2012 Rarities of the World continued...

FINE-VERY FINE. A PREVIOUSLY UNREPORTED PROOF IMPRESSION OF THE FRANKLIN CARRIER STAMP ON LIGHTLY-TINTED STAMP PAPER. THE PRESENCE OF THE PLATE CRACK IN ITS EARLY STATE OF DEVELOPMENT POINTS TO AN EARLY IMPRESSION.

The 1851 Franklin Carrier plate prepared by Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co. was marred by a large, nearly horizontal crack across six stamps in the second row from the top (Positions 18-20L and 11-13R). As the plate wore, the crack extended further into the two adjoining positions at left and right (17L and 14R). The plate crack is found on original proofs, issued stamps and reprint proofs. The reprint proofs show the crack in its later, more extended state. The Orange trial color proof is found with the plate crack in its early state (see Hall collection, Siegel Sale 830, lot 1). It is significant that the crack on this proof pair is from the early state.

When the Post Office Department arranged to make the reprints in 1875, a trial impression on lightly-tinted paper was sent for approval. The sample was rejected, because the paper was not the correct shade of Rose. It is possible that this proof comes from the rejected proof sheet

A fascinating item that is extremely rare (Image)

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VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE UNADOPTED DIE ESSAY FOR THE 1842 3-CENT CITY DESPATCH POST STAMP -- THE FIRST ADHESIVE STAMP ISSUED IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. ONLY TWO ARE KNOWN.

This issue was printed from a plate of 42 subjects that produced the first adhesive stamps issued in the Western hemisphere. Two examples of this unadopted Die Essay are known. The other is ex Caspary and Middendorf (see The City Despatch Post 1842-1852 Issues: A Study of America's First and Most Versatile Stamp-Producing Plate, Scott R. Trepel).

Ex Ethel Harper. This was reportedly presented by Greig to his sister in England. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT ON ROSY BUFF. APPROXIMATELY TEN ARE KNOWN.

We have tracked sales of the Rosy Buff paper for more than 20 years, and have seen only one without thins.

With 1991 P.F. certificate. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE OF THIS SCARCE STAMP. AN IMPRESSIVE EXHIBITION ITEM.

Ex Lilly, Boker and Golden. With 2000 P.F. certificate. Scott value as three pairs (Image)

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VERY FINE. THE ONLY TIED EXAMPLE AMONG THE SEVEN RECORDED COVERS BEARING THE HAMPTON 77L1 STAMP. ONE OF THE MOST OUTSTANDING OF THE PHILADELPHIA LOCALS.

Very little information about the T. A. Hampton post is known. Different students have located the same 1852-53 city directory listing for Thomas A. Hampton, a printer located at Marshall and 5th, but nothing earlier. In his CCP article on Philadelphia locals (Nov.-Dec. 1994), Calvet M. Hahn attached special significance to the fact that tobacconists named Gilbert Harris and Benjamin Hampton occupied the same address at 11 North 10th Street during the relevant years. Although the first names do not match the local-post proprietors' names, Hahn believed that a family connection might exist that would link the two local posts. Steven M. Roth also noted the possibility of an association, based on the sequence of dated covers (Penny Post, Oct. 1993). Given the similarity of the stamps and the association of names and addresses, another possibility is that the Despatch Post was neither Harris's nor Hampton's individually, but that they were partners -- the stamps with each partner's name could have been a convenient accounting method. Nothing is impossible, given the paucity of documentation.

Roth records five genuine 77L1 covers. Hahn recorded seven, but he cast doubt on three of them (as well as all 77L2's) because they are used in August 1848 and September-November 1849, which he considered to be too late for this post. Other researchers are less inclined to dismiss such a significant group of artifacts without additional information. The eight reported examples of 77L1, all cut to shape, including seven covers and one stamp added to a cover, are listed here in chronological order: 1) Aug. 7, 1847 (content), to P. H. Purviance, Auditor General, Harrisburg Pa., John A. Fox sale, Sep. 8, 1978, 2) Aug. 23, 1847, tied by Philadelphia datestamp on folded letter from unidentified origin to Friendsville Pa., ex Ackerman, Gibson, Boker, Golden, the cover offered here, 3) Oct. 5, 1847, to Daniel Blade, Easton Pa., ex Gibson, Golden, 4) Mar. 21, 1848, stamp cut in at bottom, no other details known, ex Worthington, 5) Aug. 22, 1849, stamp repaired at bottom, to Tho. Woolman, Burlington N.J., Siegel Sale Apr. 1, 1965, 6) Sep. 25, 1849 (content), embossed cover to Benjaline French "Present", Sloane's records, and 7) Nov. 22, 1849 (content), embossed cover to Miss Benjaline French, 390 N. 7th St., ex Boker, Golden, and 8) no date, stamp added to cover with Philadelphia "Ship" and "12" handstamps, ex Caspary, Middendorf.

This cover is of the greatest significance as it is the only known tied example of any of the Hampton stamps. It is also the only stamp known with the small colorless "X" impressed below "Paid".

Signed Robson Lowe. Ex Ackerman, Gibson, Boker and Golden. With 1999 P.F. certificate (Image)

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VERY FINE. A WONDERFUL COVER WITH TWO STRIKES OF THE HAWKINS CITY DISPATCH POST HANDSTAMP. THIS IS A PREVIOUSLY UNRECORDED DISPATCH POST, AND AS FAR AS WE CAN TELL IS UNIQUE.

Nothing is known about the Hawkins City Dispatch Post, the recent find of this cover is the only evidence of its existence. There is a Dominick Street in New York City (between Hudson and 6th Ave.) and so it most likely operated in New York.

From a new discovery and offered to the market for the first time. This should be the basis for a new listing. (Image)

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AN EXTENSIVE AND VALUABLE COLLECTION OF THE NEW YORK CITY HUSSEY'S POST WHICH TOOK YEARS OF CAREFUL STUDY TO ACCUMULATE.

Several items in collection illustrated in Byways of Philately. We recommend careful viewing of this lot as its size defies thorough description. (Image)

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VERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF FOUR EXAMPLES OF THE MENANT & CO. LOCAL POST STAMP AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS. A GREAT PHILATELIC RARITY.

According to The Great Mail, Menant & Co.'s Express Post commenced operations in 1853 at 21 Conti Street and were still in business as late as 1856, although at a different address, 118 Exchange Place, near the post office.

The five examples of 104L1 in our records (all unused) are: 1) ex Souren and Hall, illustrated in The Great Mail (p. 133), the stamp offered here, 2) ex Middendorf, faults including hole at top right, 3) ex Caspary, thin and pinhole, 4) ex Kuphal and from our 1999 Rarities sale, vertical crease, and 5) the copy in the British Library, Tapling Collection.

Ex Souren and Hall. With 2001 P.F. certificate. (Image)

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VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE CONJUNCTIVE USE OF BAMBER & COMPANY'S EXPRESS AND WELLS FARGO & COMPANY'S 1862-65 PONY EXPRESS TO NEVADA.

With 2010 P.F. certificate (Image)

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VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE IMPERFORATE $10.00 PROBATE OF WILL FIRST ISSUE REVENUE, CANCELLED SOLELY BY THE CIRCULAR DATESTAMP.

Evidence points to an imperforate supply of 856, as 792 others (11 sheets) were returned for perforating. (Image)

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