Gems of Philately
47 Kearny St # 500, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA
| Lot | 1846-1848 Trans-Continental & Mexican-American War Covers | Estimate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | (Pennsylvania) (Philadelphia, Pa.). Addressing on oversized multicolored floral embellished bordered Valentine cover, likely locally hand carried (no postmarks), with original Valentine enclosure with embossed floral border, rose embellishment and 15-verse hand written poem, Extremely Fine and choice, a wonderful Valentine design in exceptional condition.Estimate; $300 - 400. |  3 | $300 |
| 52 | From Steam Boat Tennessee (Cumberland River). Fancy red circular handstamp on folded Nov 5th, 1846 Port of Cairo, Ill. bill of lading to New Orleans, La., Very Fine.Milgram No. 1355; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.AN EARLY AND VERY RARE EXAMPLE OF "TENNESSEE" FANCY STEAMBOAT MARKING. Letters carried on the Cumberland River in Tennessee are rare, the route from Nashville to New Orleans used the Cumberland, the Ohio and the Mississippi Rivers, a distance of 1,270 miles. No contracts existed for this route and all letters were carried outside the mails to New Orleans.The "Tennessee" of 391 tons was built in 1846 and carried President Elect Zachary Taylor between Vicksburg and Nashville on his inauguration journey in February 1849. |  | $1,000 |
| 53 | Col. Stephen W. Kearny Military Courier Letter from Fort Leavenworth, Mo. Signed letter addressed to Capt E.A Hitchcock in Saint Louis, Mo. and endorsed by way of "Major Massias", with letter datelined "Fort Leavenworth, Nov 13th, 1837" and reads in part…"The Steam Boat Pirate has arrived this afternoon & brought me your letter of the 3rd Inst. -- I thank you for the trouble I have occasioned you. I enclose a check of Maj. Morris for $600 & wish that you deposit it in the Mo State Bank in my credit."; file folds, Very Fine, an early signed Col. Stephen W. Kearny letter.Estimate; $750 - 1,000. Complete images: View gallery or Download PDF (5.4MB). |  | $750 |
| 54 | Cantonment Gibson, Ar., Jul 7. Bold cds and matching "Free" rating handstamp with "On Public Service" endorsement on 1842 folded cover to Brig. Genl. R. Jones, Adj. General at Washington D.C., inside docketed "Fort Gibson" from Lt. Col. Mason, 1st Dragoons with "Reports on detachments under Col. Kearney left on the 4th for Fort Leavenworth"; some light soiling, a Very Fine use, ex-Beals.Estimate; $750 - 1,000. Complete images: View gallery or Download PDF (1.8MB). |  | $750 |
| 55 | Fort Leavenworth, Mo., Aug 7. Discernible cds with manuscript date on folded letter to Columbia, Mo., manuscript "5" rating, with letter datelined "Fort Leavenworth, August 6, 1846" with interesting contents regarding elections…"I have only a few minutes to devote to you at present but even then clear my conscience…There is now 9 Co. at the fort and 5 more to come, Those that are here held an election yesterday for their officers. Price had no opposition. Gen Allen of Lewis County was elected over Mitchell from St. Louis for Lieut. Col. of the regiment & Capt Edmonson of the same for Major. Gen. Halleck was elected without opposition Lieut, Col. of the extra battalion, The officers of the Ref are subject to the vote of the 5 Co. which are yet behind thought I have no doubt but they will confirm our choices. Bart you must write to me frequently there will be no difficultly about communicating as there will be a regular express every other week. From this place to us direct your letters to me care of Co. A Capt Giddlings, Prices (Sterling) regiment Mo. Vol."; cover with some light edge staining at lower left, Very Fine.Estimate; $400 - 600. Complete images: View gallery or Download PDF (4.2MB). |  | $400 |
| 56 | Fort Leavenworth, Mo., Sep 16. Cds with manuscript day and matching "5" cent rating on 1846 folded letter from Private O.P. Bampass, Company "I" 4th Regiment of Illinois Volunteers at Fort Leavenworth shortly after Gen. Kearney occupied Sante Fe and speaks of getting "…72 cts for every twenty miles coming up to be paid the first payment at Bents Fort…"; some fold separations and minor staining, Fine and interesting early Mexican War trail letter.Estimate; $500 - 750. This letter refers to Bents Fort during Pre-Colorado Territory, which was a celebrated fur trading post built in 1848 by four Bents Brothers. Kit Carson was employed there as a hunter from 1831 to 1842 when he left to join the Fremont Expedition. The post was a real Fort with walls 15 feet high and 4 feet thick.Complete images: View gallery or Download PDF (2.6MB). |  | $500 |
