The William H. Gross Collection: United States Postal History continued...

5¢ Red Brown (1), large margins to just in at upper left, slight puckering from application, tied by red circular grid and matching "6" in circle rate handstamp with "New-York Jan. 10" (1850) circular datestamp, used with Messenkope's Union Square Post Office, New York, N.Y., (1¢) Black on Green (106L1), large margins, light stain, on blue folded letter to Saugerties, New York, Very Fine appearance and attractive, ex Hart and Boker (Image)

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5¢ Red Brown (1), huge margins to just in at lower right including top sheet margin, affixed over manuscript "Paid" and tied by red square grid cancels, matching "New-York Jun. 5" (ca. 1849) circular datestamp on buff envelope to Newburgh, New York, clear strikes of Swarts' "Letters for N. York City Direct to Chatham's Square Post Office" (on side flap) and "Post Office Swarts Chatham Square" oval handstamps, stamp lightly creased from file fold near top, Very Fine and an unusual use, ex Dick, Hart and Boker, signed Ashbrook (Image)

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10¢ Black (2), Position 45R, huge margins all around, tied by red square grid cancels with matching "New-York May 30" (ca. 1849) circular datestamp on black-bordered mourning envelope to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, red Swarts' "Letters for N. York City Direct to Chatham's Square Post Office" (on backflap) and "Post Office Swarts Chatham Square" oval handstamps, the latter lightly double-struck on front, Extremely Fine Gem stamp on an attractive cover, ex Boker (Image)

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5¢ Orange Brown (1b), large even margins, rich color and early impression, tied by lightly struck blue Philadelphia circular datestamp, used with Telegraph City Despatch, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2¢ Black on Yellowish (138L2), full even margins all around, manuscript "X" cancel on cover to Middletown, Connecticut, 5¢ cancelled again on arrival with the Middletown office's distinctive blue large grid of tiny diamonds, sender's notation "Paid"

Very Fine appearance; flap tear extends just barely into top edge, scattered toning on cover and touching 5¢ stamp, local stamp with negligible unapparent faults not mentioned on accompanying certificate.

This is the only recorded example of the Telegraph City Despatch 2¢ stamp--an outstanding Philadelphia local cover and one of the greatest local post and 1847 Issue combination covers extant.

In his October 1993 Penny Post article on short-lived Philadelphia locals, Steven M. Roth described the prevailing state of knowledge about the Telegraph Despatch Post: "We have no idea who operated this Post from its office at 61 South 8th Street." Calvet M. Hahn, writing one year later on the T. Walters local (Collectors Club Philatelist, Nov.-Dec. 1994), noted an example of the Walters stamp on a piece with the two-line handstamp "Telegraph C. D. 2 Cts./Office, No. 61 Sth. 8th St." However, neither Roth nor Hahn mentioned that the 61 South 8th Street address--stated on this unique 138L2 stamp and the two-line handstamp--is the same address found on Brigg's Despatch 25L1-25L2 stamps. Brigg's and Telegraph City Despatch covers are dated in the same period beginning in mid-1848, and the lettering style and printing characteristics (not designs) of both issues are also very similar. These factors could be coincidental--that is, Brigg's and the Telegraph City Despatch might have had separate offices in the same building without any other connection--but further investigation is warranted, and it may uncover a more definite connection between Brigg's and the Telegraph City Despatch (and possibly T. Walters).

Our records contain five 1¢ 138L1 covers (including one with a 5¢ 1847 stamp) and this unique 2¢ on cover.

Ex C. E. Chapman, Alfred H. Caspary, Josiah K. Lilly, Jr., Dr. Leonard Kapiloff, Edgar Kuphal, Joseph Hackmey, and from our 1992 Rarities of the World sale. Raymond Weill & Co. backstamp. Illustrated on the front cover of Chronicle 245. With 1991 P.F. certificate. (Image)

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