| 273 |
|
 Pearce, Tolle & Holton, Dry Goods, Cincinnati O., 10c
Green (EP148). Stamp with rich color and detailed impression, well-placed in case with denomination precisely centered at bottom, case is lovely honey brown color, intact mica with hint of lamination visible under cross-lightingEXTREMELY
FINE. THE 10-CENT PEARCE, TOLLE & HOLTON ENCASEMENT IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL CIVIL WAR ENCASED POSTAGE STAMPS -- ONLY ONE OR TWO ARE KNOWN. This Cincinnati-based dry goods firm was founded in 1862 by William Pearce, W.B. Tolle (of New York
City) and Alexander M. Holton. They were later joined by Thomas J. Porter Jr., whose name does not appear on the encasements. During the Antebellum period the Pearce family ran a successful cotton goods factory, which gave them a large customer base
in the South. The "new" firm started in 1862 expanded the dry goods business. Tolle is considered to be the partner directly responsible for ordering Gault's "New Metallic Currency," since he was the firm's New York City representative. The Pearce,
Tolle & Holton encasements are among the rarest of all Gault encased stamps. The advertising legend shows a correction in the spelling of "Tolle." It was first punched as "Toole" with two O's, then corrected to "Tolle." The Reed book comments
that only two are known, and the 104-year survey of auctions between 1891 and 1994 records only five transactions. The Hodder-Bowers book states that the 10c is unique and was part of the William F. Dunham collection sold by B. Max Mehl (there were
no photographs in the catalogue, so positive identification cannot be made). This was the only example known to the cataloguers of the Ford and Mayer collections. If unique, then this is the Dunham piece. Ex Ford and Mayer. (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com |
7,000.00
SOLD for $10,500.00
Will close during Public Auction |