| 57 | Fort Leavenworth, Mo., Nov 4. Cds with manuscript date and manuscript "10" rate on folded letter to Newport, R.I., with letter datelined "Santa Fe, Oct 6, 1846" (New Mexico Territory) written at the end of the Military Occupation Period, carried by courier and mailed at Fort Leavenworth, letter with interesting content…"We have disarmed the Mexicans in every direction, have fortified ourselves and hold the country securely enough…I have rode in forced marches by day and stood for hours at night at the lonely post of the Sentinel subject to the tomahawk or arrow of the Indian or the midnight attack of the Mexican", with description of country & climate, derogatory remarks about Mexicans, their women, etc., Very Fine, a rare early New Mexico territorial item.Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000. Complete images: View gallery or Download PDF (2.5MB). |  | $1,500 |
| 58 | Santa Fe, New Mexico, January 11th, 1847. Dateline on folded letter from Army surgeon to his wife at Fort Leavenworth Mo., carried by military express, entered mails with "Independence, Mo. Mar 3" cds and manuscript "5" rate marking, some interesting content describing sickness, death & battles including "…We have had a battle at a place called El Passo about 200 miles from us in which our troops came off victorious and I am in hopes that the war will soon be over…"; light toning, Fine and interesting Mexican War use.Estimate; $750 - 1,000. Complete images: View gallery or Download PDF (5.2MB). |  | $750 |
| 59 | Fort Leavenworth, Mo. Jul 17. Cds with manuscript day on folded letter to Belleville, Ill., manuscript "10" rating, with letter datelined "Fort Leavenworth, July 18th, 1847" with letter in part…"Fort Leavenworth as I have before told you is a splendid place, but staying so long has made me heavy time of it and I am extremely anxious too go on. A detachment of our Regiment, composed of our companies under Capt. Bond's, Capt. Hampton's, Capt. Nile's and Capt. Thurman's will start to day for our place of destination. The weather is extremely hot, but not withstanding. They are all very anxious to go on. It is very likely that some of the detachments of out Regiment will have a brush with the Comanche Indian before they get though, but I assure you from what I know of the Regiment that they great credit that Illinois has attained will not differ by anything that our Regiment will do. They are all men and will acquit themselves like men.", Very Fine.Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500. Complete images: View gallery or Download PDF (13MB). |  | $1,000 |
| 60 | Santa Fe, New Mexico, October 11th, 1847. Dateline on cover to Belleville, O., carried privately with "Politeness of Capt Turner" endorsement who was returning to Fort Leavenworth, letter with interesting content…"I send you by Capt. Turner and Lieut. Roper of our Regiment a Puebla bow and with sixteen arrows. The Puebla Indians are the descendants of Montezuma's old subjects, and are a much finer and braver race of people than the Spaniards, at the battle of Taos (January 1847 Revolt) which was fought last winter they stood till they were bayoneted while the Mexicans ran at the sight of a gun. They use the bow and lance pretty generally. The white's now not willing to sell them guns through this bow and arrows have been used a little they are yet good…I also send you, the Doubloons, and of which you will keep for yourself, another you will give to mother.", and signed Wm. H. Snyder, Very Fine, ex-Risvold.Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500. Lt. William H. Snyder is a collector sending home native items from the Pueblo Indians.Complete images: View gallery or Download PDF (4.7MB). |  | $1,000 |
| Lot | Fancy Cancellations | Estimate | |
| 61 | Fort Mann, Upper Arkansas, December 6th 1847. Dateline on folded letter addressed to President James K. Polk in Washington City, D.C., with manuscript "Pr Santa Fe Express" endorsement at lower left, "Fort Leavenworth, Mo., Dec 24" cds with manuscript day and "10" rating crossed out, letter regarding the tendering a resignation…"To His Excellency, James K. Polk, President of the United States, Sir, I was mustered into Service of the United States at Fort Leavenworth, as Captain of the Company E "Indian Battalion" Missouri Volunteers, which Battalion is under the Command of Lieut. Col. William Gilpin. Reasons of a substantial and influential character, constrain me to tender my resignation as Captain of said Company.", and signed Capt. Napoleon Koscialowski, with Adjutant Gen. recommendation & Secretary of War final approval docketing; some soiling along file folds, F.-V.F.Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500. Complete images: View gallery or Download PDF (5.5MB). |  | $1,000 |
