| 1031° |
|
 Hoyt's Letter Express,
Rochester N.Y., (5c) Black on Vermilion Glazed (85L1). Full margins
except slightly in at left, paper has characteristic fibrous surface,
uncancelled, affixed to small piece of cover with red ms. "2"VERY
FINE. ONE OF NINE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF HOYT'S LETTER EXPRESS STAMP -- AMONG
THE RAREST OF THE 1844 INDEPENDENT MAIL ISSUES. According to research
by Elliott Perry, David Hoyt was an agent of Pomeroy & Co. before and after
he operated his short-lived letter express in July and August 1844. Hoyt's
letter express was not connected to the railroad, but instead utilized
Genesee Valley canal boats to bring mail between Rochester and Danville,
New York. As advertised in the Rochester Advertiser (Jul. 27-Aug.
31, 1844), Hoyt's Letter Express made intermediate stops at Mt. Morris,
Cuylerville, Geneseo, Spenser's Basin, Piffordina, Avon and Scottsville.
Hoyt connected with Pomeroy's Letter Express and through Pomeroy's with
Boyd's for local New York City delivery. Only nine stamps are
recorded, including four singles on covers, a pair on cover front, an
uncancelled stamp and two stamps on pieces (one of which is offered here).
Three of the single stamps (including one "Lettcr" error) are used on
covers in conjunction with Pomeroy's Letter Express Blue stamp (one to New
York City with a Boyd's datestamp). The fourth single on cover has a
manuscript Pomeroy's marking. The pair, of which one stamp is the "Lettcr"
error, is used on a cover-front in combination with a Pomeroy's pair and
Boyd's datestamp. The uncancelled single was offered in the Caspary sale,
as was the piece offered here. Another single on piece is shown in a photo
from the Costales files. Ex Caspary, Lilly and Golden (Siegel Sale
817, lot 1189, realized $14,500 hammer). With 1999 P.F. certificate (as
genuine stamp, but declining opinion as to whether it originated on this
piece) (Image) |
E. 7,500-10,000
CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction |
