certificate. (Image)

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