| 62 | Sullivan (California), Aug. 26th, 1849. Dateline on folded letter from Ebenezer Bower Bateman to his father in Jacksonville, Ill., entered the mails with "San Francisco, Cal, Oct 1" cds and reddish brown manuscript "40" rate, with lengthy 3½ page letter detailing his route and journey from Santa Fe, Indians and the gold regions…I arrived here on the 20th inst, after a very tedious journey of 135 days from Santa Fe. Our rout was down the Rio Grande 150 miles to Socoro (Soccoro), thence across the mountains to the head-waters of the Rio Gila, thence down that River to a point six miles below its mouth where we crossed the Rio Colorado of the West; thence across the Great Desert & through the mountains again to the Pueblo Los Angalos, or "City of the Angels". Thence on & near the coast northward about 250 miles, thence Eastward across the Mountains again to the head of the Tulalles Lake in the Tulary Valley, thence across & up the Rio del Rey, or Kings River to the point where it emenates from the Base of the Sierra Nevada, thence a north-westerly course up the valley & across the Mercey, Tuwalamie, Merri-posas, Stanish-Low & a branch of the San Joaquin Rivers to Stockton;- thence to this place 75 miles; which is a small stream emptying into the Tuwalarnie twelve miles distant. From the point where I last struck into the Mountains you will perceive a great disgression from the ordinary rout, this was owing to our having fallen in with a Detachment of Dragoons dispatched to the head of Kings River to chastise some Indians who had recently killed a party of Americans & we thought it a good opportunity to penetrate where others had failed & have the first chance at the Gold which is said to exist there in great quantity, but greatly to our disappointment on arriving in about two days travel of the designated point, we learned the Indians had fled far into the Snowy mountains. Our rations falling short & animals broke down, the commanding Officer determined to proceed as fast as possible to the neighborhood of Stockton…The Gold region as far as discovered, you will perceive has two great natural divisions by the watercourses they contain, the one with the Sacramento & the other the San Joaquin as their tributaries; I am in the last mentioned region, which is generally is about 100 miles from & Southward of the central portion of the other., Very Fine.Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500. Complete images: View gallery or Download PDF (9.3MB). |  | $1,000 |
| 63 | Sullivan (California), Sep 30th, 1849. Dateline on folded letter from Ebenezer Bower Bateman to his brother in Saint Charles, Mo., entered the mails with manuscript "Stockton T.C., Oct 4th" (Territory of California) postmark, with additional "San Francisco, Cal, Nov 1" cds and matching boxed "40" rate, manuscript "Via Panama" routing endorsement, with lengthy 3½ page letter regarding journey from Santa Fe, Stockton area and areas of potential gold mining…"I arrived at this place on the 20th Ult' 135 Days from Santa fe. This is 75 miles from Stockton & 200 miles from San Francisco, on a tributary to & twelve miles from its confluence with the Tuolumne River; at this immediate point there is not a great number at present, but in the neighborhood (say) within three miles there are probably Three Thousand & yet this region from all account is more sparsely populated than most others & they cry is: still they come…It is about 50 days sail from San Francisco to China & about twelve to the Sandwich Islands, from which; I believe, from all other countries, there are people here, seeking what appear to be generally considered "The one thing needful" The mining region so far as discovered & worked, compares a strip of country from eight to twenty miles wide, running parallel with the mountains & the Tulare Valley, having for its western boundary the margin of the latter & its Eastern, the superior hills (not the principle mountains) of the former. To these limits the experience & opinions of nearly all testify. Although, there are some who think there must be a grand fountain head, to so much Treasure higher up in the mountains, in quest of which Exploring Parties have already been out, and others are going: I have in contemplation setting out shortly with a party for region lying South-East of Kings River, we take with us an experienced Mountaineer & Indian - Man - one who has formerly been employed by Government as such for Guide. He declares he knows where the (Big Slugs lie.) The mines at this point are very rich, but the Gold lies from 8 to 20 feet beneath the surface, the ground is rocky & water is very troublesome…Enclosed are specimens of California Gold, that taken in this region is general much larger, but I send small because less liable to detection - the average run may be fairly set down at from 6-1/4 cts to 50%$ in value - the piece, observe it is perfectly pure & of the finest quality, no only recorded example, no intermixtion of any kind, the pure original Virgin Gold & this is characteristic of all taken in this country." and signed "E. B. Bateman Address me Stockton Upper California", Very Fine.Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.THE EARLIEST RECORDED POSTMARK FROM STOCKTON AND PERHAPS THE ONLY EXAMPLE WITH THE "T.C." TERRITORY OF CALIFORNIA DESIGNATION. Complete images: View gallery or Download PDF (9.4MB). |  | $1,500 |
