Lot Details

May 8, 1866, The "Chittenden Eagle", perfect strike ties 1861 3c Rose (65) to large piece, May 8 date slug, extremely fine, after extensive research we believe this to be the only genuine example of the famed "Chittenden Eagle", which was described in the sale of the Knapp collection as the "'pièce de résistance' of alI cancellations", an extraordinary rarity 
The "Chittenden Eagle" is named for its discoverer, Dr. J. Brace Chittenden. Chittenden served as President of the Collectors Club from 1911 to 1912 and again in 1920. A brochure for the Club from the late 1940s states, «Dr. Chittenden did more to make the Collectors Club Library what it is to-day than anyone not closely associated with the Club can realize. It was through his untiring work that the splendid Index was established. He gave unselfishly of his time, working almost every week day and sometimes on Sundays.» After his death, the J. Brace Chittenden Memorial Fund provided a special endowment for «the acquisition of new material, maintenance of old material, and the binding of periodicals.» A prolific collector and writer, Chittenden»s handbook Mexico: Issue of 1874-1883 was published by the Collectors Club in 1918.
Although best-known for its foreign mail fancy cancellations, the New York City post office also employed a number of intricate and attractive designs for domestic mail. Amongst the most notable designs are the «Peace Dove» (formerly described as a «Bird on Nest»), a waving American flag, and a Union Soldier»s Head—the last of which was primarily used on foreign mail but is known on at least one domestic cover. Additionally a large number of geometric designs were in use, all of which establish a precedent for interesting and ornate cancellations. However, no other recorded cancellation from New York City comes close to matching the size, intricacy, or overall aesthetic of the Chittenden Eagle.
Several covers and pieces purporting to bear strikes of the Chittenden Eagle are known; we are currently in the middle of an in-depth study of this wonderful cancellation, and will publish our findings shortly. However, it is our strong belief that this piece represents the only known genuine example of the Chittenden Eagle.
Provenance: Dr. J. Brace Chittenden (Percy Doane, 1923)
Edward S. Knapp (Parke-Bernet Galleries, Sale 2, 1941)
Amos Eno (Richard Frajola, 1986)
Amos Eno (Frajola Sale 1986), Edward Knapp, J.D. Chittenden