Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. Sale

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The William H. Gross Collection: 1847 and 1851-56 Issues continued...

Foreign Mails

Lot

Sym.

Lot Description

357

12c Black, Diagonal Half Used as 6c (17a). Top right diagonal half, large margins to just in, used with 1c Blue, Ty. II (7) and 3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A), large margins to in, 1c Position 16R1E, tied by "New-York N.Y. Nov. 18" circular datestamps on blue folded cover to St. John, New Brunswick, top flap with 1852 receiving backstamp, missing bottom and left flaps, horizontal file fold affects stamps

A RARE USE OF THE 12-CENT 1851 BISECT TO PAY THE 10-CENT RATE TO NEW BRUNSWICK. THIS IS ALSO A "COMPLETE SET" COVER--EACH OF THE THREE STAMPS ISSUED IN 1851 IS REPRESENTED.

Effective July 1, 1851, the postal rates were changed and the 1847 Issue was demonetized. Three new stamps--1c, 3c and 12c--were issued. A new 10c was issued in 1855 and a new 5c was issued in 1856. Covers with all three of the new denominations are rare and desirable, especially when one is in bisected form.

Ex Hackmey. With note on back from Ashbrook who plated the 1c stamp and notes it shows bottom of the Type Ib stamp (Position 6R1E). (Image)

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E. $ 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $6,250.00
Will close during Public Auction

358

5c Red Brown (12). Large margins to in at top, used with two 1c Blue, Ty. IV (9) on 3c Red on Buff Nesbitt entire (U10), tied by "Georgetown S.C. Dec. 19" (ca. 1856) circular datestamp and addressed to Mr. Henry P. Brown, U.S. Consul at St. Georges Bermuda, 1c stamps also tied by neat strike of "NOT PAID" boxed handstamp applied at New York (probably in error), manuscript "4" pence due marking at right, right 1c small tear at top right, 5c tiny margin tear at top left and small diagonal crease at top right, missing top flap and small margin repair, small edge flaws

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. THE ONLY RECORDED USE OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE ON COVER TO BERMUDA. AN IMPORTANT POSTAL HISTORY RARITY OF THE CLASSIC IMPERFORATE PERIOD.

The recipient worked as a portrait artist and engraver, and in 1851 travelled to San Francisco with his friend, Jacob Bailey Moore. Brown worked for Moore for the next several months, gathering specimens and making drawings in the California countryside. In March of 1852, he was commissioned by John Russell Bartlett, head of the U.S.-Mexico Boundary Commission and a friend of Moore's, to draw views of landscapes and Indians in Northern California, assist with collecting Indian vocabularies, and make maps of the area. From 1856 to 1859, he served as U.S. Consul for Bermuda. Little is known of his life after that date, his health was poor at the time of his resignation in 1859.

This cover was franked to pay the 10c direct rate by American Packet. The "NOT PAID" was likely applied in error in New York, though this may have gone as a private outbound ship letter.

Ex Krug, Mayer and Hackmey. With 2006 P.F. certificate. (Image)

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E. $ 10,000-15,000

SOLD for $37,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

359

12c Black (17). Horizontal pair, large margins to just in, detailed impression, tied by blue grid cancel, matching "Keene N.H. Oct. 5" circular datestamp, second strike at left on 1852 Ocean Penny Postage Propaganda cover to Evesham, England, addressed in blue ink to Herbert New, Gilpin imprint on bottom flap, State 2, sender has added to the sentiment of the propaganda design with his own words "The World Awaits "for a few month's longer-say until Jan. 2, 1853!", Great Britain's "& America's joint &" Greatest Gift", slogan at bottom and imprint crossed out by sender, who also noted "Prepaid at Keene NH Oct. 4/52", carried on the Cunarder Africa which departed New York Oct. 6 and arrived in Liverpool Oct. 17, Liverpool transit (Oct. 17), red "19" credit handstamp, light strike of receiving backstamp, small scissors-cut at bottom between stamps, left stamp top left corner tiny nick, some cover wear

FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE EXAMPLE OF A BRITISH PROPAGANDA ENVELOPE USED FROM THE UNITED STATES TO ENGLAND WITH THE TREATY RATE PAID BY THE 1851 ISSUE.