| 64 | Angelic Female with Trumpet & Flag Atop World. Bronze Magnus patriotic design on fresh cover to Chester, Ct., franked with 1861, 3¢ rose tied by neat "Alexandria, Va., Apr 20, 1862" cds, Extremely Fine, with 2001 P.F. certificate.Scott No. 65; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.A STUNNING EXAMPLE OF THIS VERY RARE BRONZE MAGNUS PATRIOTIC DESIGN. |  2 | $1,000 |
| 65 | Eagle & Shield. Multicolored patriotic design on fresh cover to Chicago, Ill., franked with well centered 1861, 3¢ rose canceled by blue grid and tied by matching "Peoria, Ills., Apr 29, 1862" cds, light receiving backstamp; cover slightly reduced at right, Extremely Fine, an exceptional example of this finely detailed patriotic design most likely produced by Kimmel.Scott No. 65; Estimate $750 - 1,000. |  | $750 |
| 66 | Eagle with Flag "Wrapt in its Folds Our Whole Country". Patriotic design with verse below and Bloom & Smith imprint at left, on cover to Vermontville, Mich., manuscript "Z Chandler, MC" Michigan Senator free frank and partial "Washington, D.C., Jul 30, 186"1 cds, with original enclosure on illustrated "United States Capitol" view letter sheet, datelined "Headquarters 3rd Regt., Mich. Camp Blair Co K., Arlington Heights, Sunday Jul 28th, 1861" from soldier after retreating from Manassas and the First Battle of Bull Run with letter in part…"We have been on the march for more than a week & I am completely worn out…we here had two hard battles& what is worse had to retreat both times but we sent some of the rebels to their long homes. I would give you a description of the fight but every paper if full & they will give a better one than I can by writing.", mention bullets flying around like hailstones and…"I hope that I shall never get so hard hearted as to kill a man after he is wounded as they did.", Very Fine.Estimate; $750 - 1,000. The First Battle of Bull Run, fought on July 21, 1861, marked the first major battle of the American Civil War, where a largely untrained Union army under General Irvin McDowell was defeated by Confederate forces led by P.G.T. Beauregard, resulting in a Confederate victory and a chaotic retreat of Union troops, revealing that the war would be much longer and bloodier than initially anticipated; this battle is also notable for the emergence of Confederate General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson who earned his nickname during the fighting on Henry House Hill. |  2 | $750 |
| 67 | Jeff. Chewing the Secession Flag-Root. Humorous caricature design with "'He will hold on to the bitter end' - Davis' Speech." quote below, on cover to St. Louis, Mo. franked with 1861, 3¢ rose, horizontal pair tied by "Phila., Pa., Jul 27" cds and target duplex; trivial cover edge wear at left, Very Fine, an extremely rare caricature patriotic design.Scott No. 65; Estimate $750 - 1,000. |  2 | $750 |
| 68 | Liberty with Shield & Eagle. Patriotic design with "Roger's Educational and Military College, New Milford, Conn." advertising corner card and E. Weltzer publisher imprint at lower left, on cover franked with 1861, 3¢ rose (65) tied by target handstamp, matching "New Milford, Ct., May 9" cds; stamp with minor perf tip toning, Very Fine, ex-Judge Fay.Scott No. 65; Estimate $400 - 600.A VERY SCARCE PATRIOTIC AND ADVERTISING COMBINATION DESIGN. |  | $400 |
| 69 | Panorama of Washington. Multicolored three-panel legal-size Magnus patriotic design on cover to Mount Pleasant, N.J., franked with 1861, 3¢ rose, horizontal pair (65) tied by "Washington D.C., Nov 28, 1861" cds, accompanied by original "Panorama of Washington" Magnus broadside enclosure with 33 different Magnus multicolored illustrations depicting scenes of Washington D.C. and Washington's portrait bordered by "First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of His Countrymen" inscription, in an eight-part foldout; pair with minor corner creases and some color fade, cover with some tiny edge tears, cover and broadside framed, F.-V.F.Estimate; $3,000 - 4,000.ATTRACTIVE AND VERY RARE USED EXAMPLE OF THIS "CROWN JEWEL" OF MAGNUS PATRIOTIC COVERS OF WHICH ONLY A HANDFUL ARE KNOWN. |  | $3,000 |
| 70 | Richmond, Va. View. Bronze allover Magnus patriotic design on cover to Clinton, N.Y., franked with 1861, 3¢ rose tied by neat "Washington, D.C., Nov 15, 1862" cds; cover with some corner wear and small edge tears, otherwise Very Fine, with 2020 P.F. certificate.Scott No. 65; Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.A VERY RARE USED ALLOVER MAGNUS VIEW DESIGN, WHICH IS SELDOM FOUND WITH THE ADDRESS & ADHESIVE ON THE FRONT DUE TO SPACE LIMITATIONS. |  | $3,000 |
