3070 – ERIVAN X

Wharton, Texas, circa 1863, circular “10” in black and PAID struck on lined adhesive with ornate blue border, affixed to cover postmarked with Wharton, Texas c.d.s., to the Hon C.C. Herbert in Richmond, Virginia, endorsed at upper left “If - Herbert has left the city / the Post Master will please / hand this to the Post Master General / as it relates to P.O. Business / A.B. Betts.”, some creasing,  but a most unusual cover, to date the unique example of this adhesive; 1994 Philatelic Foundation certificate no longer accompanies.  This cover shares a similar history to the Waxahachie front offered in the previous lot. Like its companion, this  cover first appeared for sale in the Ferrary auction, offered with the other cover and twenty nine others, it being described merely as “stamp on cover” (June, 1922, lot 114). Warren H. Colson’s small “W.H.C.” handstamp is also faintly visible at the lower right corner of this cover, suggesting that this accompanied the Waxahachie front to his inventory. It also reappeared in the 1990s, displayed with other material belonging to well-known collector John Hill, and also later formed part of Andrew Levitt’s stock.This ultimate status of this cover is also a matter of much debate. It is not listed by Scott, was not referenced by Dietz, and is not found among the stamps recorded in the census’ of Phillips, Hart, or Crown.Regardless, it is a most charming and mysterious cover.