2020 Rarities of the World continued...

FINE APPEARING AND RARE EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1851 ISSUE WITH CHICAGO PERFORATIONS. APPROXIMATELY 20 EXAMPLES ARE RECORDED.

The origin of the Chicago perforation was revealed in an article published by Jerome S. Wagshal in Chronicle 130 (May 1986). To briefly summarize Mr. Wagshal’s revelations, the inventor of the machine used to create the Chicago Perf stamps was Dr. Elijah W. Hadley, a Chicago dentist. He probably constructed the machine in 1854. Over a two-year period, beginning in November 1854, Dr. Hadley’s device was offered for sale to the Post Office Department thru R. K. Swift, a prominent Chicago banker and businessman. The distinctive 12-1/2 gauge Chicago Perf was applied to sheets of the 1c (Plates 1 Late and 2) and 3c 1851 Issue, the former being considerably rarer. According to the census of Chicago Perf items compiled by W. Wilson Hulme II (Chronicle 175, Aug. 1997), a total of 19 examples of the 1c Chicago Perf were recorded up to that time, comprising 2 unused, 5 used on covers and 12 used off cover (including a strip of three). This stamp is an addition to the Hulme census.

With 2019 P.F. certificate (Image)

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A PRESENTABLE AND RARE EXAMPLE OF THIS MAJOR CLASSIC RARITY -- APPROXIMATELY 20 EXAMPLES OF THE ONE-CENT 1851 CHICAGO PERF ARE RECORDED.

The origin of the Chicago perforation was revealed in an article published by Jerome S. Wagshal in Chronicle 130 (May 1986). To briefly summarize Mr. Wagshal's revelations, the inventor of the machine used to create the Chicago Perf stamps was Dr. Elijah W. Hadley, a Chicago dentist. He probably constructed the machine in 1854. Over a two-year period, beginning in November 1854, Dr. Hadley's device was offered for sale to the Post Office Department thru R. K. Swift, a prominent Chicago banker and businessman. The distinctive 12-1/2 gauge Chicago Perf was applied to sheets of the 1c (Plates 1 Late and 2) and 3c 1851 Issue, the former being considerably rarer. According to the census of Chicago Perf items compiled by W. Wilson Hulme II (Chronicle 175, Aug. 1997), a total of 19 examples of the 1c Chicago Perf were recorded up to that time, comprising 2 unused, 5 used on covers and 12 used off cover (including a strip of three). The stamp in lot 54 is an addition to the Hulme census.

Ex "Lake Shore". With 1992 P.F. certificate. (Image)

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VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A BRIGHT AND DESIRABLE EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT CHICAGO PERFORATION ON COVER AND A VERY EARLY USE.

The date in the handstamp is not clear but it is two digits and may read "15". As such it would be the second earliest known use after the Swift corner card of May 3, 1856.

With 1987 P.F. certificate. In his census in Chronicle 175, Wilson Hulme quotes the P.F. certificate for this cover as stating "not the genuine unofficial Chicago perfs." This is in error as the certificate states "It is a genuine usage stamp with unofficial Chicago perfs." Accompanied by second cover addressed to Miss Witten with a small valentine and note. Scott value $8,000.00 (Image)

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VERY FINE. THIS COVER IS ONE OF ONLY TWO KNOWN 3-CENT CHICAGO PERF COVERS ORIGINATING FROM OUTSIDE OF CHICAGO.

Rosedale is approximately 175 miles from Chicago. Dr. Chase discusses this cover in his book (p. 175) and hypothesizes that the stamp or cover was carried to Rosedale from Chicago by a traveler.

Ex Dr. Chase and Beals. Discussed in Wilson Hulme's article in Chronicle 175, p. 162. Scott value $8,000.00 (Image)

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