| 71 | Romeo & Juliet Valentine. Design in red, blue & brown showing Lovers in Embrace with Cupid at Desk at right, on oversized cover to Massillon, O., franked with 1861, 3¢ rose tied by "Nashville, Ten., Sep 18" cds, with matching enclosure of soldier reading letter which opens to show couple holding hand, with "Thoughts of Home" verse below, Very Fine.Scott No. 65; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.AN ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THIS RARE MULTI-COLOR ROMEO & JULIET VALENTINE PATRIOTIC AND ENCLOSURE. |  2 | $1,000 |
| 72 | Soldiers' Farewell Patriotic Valentine. Orange buff design showing Lovers in Embrace With Cupid At Desk At Right, on oversized cover to Roseland, Pa., franked with 1861, 3¢ rose (s.e. at right) tied by "Washington City, Feb 9" cds, with matching enclosure of soldier reading letter which opens to show lady reading letter, with "True Joy" verse below; cover with sealed cover tears at top and missing backflap, otherwise Very Fine.Scott No. 65; Estimate $750 - 1,000. |  2 | $750 |
| 73 | Sons of Erin. Black and green allover triple portrait design of Col. Corcoran, Col. Mulligan & Col. Meacher on front of cover with S.C. Upham imprint on top flap, reverse addressed to Paris, France, franked with 1861, 12¢ black, vertical pair tied by segmented cork handstamps, neat "Boston, 6, Feb 3" integral rate exchange cds and matching boxed "Short Paid" handstamp (for double the 15¢ rate), red Calais entry cds and "16" decimes due handstamp, partial receiving cds on front; bottom stamp with slightly rounded corner at bottom left, cover opened at sides for display, Very Fine.Scott No. 69; Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.A WONDERFUL ALLOVER PATRIOTIC DESIGN ON COVER TO PARIS, FRANCE. |  2 | $2,000 |
| 74 | South Repudiation of Northern Bills. Multicolored caricature patriotic design with Berlin & Jones imprint below and "Repudiation" blacked out, on cover to the Department of the Interior in Washington D.C., franked with 1857, 1¢ blue, type V, guideline straddle pane single + 3¢ dull red, type III tied together by "New York, Nov 20" cds and grid duplex; minor cover abrasion at lower left, still Very Fine, with 2023 Crowe certificate.Scott No. 24+26; Estimate $750 - 1,000. The stationery publishers Berlin & Jones of New York produced some of the most intricately detailed satirical caricature patriotic designs during the Civil War. |  | $750 |
| 75 | Southern Bonds. Violet humorous caricature design with John Bull quote caption below and Brown & Ryan imprint at left, on endorsed "Soldier's Letter, G.W. Johnson, Major, 69th N.Y. Reg." to Sherman, N.Y., "Washington, D.C., Oct 22, 1861" cds and matching "Due 3" in circle handstamp; cover slightly reduced at right, Very Fine, a very rare caricature patriotic design.Estimate; $600 - 800. At war's end, Southerners were left holding now worthless Confederate bonds. To help raise money, the Confederate States of America issued bonds. Early in the Civil War, these bonds seemed a worthwhile, even patriotic, investment to the Southerners who bought them. |  | $600 |
| 76 | U.S. Naval Expedition (No. 2). Multicolored allover Magnus patriotic scene on front of cover, addressed on reverse to Hartand, Vt., franked with 1861, 3¢ rose (s.e. at right) tied by "Washington D.C., Oct 25" cds, Very Fine and choice, a wonderful multicolored Magnus series design.Scott No. 65; Estimate $1,500 - 2,000. |  2 | $1,500 |
| 77 | Uncle Sam Trying To Save South From Secession. Multicolored caricature patriotic design with Berlin & Jones imprint below, on 1861 cover to the Lovell Mfg. Co. in New York, franked with 1861, 3¢ rose tied by target handstamp, matching "Beaufort, S.C., May 30" cds two days before U.S. stamps where not permitted to pay postage in the Confederacy, Extremely Fine, with 2023 Crowe certificate. Bischel No. 1751. Walcott No. 1016.Scott No. 65; Estimate $4,000 - 6,000.AN OUTSTANDING AND EXTREMELY RARE BERLIN & JONES UNCLE SAM CARICATURE PATRIOTIC DESIGN USED FROM A CONFEDERATE SOUTHERN STATE. The stationery publishers Berlin & Jones of New York produced some of the most intricately detailed satirical caricature patriotic designs during the Civil War. This design is one of two Uncle Sam caricature design design produced, both of which are very rare to find in used condition. This example sent from South Carolina after it's Admission into the Confederacy and in the last days U.S. Stamps where permitted to pay postage in the Confederacy is quite extraordinary. |  | $4,000 |
| 78 | W.G. Brownlow. Portrait design with patriotic quotation below, on cover to Springfield, O. franked with 1861, 3¢ rose tied by bold "Bryantsville, Ky., Nov 29" cds, Very Fine, a scarce Tennessee pro-Union design used in Kentucky.Scott No. 65; Estimate $400 - 600. William G. Brownlow was the editor of the last pro-Union newspaper in the antebellum South of the United States who served as governor of Tennessee during the early years of Reconstruction. He was an outspoken and unconditional advocate of the Union. |  | $400 |