The Ocean Penny Postage movement was started by an American, Elihu Burritt. Burritt had settled in Worcester Mass. as a blacksmith, where he began to study languages and became known as "The Learned Blacksmith". On a trip to England in 1847 Burritt founded the League of Universal Brotherhood. He also advocated Ocean Penny Postage and the use of propaganda envelopes, believing it would promote trade and commerce (and therefore greater understanding) between nations. Very few propaganda envelopes were used from the United States. His plan was never adopted (as witnessed by the 24c in postage on this cover). In 1865 he was appointed by President Lincoln as U.S. Consular Agent for Birmingham, England.

Ex Emerson, West, Haas, Ishikawa and Hackmey. (Image)

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E. $ 7,500-10,000

SOLD for $9,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

360

12c Black (17). Vertical pair, margins to barely in including part of adjoining stamp at bottom, used with 1c Blue, Ty. II, 3c Brownish Carmine, Ty. II and 10c Green, Ty. II (7, 11A, 14), large margins to in, tied by red grid cancels on blue 1856 folded cover to William Comstock in Foochow, China via Hong Kong, red "Providence R.I. Oct. 24" circular datestamp, matching "Paid" handstamp, red "New-York Am. Pkt. Oct. 25" exchange office circular datestamp, magenta manuscript "12" credit, red London transit datestamp (Nov. 10), Hong Kong receiving backstamp (Feb. 1) and Feb. 2 receipt docketing, 3c creased, bottom 12c small scissors-cut and crease from file fold, the colors are bright and fresh

A SPECTACULAR FOUR-COLOR IMPERFORATE 1851-55 ISSUE FRANKING ON AN ATTRACTIVE FOLDED COVER TO HONG KONG AND FOOCHOW. PREPAID FOR THE 38-CENT PRUSSIAN CLOSED MAIL RATE, BUT SENT BY AMERICAN PACKET VIA ENGLAND INSTEAD.

The franking pays the 38c Prussian Closed Mail rate via Trieste, but instead it was sent by the Collins Line's Ericsson, which departed New York on October 25, 1856, and arrived at Liverpool on November 8. It appears from the docketing that the addressee received the letter in Foochow on February 2, 1857, one day after its delivery in Hong Kong. The addressee worked as an agent for and later as a partner of the famous firm Augustine, Heard & Co. He went to China in 1849, and it is believed he drowned in the Indian Ocean on his way home to Providence in 1859.

Ex "Sevenoaks", Rogers and Hackmey. With 1999 P.F. certificate (Image)

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E. $ 10,000-15,000

SOLD for $16,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

361

12c Black (17). Five singles, large margins to cut in, used with two 1c Blue, Ty. IV (9) and 3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A), similar margins, cancelled by blue grids and tied by matching "Columbia S.C. Jun. 22" circular datestamp and "PAID" handstamp on 1853 brown cover to Dr. James Morrow in Hong Kong, China, addressed to the care of the American Consul "And the Care of Commodore M. C. Perry", light strike of red "New York Br. Pkt. Jun. 29" circular datestamp, magenta "60" manuscript credit, red London transit datestamp (Jul. 11), receiving backstamp (Sep. 8), stamps with faults, cover missing top flap and with faults, extensively restored at bottom just below address

A REMARKABLE FRANKING PAYING THE 65-CENT RATE TO HONG KONG VIA MARSEILLES--ADDRESSED TO A MEMBER OF COMMODORE PERRY'S EXPEDITION.

The addressee, Dr. James Morrow, was appointed by Secretary of State Everett as agriculturalist on Commodore Matthew C. Perry's expedition to Japan. Commodore Perry initially opposed the inclusion of any civilians on his expedition. Morrow brought seeds and plants to Japan where they were gratefully accepted. The Japanese were fascinated with the quality of flour produced by an American corn mill, and Morrow was intrigued with the Japanese version of a cotton gin and the bark they used to produce strong paper. The Japanese had never seen a garden engine with a hose that would pump water, and a crowd of over 200 people gathered to watch the water being pumped into the air. Morrow notes that they looked carefully at the suction hose as though they thought they had learned the secret of putting out fires.” His position gave him more leeway than most on the expedition to explore the Japanese countryside. The expedition resulted in a three-volume report, which contained a list of plants collected in Japan and compiled by Asa Gray.

Ex Craveri and Hackmey. With 1999 P.F. certificate. (Image)

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E. $ 4,000-5,000

SOLD for $14,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

362

5c Red Brown (12). Three ample to large margins, barely in at bottom, bright shade, tied by light strike of "Boston Ms. Feb. 3" circular datestamp on 1858 greenish-blue folded cover to Augustine Heard & Co. in Shanghai, China, stamp also tied by "New-York Br. Pkt. Feb. 3" circular datestamp and clear strike of red "Returned for/Postage" framed handstamp struck twice, returned to Boston where an additional 28c was paid in cash for the 33c rate via Southampton, it then went back to New York where "New-York Br. Pkt. Mar. 9" backstamp was applied and the "Returned for Postage" markings crossed out, magenta manuscript "28" credit, carried by the Cunarder America, which departed Boston March 10 and arrived in Liverpool March 22, red London transit (Mar. 23), British due marking originally applied at left then crossed out, receiving backstamp (May 22), stamp lifted and put back in place

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. THE ONLY RECORDED USE OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE ON A COVER TO SHANGHAI. A WONDERFUL RARITY.

Ex Mayer and Hackmey. With 1981 P.F. certificate. (Image)

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E. $ 10,000-15,000

SOLD for $22,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

363

10c Green, Ty. III (15). Horizontal pair, large to huge margins, rich color, used with 1c Blue, Ty. IV (9), Position 71L1L with triple transfer one inverted, large margins to in, tied by red "Trenton N.J. Nov. 28, 1856" circular datestamp on orange-buff cover to Lieutenant Earl English at Hong Kong, China, addressed to Lt. English on board the U.S. Sloop Levant, sender's route directive "Via English Mail Steamer", red "New-York Am. Pkt. Nov. 29" circular datestamp, manuscript "6" credit, carried on the Ocean Line's Washington, which departed New York Nov. 29 and arrived at Southampton Dec. 14, London (Dec. 15) and receiving (Feb. 25) backstamps, missing most of top flap, repaired along top edge not affecting stamps

FINE APPEARANCE. A COLORFUL COVER TO HONG KONG WITH THE 1851-55 ISSUE PAYING THE 21-CENT RATE BY AMERICAN PACKET VIA ENGLAND.

This cover comes from the well-known correspondence of Lieutenant Earl English, who served on board the U.S. Sloop Levant.

Ex Ishikawa and Hackmey. (Image)

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E. $ 4,000-5,000

SOLD for $4,250.00
Will close during Public Auction

364

10c Green, Ty. II (14). Positions 55-57R1, horizontal strip of three, huge margins to full, used with 3c Dull Red, Ty. I (11), Position 95L4, large margins to in, cancelled by grids on 1857 cover to Rev. Henry Blodgett in Shanghai, China, partly struck "Greenfield Mass. Jan. 16" circular datestamp, red "New-York Am. Pkt. Jan. 17" backstamp, carried aboard the Collins Line's Ericsson, which departed New York Jan. 17 and arrived at Liverpool on Feb. 1, London transit datestamp (Feb. 2) ties strip, receiving backstamp (Mar. 28), 10c strip tiny corner crease at top right not mentioned on accompanying certificate

VERY FINE. A WONDERFUL COVER PAYING THE 33-CENT RATE TO SHANGHAI BY BRITISH MAILS VIA SOUTHAMPTON.

Ex Piller, Giamporcaro and Hackmey. With 1993 P.F. certificate. (Image)

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E. $ 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $3,250.00
Will close during Public Auction

365

12c Black (17). Large margins to just in, used with horizontal pair of 1c Blue, Ty. II (7), large margins to just in, and two 3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A), similar margins, tied by bold grid cancels, red "New-York Dec. 13" circular datestamp on 1851 blue folded letter to Payen & Co. in Lyon, France, sender's directive Pr. Humboldt at lower left and carried by the Havre Line's Humboldt, which departed New York Dec. 13 and arrived in Havre Dec. 27, red Havre datestamp ties 1c pair, manuscript "12" decimes due marking, receiving backstamp, stamps slightly gum toned, 1c has small tears at top from placement at edge of cover

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A SPECTACULAR COVER BEARING A COMPLETE "SET" OF THE THREE NEW 1851 ISSUES TO PAY THE 20-CENT RATE TO FRANCE VIA AMERICAN PACKET DIRECT.

