3070 – ERIVAN X

U.S. Naval Lyceum, oval full-rigged ship illustrated handstamp in black, superbly-struck on folded letter to a Captain on the U.S.S. Natchez, at the time docked in Pensacola, Florida, contents datelined "U.S. Naval Lyceum, Navy Yards New York, August 13th, 1836", an exceptional quality strike and most unusual usage as an origin mark rather than on forwarded mail, particularly desirable given its early usage, the odd small stain, clear of marking, an ideal strike; illustrated in the American Philatelist, March 1957, described as "one of the most perfect strikes of the U.S. Naval Lyceum.