The Wagshal Collection, Part 2: One-Cent 1851-56 Imperforate continued...

FINE APPEARING AND RARE. ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED UNUSED EXAMPLES OF THE ONE-CENT 1851 WITH CHICAGO PERFORATION, AND THE ONLY ONE WITH ANY ORIGINAL GUM. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE ONE-CENT 1851-57 ISSUE.

The origin of the Chicago perforation was revealed in an article published by Jerry Wagshal in the Chronicle 130 (May 1986). To briefly summarize his revelations, the inventor of the machine used to create the Chicago Perf stamps was Dr. Elijah W. Hadley, a Chicago dentist. He probably constructed the machine in 1854. Over a two-year period, beginning in November 1854, Dr. Hadley's device was offered for sale to the Post Office Department thru R. K. Swift, a prominent Chicago banker and businessman. The distinctive 12-1/2 gauge Chicago Perf was applied to sheets of the 1c (Plates 1 Late and 2) and 3c 1851 Issue, the former being considerably rarer. According to the census of Chicago Perf items compiled by W. Wilson Hulme II (Chronicle 175, Aug. 1997), a total of 19 examples of the 1c Chicago Perf have been recorded, comprising 2 unused, 5 used on covers and 12 used off cover (including a strip of three). The other unused was offered in our Sale 930 in Feb. 1997 and has a lightened stain spot at left and some ink on back barely showing thru.

Ex Karash where acquired by Jerry Wagshal in 1974. With 1974 P.F. certificate. (Image)

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EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE SOUND AND CENTERED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1851 ISSUE WITH CHICAGO PERFORATIONS. APPROXIMATELY 19 EXAMPLES ARE RECORDED. THIS IS ARGUABLY THE FINEST SINGLE EXTANT.

The origin of the Chicago perforation was revealed in an article published by Jerome S. Wagshal in the Chronicle 130 (May 1986). To briefly summarize Mr. Wagshal's revelations, the inventor of the machine used to create the Chicago Perf stamps was Dr. Elijah W. Hadley, a Chicago dentist. He probably constructed the machine in 1854. Over a two-year period, beginning in November 1854, Dr. Hadley's device was offered for sale to the Post Office Department thru R. K. Swift, a prominent Chicago banker and businessman. The distinctive 12-1/2 gauge Chicago Perf was applied to sheets of the 1c (Plates 1 Late and 2) and 3c 1851 Issue, the former being considerably rarer. According to the census of Chicago Perf items compiled by W. Wilson Hulme II (Chronicle 175, Aug. 1997), a total of 19 examples of the 1c Chicago Perf have been recorded, comprising 2 unused, 5 used on covers and 12 used off cover (including a strip of three).

Signed Ashbrook and with his note. With 1970 P.F. certificate. (Image)

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A RARE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT TYPE IV WITH CHICAGO PERFORATIONS. APPROXIMATELY 19 EXAMPLES ARE KNOWN OF THE ONE-CENT -- OF THESE ONLY THREE SINGLES AND THE UNIQUE STRIP OF THREE ARE TYPE IV.

The origin of the Chicago perforation was revealed in an article published by Jerome S. Wagshal in the Chronicle 130 (May 1986). To briefly summarize Mr. Wagshal's revelations, the inventor of the machine used to create the Chicago Perf stamps was Dr. Elijah W. Hadley, a Chicago dentist. He probably constructed the machine in 1854. Over a two-year period, beginning in November 1854, Dr. Hadley's device was offered for sale to the Post Office Department thru R. K. Swift, a prominent Chicago banker and businessman. The distinctive 12-1/2 gauge Chicago Perf was applied to sheets of the 1c (Plates 1 Late and 2) and 3c 1851 Issue, the former being considerably rarer. According to the census of Chicago Perf items compiled by W. Wilson Hulme II (Chronicle 175, Aug. 1997), a total of 19 examples of the 1c Chicago Perf have been recorded, comprising 2 unused, 5 used on covers and 12 used off cover (including a strip of three). (Image)

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FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED MULTIPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1851 WITH CHICAGO PERFS. IT ALSO HAS THE DISTINCTION OF CONTAINING THE ONLY MEANINGFUL PLATE VARIETY OF ANY STAMP WITH CHICAGO PERFORATIONS -- THE LEFT STAMP IS POSITION 91L1L WITH TRIPLE TRANSFER/ONE INVERTED. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CHICAGO PERFORATION ITEMS EXTANT.