Effective July 1, 1851, the postal rates were changed and the 1847 Issue was demonetized. Three new stamps--1c, 3c and 12c--were issued. A new 10c was issued in 1855 and a new 5c was issued in 1856. Covers showing all three of the new denominations are scarce and desirable, especially prepaying the 20c American Packet Direct rate to France.

Illustrated in North Atlantic Mail Sailings 1840-75 (p. 111). Ex Hackmey. (Image)

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E. $ 5,000-7,500

SOLD for $19,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

366

12c Black (17). Large margins to just in at right, used with horizontal pair and single of 1c Blue, Ty. IV (9), margins to in, pair with corners clipped, and two 3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A), tied by grid cancels, red "New-York Am. Packet Jul. 23" circular datestamp on blue 1853 folded cover to Genoa, Italy, sender's directive "Pr Pacific and carried aboard that Collins Line's steamer, departing New York July 23 and arriving Liverpool August 3, red London transit backstamp (Aug. 4), clear strike of red "Etats-Unis Paq. Am. Paris 5 Aout 53" transit datestamp, Torino (Aug. 7) receiving backstamp, manuscript "17" due marking, file folds do not affect stamps, some edge soiling

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A DESIRABLE COMPLETE "SET" OF THE 1851 ISSUE USED TO PAY THE 21-CENT BRITISH OPEN MAIL RATE TO ITALY VIA AMERICAN PACKET.

Effective July 1, 1851, the postal rates were changed and the 1847 Issue was demonetized. Three new stamps--1c, 3c and 12c--were issued. A new 10c was issued in 1855 and a new 5c was issued in 1856. Covers showing all three of the new denominations are scarce and desirable, and this use of the stamps to pay the 21c British Open Mail rate to Italy via American Packet might be the only one extant.

Ex Piller, Giamporcaro and Hackmey. With 1993 P.F. certificate. (Image)

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E. $ 3,000-4,000

SOLD for $3,750.00
Will close during Public Auction

367

10c Green, Ty. I (13). Positions 98-100L1, a superb horizontal strip of three from bottom right corner of the left pane, huge margins all around, intense shade and proof-like impression from an early state of the plate, beautiful greenish cast to paper, tied by two neat strikes of "New Orleans La. Aug. 29, 1857" circular datestamp on folded cover to Paris, France, red "Boston Sep. 9 Paid 24" credit datestamp for double treaty rate, carried by the Cunarder America, which departed Boston Sep. 9 and arrived in Liverpool Sep. 20, French transit datestamp (Sep. 24), merchant's blue oval handstamp

EXTREMELY FINE GEM STRIP AND AN IMMACULATE TREATY-RATE COVER. UNQUESTIONABLY THE FINEST 10-CENT 1855 IMPERFORATE TYPE I MULTIPLE KNOWN ON COVER.

This August 1857 cover is a late use of the imperforate 10c stamp, which was issued in mid-1855 and available in perforated form as early as July 1857. However, the strip shows an extremely early impression and shade, which one would not expect to find two years after the original printing. Likewise, the existence of perforated 10c stamps with similar color and impression is further evidence that sheets from the earliest printing of the 10c 1855 were on hand in mid-1857. The practical reason for this anachronistic use of early impressions is the stack principle of production, whereby the first sheets off the press were stacked toward the bottom, and the last sheets were placed on top. Thus, the early printings might be issued or run through the perforating machine much later, as in this case.

Illustrated and cited in Ashbrook's article on the Newbury collection (Stamp Specialist, 1941). Also illustrated in Brookman Vol. I (p. 161). Ex Newbury, Lehman, Grunin, Zoellner and Hackmey. With 1998 P.F. certificate (Image)

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E. $ 20,000-30,000

SOLD for $24,000.00
Will close during Public Auction