| 79 | Zouave Soldier with Flag "To Richmond". Red and blue patriotic design on cover to Philadelphia, Pa., franked with 1860, 1¢ blue, type V, two horizontal pairs paying the 3¢ single rate plus 1¢ carrier fee, all tied by bold "New York, Jun 16" cds and grid duplexes; cover missing left side flap and most of top flap, still Very Fine.Scott No. 24; Estimate $400 - 600. |  2 | $400 |
| 80 | Holly Sprig of Waterbury, Ct. Perfect complete strike tying 1869, 3¢ ultramarine on cover to Washington, Conn., matching "Waterbury, Ct., Mar 28" cds alongside, an Extremely Fine gem strike, with 2016 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 114.Rohloff No. L-4; Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF THE HOLLY SPRIG OF WATERBURY, CT. FANCY CANCELLATION - QUITE CERTAINLY ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES KNOWN OF THIS INTRICATE DESIGN. |  | $1,500 |
| Lot | 1857 Issue & 1861 First Designs | Estimate | |
| 81 | Negative "CST" Monogram in Circle of Canton, Mass. Clear complete strike in red tying 1851, 3¢ dull red (11A, position 30L3) mostly large margins to just into frameline at bottom right, on fresh cover to New York, neat "Canton, Ms., Aug 31" cds, Very Fine and choice, a wonderful and extremely rare strike in red of the Negative Postmaster Monogram of Canton, Mass.Skinner-Eno No. LC-C 3; Estimate $750 - 1,000. The initials are that of Caleb S. Taft who was postmaster of Canton, Massachusetts from June 11th, 1853 until August 22nd, 1856. |  | $750 |
| 82 | "Paid" Around Star in Star of Bond's Village, Mass. Two neat complete strikes in red on cover to Auburn, Mass., one tying 1857, 3¢ rose, type I (25) with full perfs and scissor separated at bottom retaining small portion of adjacent stamp, matching "Bond's Village, Mass., June 8" cds ay left, Extremely Fine.Skinner-Eno No. ST-C 18; Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.A SPECTACULAR EXAMPLE OF THE SCARCE 1857 3¢ ROSE TYPE I TIED BY THE FANCY "PAID" AROUND STARS CANCEL OF BOND'S VILLAGE, MASSACHUSETTS. It appears the early usage of this fancy cancel was applied in red, while later more common strikes were in black. |  2 | $2,000 |
| 83 | Pumpkin of Waterbury, Ct. Three bold strikes on 1861, 1¢ blue, horizontal strip of three, s.e. at left, Very Fine strikes, extremely rare multiple strikes of this rare and popular pictorial cancellation, with 2023 Crowe certificate. Scott No. 63.Rohloff No. G-2; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500. |  | $1,000 |
| 84 | Running Chicken of Waterbury, Ct. Sharp nearly complete strike with light portion of town in lower left corner, on 1869, 3¢ ultramarine, split grill, with additional unusual design split, reperfed at bottom, a Very Fine strike, with 2020 P.S.E. & 2020 Crowe certificates. Scott No. 114. Skinner-Eno No. PA-B 1.Rohloff No. A-11; Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.A WONDERFUL FULL STRIKE OF THE WATERBURY, CT. RUNNING CHICKEN FANCY CANCEL - CONSIDERED TO BE MOST ICONIC WATERBURY PICTORIAL CANCELLATION. |  | $3,000 |
| 85 | St. Louis, Mo., 1846, 10¢ black on gray lilac. Type II, position 4, pen cancel, ample to large margins, sharp detailed impression; few small thins with a couple filled, P.S.E. certificate state a repair which we find no evidence of, Very Fine appearance, with 2021 P.S.A.G., P.S.E. & P.F. certificates.Scott No. 11X5; $12,500 for pen canceled.A HANDSOME EXAMPLE OF THE 10¢ ST. LOUIS PROVISIONAL ON GRAYISH LILAC PAPER. Complete images including certificate(s): View gallery or Download PDF (5.7MB). |  | $12,500 |
| 86 | 1847, 5¢ red brown. Neat red grid cancel, strong color, huge evenly balanced margins, Superb, an exceptional used gem, with 2023 P.F. certificate Graded (S 98, SSV $3,850).Scott No. 1; $425. Complete images including certificate(s): View gallery or Download PDF (3.0MB). |  | $425 |
| 87 | 1847, 5¢ red brown. Ample to large margins, tied by central blue waffle grid handstamp on 1850 folded letter written and signed by Edward Evert and addressed to the Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass., matching "Cambridge, Ms., Jun 26" cds, Extremely Fine, a wonderful usage from this prominent Massachusetts statesmen, with 2024 P.F. certificate.Scott No. 1; Estimate $750 - 1,000. Edward Everett was an American politician, Unitarian pastor, educator, diplomat, and orator from Massachusetts. Everett, as a Whig, served as U.S. representative, U.S. senator, the 15th governor of Massachusetts, minister to Great Britain, and United States secretary of state. He also taught at Harvard University and served as its president.Complete images including certificate(s): View gallery or Download PDF (2.9MB). |  | $750 |