The origin of the Chicago perforation was revealed in an article published by Jerry Wagshal in the Chronicle 130 (May 1986). To briefly summarize his revelations, the inventor of the machine used to create the Chicago Perf stamps was Dr. Elijah W. Hadley, a Chicago dentist. He probably constructed the machine in 1854. Over a two-year period, beginning in November 1854, Dr. Hadley's device was offered for sale to the Post Office Department thru R. K. Swift, a prominent Chicago banker and businessman. The distinctive 12-1/2 gauge Chicago Perf was applied to sheets of the 1c (Plates 1 Late and 2) and 3c 1851 Issue, the former being considerably rarer. According to the census of Chicago Perf items compiled by W. Wilson Hulme II (Chronicle 175, Aug. 1997), a total of 19 examples of the 1c Chicago Perf have been recorded, comprising 2 unused, 5 used on covers and 12 used off cover (including this strip of three). Apart from this strip only three singles are Type IV.

With 1967 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as singles. (Image)

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VERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF FIVE RECORDED COVERS BEARING THE ONE-CENT 1851 WITH CHICAGO PERFORATIONS. THIS IS THE ONLY ONE-CENT CHICAGO PERF USED WITH ANOTHER STAMP. A GREAT RARITY USED FROM OUTSIDE OF CHICAGO TO OREGON TERRITORY.

The origin of the Chicago perforation was revealed in an article published by Jerry Wagshal in the Chronicle 130 (May 1986). To briefly summarize his revelations, the inventor of the machine used to create the Chicago Perf stamps was Dr. Elijah W. Hadley, a Chicago dentist. He probably constructed the machine in 1854. Over a two-year period, beginning in November 1854, Dr. Hadley's device was offered for sale to the Post Office Department thru R. K. Swift, a prominent Chicago banker and businessman. The distinctive 12-1/2 gauge Chicago Perf was applied to sheets of the 1c (Plates 1 Late and 2) and 3c 1851 Issue, the former being considerably rarer.

According to the updated census of Chicago Perf items compiled by W. Wilson Hulme II (Chronicle 175, Aug. 1997), approximately 19 examples of the 1c Chicago Perf have been recorded, including five used on covers. These are: 1) Type II, Plate 2 (not plated), tied by Chicago May 29, 1856 datestamp on P. L. Wells May 28, 1856 circular to Armitage, Siegel Sale 869, lot 3023 (realized $26,000 hammer), 2) Type II, Position 71R2, "Paid" cancel (no dated postmark), on P. L. Wells May 28, 1856 circular to Edmonstone & Co., Montreal, Canada, PFC, ex Ishikawa and Dr. Martin, Siegel Sale 893, lot 38 (realized $65,000 hammer), 3) Type II, Position 95L2, tied by grid cancel on P. L. Wells circular to Sheppard & Morgan, NYC, ex Jefferys, currently in the Franklin Institute, 4) Type II, Position 48R2, "Paid" cancel on Lake View Water Cure circular (no date), Ashbrook Vol. II, p. 26, the current whereabouts or state of this cover are unknown, and 5) the cover offered here. Summarizing the census data, there are currently five 1c Chicago Perf covers accepted as genuine, all Type II from Plate 2, one of which is part of the Franklin Institute's collection. Of the four in private hands, one has not been seen and is known only from Ashbrook's description. Therefore, only three confirmed covers are in private hands, two of which are May 28, 1856 printed circulars.

The cover offered here was mailed from Cherry Valley Ill., which is outside of Chicago and close to Rockford Ill. According to Oregon 1859: A Snapshot in Time, the recipient, James H. Twogood, laid out a land claim in the area in 1851 and named it Grave Creek Ranch. The town of Leland was formally established in March 1855 and became a gathering point for the army and volunteers fighting the Rogue River Indian War in the area. Twogood built a hotel on the ranch. By 1860 it became a stop for the California Oregon Stage Line. There were also several mines in the area, including one owned by Twogood.

Scott Retail as single on cover $35,000.00 (Image)

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