Auction Detail
3070 – ERIVAN X
Sullivan's Dispatch Post, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1853, (2c) black on green, cut octagonally and affixed to folded letter datelined 18 June, 1853, postmarked with blue "Cincinnati O. 5 / Jun / 25" c.d.s., to Louisville, Kentucky, vertical filing folds, one through adhesive, of no importance given the unique status of this example, with Robson Lowe's handwritten guarantee on reverse, a rarity.
Three different types of the Sullivan's Dispatch Post local are recorded; the (2c) black on green glazed paper offered here, a (2c) bluish black on wove paper, uncancelled on a magazine, one of two examples of which is housed in the Smithsonian National Postal Museum; and an unused (2c) green on wove paper.
Telegraph Despatch Post Office, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1c black on yellowish paper, margins ample to large, cancelled with black manuscript "X", on partial folded letter to Washington, D.C., postmarked with blue "Philadelphia 5cts" c.d.s., cover with some staining predominantly at left, adhesive with slight scuffing in margins, of little importance given the rarity of this local on cover, with 2021 Philatelic Foundation certificate; ex-Gibson, with his owner's mark on reverse.
The cover offered here is one of only three recorded in the Roth census (Penny Post, Vol 3, No. 4). A fourth has since been discovered.
Third Avenue Post Office, New York, 2c black on bluish paper, touching oval frameline in places as usual, pleasing dark colour, with 1855 3c dull red affixed beside and partially overtop "Paid" manuscript notation, tied by "New-York / May / 19" c.d.s., to Brunswick, Maine, an extremely attractive example of this rare local, one of only a handful of any Third Avenue Post Office examples recorded on cover, and the only recorded example of this type on cover, with 1999 Philatelic Foundation certificate; ex-Caspary, Lilly, , and Golden.
United States City Despatch Post, New York, 3c black on grayish paper, large balanced margins showing frameline on three sides, affixed to folded letter, cancelled with red framed "FREE" handstamp indicating usage as a local stamp, corresponding red "City Despatch Post NY" c.d.s. (April 30), some peripheral edge staining, else scarce and fine; with 2023 Philatelic Foundation certificate.
Adams Express Co., Louisville, Kentucky, 3c star die postal stationery cover, from an unknown location in the Confederacy, indicia cancelled with ideal "Adams Ex. Co. / Louisville, KY / Jul / 16 / 1861" c.d.s., to St. Louis, Missouri, entering the mails at Louisville, Kentucky, with blue JUL 20 c.d.s. tying 3c dull red, a beautiful "through the lines" cover with tremendous appeal.
Adams Express Co., Augusta, Georgia, full-front advertising cover, franked with 3c. dull red, tied by Augusta c.d.s., to Albion, Orleans County, New York, illustration depicting the company's South Western Division offices, Murphy, Printer of New York imprint on back flap, a beautiful cover, signed Jakubek, with his certificate.
Jerome & Co's Boston & Bangor Express, folded letter, with contents dated 26 August, 1848, embossed with cameo of "Major General William H. Harrison", the former President who had died seven years prior, regarding goods being shipped on board the schooner "St Jean," in port at Bangor and bound for Boston, "12 2" in manuscript on front, adjacent green imperforate stamp "Forwarded by / Jerome & Co’s / Boston & Bangor / Express", three line red handstamp "Return Answer to / Express Office / 7 State St, Boston", to Henry Ingalls in Boston, stain at top, a few light wrinkles to adhesive, some folds to contents fragile, else fine and scarce.
Moore's Newspaper and Parcel Express, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, undenominated, black on green imperforate adhesive, margins touching outer ornaments in places, on cover rated in manuscript, uncancelled, to Cape Island, New Jersey, with contents datelined August 17, 1849, fresh and rare; our research uncovered only one other example, with 2023 Philatelic Foundation certificate; ex Hollowbush and Hahn.
Angiers’ North San Juan and Humbug Express, elaborate printed frank on 3c pink postal stationery cover, cancelled in pen and postmarked with North San Juan, California c.d.s. (20 Nov), to Sacramento, the odd small toning spot mentioned for strict accuracy, reduced at right, just clear of indicia, an exceptional cover from this elusive express company; ex Lichtenstein, Clifford, Haas, and Edwards, illustrated in "Letters of Gold" (Page 171).
Angiers Express was a one-man express that operated from Humbug to North San Juan in Nevada County between 1861 and 1864, with mail being conveyed to North San Juan, as in the case of the cover offered here, or relayed to Wells, Fargo & Co.
Bannack City Express, A.J. Oliver & Co., cover franked with 3c red brown, cancelled with rosette fancy cancel in black, alongside "Cleveland O / May / 27" c.d.s., fair strike of "BANNACK CITY / EXPRESS" tombstone, reduced on three sides, resealed at top, overall wear, to Bannock City, Idaho; this portion of the Idaho Territory became part of Montana Territory on May 26, rare.
A.J. Oliver & Co operated the Bannack City Express from 1862-66, running from Bannack to the Utah Territory.
Coon Creek, California, Overland via Los Angeles, circa 1860, stage coach illustrated cover with route directive, franked with 10c green, tied in manuscript "Coon Creek Cala / Dec 5th / " to West Mills, Franklin County, Maine, no backstamps light wrinkles, fine and scarce.
F. Rumrill & Co.Northern Express, Connecting with Wells Fargo & Co, blue four-line handstamp on undated cover, noted “Paid 6” and “Collect $1.00” in manuscript, postmarked with neatly-struck Bennington VT c.d.s. (3 Nov), printed address of William R. Morgan, Foster’s Bar, Yuba County, partially crossed-out and readdressed “St. Louis, Sears Diggins”, California, slightly reduced at left, else scarce and fine; illustrated in “Letters of Gold” (pg. 214).