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 Ellis, McAlpin & Co., Dry Goods, Cincinnati O., 5c Red
Brown (EP80). Stamp with warm color and placed so that denomination is clearly visible, case is a wonderful bright gold color, mica intact but with light scratch, fresh and Very Fine, rare with Reed census reporting 5-10 known -- The famed
McAlpin's department store in Cincinnati was founded in 1852 by George Washington McAlpin and John Washington Ellis. Both were employed by a dry goods merchant named John Taylor when they bought his business and, by 1852, had re-established it under
the name John W. Ellis & Co., which was later changed to Ellis, McAlpin & Co., the name that appears on the encased postage. One of the partners in the new business was listed as "M.V. Barkalow" of Cincinnati. "M.V." is probably a transcribing error
for William V. Barkalow. Numismatic historian Fred L. Reed III uncovered the fact that Barkalow was a business associate of John Gault's before Gault formed his partnership with Kirkpatrick in 1862. Barkalow is probably the person responsible for
introducing Gault to Kirkpatrick and for ordering the encased postage from Gault on behalf of Ellis, McAlpin & Co. and other Cincinnati-based issuers. (Image)Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com |
1,250.00
SOLD for $850.00
Will close during Public Auction |