| 88 | 1847, 5¢ blackish brown. Full margin and rich color, canceled by socked-on-the-nose blue grid handstamp on folded letter to Westfield, N.Y., matching bold oval "Buffalo, N.Y., Oct 13" date stamp; trivial cover edge nick at right, Extremely Fine, with 2024 P.S.A.G. certificate.Scott No. 1a var.; Estimate $750 - 1,000.AN EXCEPTIONAL FANCY BUFFALO TOWNMARK AND 1847 5¢ ISSUE IN THE SCARCE BLACKISH BROWN SHADE. Complete images including certificate(s): View gallery or Download PDF (2.9MB). |  | $750 |
| 89 | 1847, 5¢ orange brown. Blue grid cancels, large to huge margin showing portion of adjacent stamp at left, brilliant true orange brown shade, Superb, with 2023 P.F. certificate Graded (Superb 98, SSV $4,250).Scott No. 1b; $675.ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE 1847 5¢ ISSUE IN THE ORANGE BROWN SHADE. By way of comparison, the P.S.E. population report lists the highest awarded grade for the 5¢ orange brown issue at 95.Complete images including certificate(s): View gallery or Download PDF (3.0MB). |  | $675 |
| 90 | 1851, 1¢ blue, type IIIa. Position 15R1e, showing wide breaking on top outerline. Margins clear to unobtrusively touching at bottom, tied by clear full strike of red "Valentine's Day, February 14, Fremont, Ohio." three-line slogan postmark on small locally addressed ladies drop cover, with illustrated Bible forget-me-not label entitled "A Friend" on backflap, stamp additional pen canceled; some trivial faint cover toning, Very Fine and choice, illustrated and written up in February 1997 edition of Linn's Stamp News, the February 2014 edition of the American Philatelist, and the February 2017 edition of the Chronicle, with 1996 A.P.S. certificate.Scott No. 8A; Estimate $7,500 - 10,000.A UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF THE FREMONT, OHIO "VALENTINE'S DAY" SLOGAN POSTMARK - THE EARLIEST AMERICAN SLOGAN CANCELLATION KNOWN AND ONE OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR VALENTINE COVERS IN EXISTENCE. According to Dr. Milgram, while there are a few cancellations on the 1851-57 series that contain wording, the words usually pertain to postal matters (i.e. the "Used And Done For" cancel from Fairhaven, Ct.). This unique townmark is the first slogan cancellation used in the United States. According to the A.S.C.C., Fremont used a straightline postmark in blue in 1850. Accompanying this cover is an unlisted example of the Fremont straight line on 1850 folded letter in red that closely matched the red ink on the Valentine cover posted several years later.According to David Zlowe, who had examined the stamp and cover, positively identified the stamp as a type IIIa from position 15R1e which also has a double transfer, particularly in the "O" and "S" of "POSTAGE". |  | $7,500 |
| 91 | 1852, 1¢ blue, type IV. Neat town cancel, huge well balance margins showing portions of adjacent stamps at left and bottom with full sheet margin at top, strong bold color, a Superb jumbo, a spectacular large margin gem, with 2022 P.F. certificate Graded (Superb 98 Jumbo, SMQ $1,900).Scott No. 9; $100. Complete images including certificate(s): View gallery or Download PDF (3.0MB). |  | $100 |
| 92 | 1852, 1¢ blue, type IV, vertical pair. Canceled by manuscript "Paid 22" additional prepaid rating on folded letter sheet to Berlin, Germany, with manuscript "Washington, Mo., Oct 21" origin postmark, letter short paid of the 30¢ Prussian Closed Mail rate and treated unpaid with "N. York Am. Pkt., 23, Oct 29" exchange cds, red Aachen transit backstamp; small tear in bottom stamp, otherwise Very Fine, an unusual postage and cash attempted prepayment combination.Scott No. 9; Estimate $400 - 600. |  | $400 |
| 93 | 1857, 3¢ pinkish, type I. Position 93R4, bottom margin single, New York town cancel, ample to mostly large margins, bright radiant color indicative of this extraordinary shade, an Extremely Fine gem, with 2016 P.F. certificate.Scott No. 11 var.; $5,750.A TRULY MAGNIFICENT SHEET MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE EXTRAORDINARILY RARE 1857 3¢ PINKISH - WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES EXTANT. This 3¢ pinkish is rarest recognized color of all 1851 3¢ issues. This elusive shade is known from printings of both plate four and plate eight. With only a small handful of examples certified by the P.F. and Dr. Amonette, including one on cover example signed by Dr. Amonette.Complete images including certificate(s): View gallery or Download PDF (2.9MB). |  | $5,750 |
