2016 Rarities of the World continued...

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF 12-14 RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE NORTHERN LIBERTIES NEWS ROOMS MARKING, WHICH WAS APPLIED TO MAIL HANDLED BY THE SUB POST OFFICE OPERATED BY ANDREW McMAKIN. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.

Prior to 1854, the Northern Liberties area (north of Vine Street) was outside Philadelphia's city limits. Carriers were used to transport mail between outlying areas and the main post office in Philadelphia. The term Sub Post Office refers to a location where letters could be deposited for delivery to the main post office. The Northern Liberties News Rooms, which advertised its services as early as 1833, established a Sub Post Office in 1835. The proprietor at this time was Andrew McMakin. A news item appearing in the October 10, 1835, edition of the Philadelphia Saturday Courier states: "The enterprising, attentive and indefatigable proprietor of that popular establishment, the Northern Liberties Free Admission News Room, has found the business of his Sub Post Office so much on the increase, as to induce him to prepare a new and appropriate stamp, which we perceive is now imprinted upon all letters deposited at his office." (from research by Elliott Perry and J. William Middendorf). Later advertisements link the Sub Post Office in Northern Liberties with the main Philadelphia post office, which reinforces its status as an authorized drop point for mail. The sender's directive on the letter offered here recognizes the fact that the letter would be conveyed from the Sub Post Office to the main post office.

Debate among postal historians (Perry, Hahn et al) has focused on when the distinctive marking (Type I or II) was applied to letters. Some have argued that it is a press-printed impression applied to lettersheets prior to use and is, therefore, a carrier stamp. In support of the press-printed argument is the consistent orientation of the marking at the left side and at the same degree relative to the paper upon which it is impressed; it would be impossible to apply a hand-held striking device so consistently. Arguing against this press-printed theory are those who cite the effects of folds on the markings and impressions thru the paper, physical evidence that proves the marking was applied after the lettersheet had been folded. Our opinion is that the markings were applied after the letter was folded and given to the Sub Post Office, but that a mechanical device -- similar to a corporate seal -- was used to make the impression. Each letter, when inserted into the device along the guides, would receive the impression in the same relative position and orientation, not unlike a three-hole paper-punch device commonly used today. On the example offered here, the beginning of the first letter of "Miss" in the address barely overlaps the marking, and the marking appears to be printed on top of the address ink.

In summary, historical evidence supports the status of the Northern Liberties News Rooms Sub Post Office as an official carrier drop point for mail to the main Philadelphia post office. As such, we have positioned the Northern Liberties covers in the Philadelphia carrier section. However, physical evidence refutes the claim that these lettersheets were sold to patrons as stamped stationery to indicate prepayment of the carrier fee; the marking is better classified as an elaborate and mechanically-applied indication of letter handling.

Calvet M. Hahn records between 12 and 14 examples of Type I (some duplication of items is possible). (Image)

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VERY FINE AND CHOICE SET OF WELLS, FARGO & COMPANY'S HORSE & RIDER STAMPS ISSUED FOR USE ON THE LEGENDARY PONY EXPRESS.

Commencing July 1, 1861, the Pony Express was authorized by Congress to carry mail at the rate of $1.00 per half ounce. Although the Scott Catalogue lists the July 1861 issue Pony Express stamps (143L3-143L6) with other private post issues, we wish to emphasize that these stamps were issued under the terms of a government mail contract; therefore, they have semi-official status. Although some of the Horse & Rider stamps were remaindered, they are scarce and the vast majority are not sound with four margins as the set offered here (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE STAMFORD SOLDIERS' FAIR STAMP.

There is a total of twelve recorded Stamford Soldiers' Fair stamps, issued during the fair on July 27-29, 1864. This stamp comes from the famous Ackerman-Perry-Kantor block purchased at the Stamford Fair by Alvee Augustus Adee. (Image)

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VERY FINE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST RECORDED USE OF THE ONE-CENT McKINLEY FULL-FACE POSTAL CARD. IT IS ALSO THE ONLY KNOWN USED EXAMPLE OF THE DIE PROOF POSTAL CARD, AND IT IS THE ONLY KNOWN USED CARD WITHOUT THE PRE-PRINTED ADDRESS. A PHENOMENAL RARITY OF THE HIGHEST ORDER.

According to the UPSS Catalog, "When plans were first made for a postal card in memory of President McKinley, following his assassination in September, 1901, a die was prepared showing a 'full-face' portrait. The holder of the postal card contract at that time was Albert Daggett, who was not noted for the high quality of his work. The plates produced very inferior impressions; the average of the production samples sent to Washington was judged unacceptable. To personally assess the situation, Superintendent of the Stamp Division, Major Reeve made an inspection visit of Daggett's Maine factory the last week of March 1902. He concluded the plates would never give acceptable results and ordered them removed from the presses and destroyed, along with the entire stock of 1,625,000 cards that had been produced up to that date.

"In late March one box of 500 cards was accidentally shipped to the Postmaster at New York City. This box could be one that didn't get returned to the warehouse from a large initial order of McKinley cards that was packed, counted and about to be shipped when the factory received notice from the Post Office cancelling the order. These 500 cards are the only ones recognized by the Post Office Department having been properly issued in error. The entire box was purchased by the firm of Booth, Bailey, and Ivins, which held a city contract for dumping garbage at sea (this accounts for the term 'garbage card'). The entire 500 were imprinted for their use, so that none of the 500 issued cards is known in mint condition."

The earliest recorded postmark on a "garbage card" is May 26, 1902, from Brooklyn N.Y. This Die Proof-imprinted card, used from Washington D.C., must have come from early samples sent to Washington as an example of the work being produced. (Image)

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VERY FINE. A REMARKABLE OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE AN EXHIBITION COLLECTION OF HIGH-DENOMINATION 19TH CENTURY POSTAL STATIONERY, CONTAINING AN IMPRESSIVE GROUP OF PROOFS, USES, PAPERS AND WATERMARKS.

This collection was last exhibited in Thailand 2013 World Stamp Exposition, in the Postal Stationery class. (Image)

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