| 94 | 1855, 10¢ green, type II. Stunning huge margins all around including parts of five adjoining stamps, deep rich color with an intense impression, neat strike of partial grid cancel, a Superb jumbo gem, with 2009 and 2014 P.F. certificates, the latter Graded (Gem 100 Jumbo).Scott No. 14; $145.THE ULTIMATE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1855 10¢ TYPE II IMPERFORATE, GRADED GEM 100 JUMBO BY THE PHILATELIC FOUNDATION. THE HIGHEST GRADE POSSIBLE, AND ONLY EXAMPLE TO ACHIEVE IT. AN EXTRAORDINARY STAMP IN EVERY RESPECT. The stamp offered here is a true condition rarity with four enormous margins framing the entire stamp design. Considering that large 10¢ used blocks are rare, usually with faults and close margins, it is hard to imagine another "perfect" used example being harvested from a multiple.The P.S.E. opinioned on this stamp in 2010 stating that is stamp has "overall light cleaning". However we found no evidence of this whatsoever and our conclusion backed up by the clear 2014 P.F. certificate. |  | $145 |
| 95 | 1857, 3¢ rose, type I. O.g., lightly hinged, outstanding centering for this tightly margined issue, bright, rich Post Office fresh color, sharp detailed impression, Very Fine and choice, with 2024 P.F. certificate Graded (VF-XF 85, SSV $6,000).Scott No. 25; $3,000.AN EXCEPTIONAL ORIGINAL GUM EXAMPLE OF THE 3¢ 1857 TYPE I IN GEM CONDITION. Until Toppan, Carpenter introduced new 3¢ plates with wider spacing between stamps to allow for perforations, they began perforating sheets that had been printed from the earlier Type I Plates in early 1857. It is due to the narrow spacing on the plate makes it exceptionally challenging to acquire them with precise centering. In contrast to the 1857 3¢ Type III variety (Scott 26), the 1857 3¢ Perforated Type I stamps are rarely found in original gum condition.Complete images including certificate(s): View gallery or Download PDF (2.9MB). |  | $3,000 |
| 96 | 1857, 3¢ dull red, type III. Manuscript canceled on "Beardless" Abraham Lincoln campaign cover addressed to Rock Island, Ill., with endorsement "Letters & Plot of Sand in Minnesota" at lower left and lacking origin postmark, Very Fine, with 2024 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 26.Milgram No. AL-55; Estimate $600 - 800. Complete images including certificate(s): View gallery or Download PDF (3.0MB). |  | $600 |
| 97 | 1858, 5¢ brick red, type I. In combination with 1859, 10¢ green, type V (35), both attractively centered, tied by neat "San Francisco, Cal., Sep 11, 1860" cds on cover to Paris, France, manuscript "via Panama" endorsement and red "New York, Paid 12, Oct 16" exchange cds's additionally tying 10¢, French transit cds and receiving backstamp, Very Fine and choice.Scott No. 27; Estimate $500 - 750. |  | $500 |
| 98 | 1861, 5¢ orange brown, type II. Well centered with rich intense color, in combination with 1860, 5¢ brown, type II, two singles (30A) on cover to Paris, France, all tied by blue target cancels with matching "New Orleans, La., Jul 24, 1862" cds, red "New York, 6, Aug 2" exchange cds, boxed "P.D." handstamp and Calais transit cds in red, receiving backstamp; light cover fold, Very Fine and attractive.Scott No. 30; Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.A RARE AND MOSTLY LIKELY UNIQUE LATE DEMONETIZED BUT ACCEPTED 1860-61 5¢ ORANGE BROWN & 5¢ BROWN COMBINATION USAGE FROM UNION-OCCUPIED NEW ORLEANS, LA. The 5¢ orange brown, type II had a very short period of use as the earliest recorded usage is May 8th of 1861 and by August of that year the issue was demonetized. It is quite unusual that the New York exchange office did not recognize the demonetized issue and mark the cover as unpaid. |  | $2,000 |
| 99 | 1860, 5¢ brown, type II, vertical pair. Canceled by neat waffle grid cancels on red and blue Liberty & Flag patriotic cover to Sands O., matching "Marysville, Cal., Sep 22" cds, with original enclosure with matching patriotic letterhead datelined "Marysville, Cal., September 15, 1861" with interesting details of his journey from Ohio to California and the great difficulties encountered in the passage…"It was a tiresome trip I assure you, so tiresome that this one will do me. We left Lancaster, Ohio Apr 11th and got here August 13th one hundred and 22 days on the way…Lost 7 head of horses and one man out of our party…The man drowned in the Plat river Nebraski", and ends letter with notation…"it's Evry man here for my self anot the devil for the rest", Very Fine, ex-Rohloff.Scott No. 30A; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.A WONDERFUL PATRIOTIC COVER AND MATCHING LETTERHEAD USAGE FROM CALIFORNIA. |  2 | $1,000 |
| 100 | 1857, 12¢ black, plate I. Neat and complimentary red grid cancel, exceptionally well centered, intense shade and crisp impression, a Superb gem, one of three to grade as such with no examples higher, with 1987, 2009 P.F. & 2009, 2014 and 2020 P.S.E. certificates, the latter three Graded (Superb 98, SMQ $9,000).Scott No. 36; $325.A PHENOMENAL EXAMPLE WHICH IS CERTAINLY THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SINGLE 1857 12¢ BLACK THAT WE HAVE EVER HAD THE PLEASURE TO OFFER. Due to the narrow spacing between stamps on the 12¢ Plate I, very little room was left for perforations. Examples such as this are incredibly rare.Complete images including certificate(s): View gallery or Download PDF (8.6MB). |  | $325 |
