United States "Back of the Book" Stamps and Postal History - Stamp Auctions
 Lot 31 - United States "Back of the Book" Stamps and Postal History local stamps - H. R. Harmer Inc January 26, 2022: “Erivan” Collection Part VI106L1, 1849 Messenkope's Union Square Post Office (New York, NY), (1c) Black on Green, two singles (one with pre-application crease) at top left and right of small locally-addressed envelope, each stamp tied by red "Paid" in arc, Extremely Fine, only a small handful of covers are known with two Messenkope's stamps paying the 2c rate, of which only two (the other ex-Golden) bear the red "Paid" in arc of the New York City post office, 1994 Philatelic Foundation certificate (Scott $3,000)rnProvenance: Edgar Kuphal (R.A. Siegel, Sale 925, Nov 2006)"Erivan" Collection Part VI H. R. Harmer Inc January 26, 2022: “Erivan” Collection Part VIUnited States "Back of the Book" Stamps and Postal History local stamps |
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 Lot 26 - United States "Back of the Book" Stamps and Postal History local stamps - H. R. Harmer Inc January 26, 2022: “Erivan” Collection Part VI43L1, City Dispatch Post Office (New Orleans, LA), (5c) Black on green, 43L1, City Dispatch Post Office (New Orleans, LA), (5c) Black on green, margins large to full, tied by New Orleans datestamp on folded letter to «Mrs. Capt. W.H.T. Walker, Albany, New York», large handstamped «10» at upper right, lengthy letter from Captain Walker to his wife written while en route to New Orelans, Very Fine, the only example of this stamp on cover and one of only three copies in existence, one of the great local post rarities which has been missing from even the most advanced collectionsrnThe New Orleans City Dispatch Post Office stamp comes on both pink and green paper. Of the pink stamp only five examples are recorded (including three on cover). Another cover with the green stamp was offered in the Caspary and Lilly sales, although it is now known that the stamp did not originate. The third example is known only from Sloane»s records and has not been seen in decades. The husband of the recipient of this cover, William H.T. Walker, was promoted to major due to his service during the Mexican-American War and later served as a general for the Confederacy during the Civil War. In his lengthy letter to his wife he notes that he is returning to New Orleans, he mentions the unreliable mail service and his intention to resign at the conclusion of the war.rnLeonard Huber and Clarence A. Wagner's The Great Mail notes that the New Orleans City Despatch Post Office was first advertised in the Daily Picayune in April of 1847. The text of the advertisement reads:rnThe undersigned, having purchased of the late proprietors all the interest in the above Office, will continue the operations of the same, in the most efficient manner, and hope by prompt and faithful attention to its duties to render it deserving of public confidence and support. The principal office has been removed from its former location, and is now permanently established at No. 108 St. Charles street corner of Poydras. rnThe City Despatch Post is intended as a medium through which the public can be accommodated in the delivery of letters and communications to any point within the city limits. Postage on each Letter 5 cents, or 30 stamps for $1. It will include the delivery of Letters of every description, such as Business Letters, Bank Notices, Society Notices, Notices of Deaths, Circulars, Cards, Valentines, Invitations to Balls, Parties, etc. Also particular attention will be paid to carrying letters intended for mailing to the United States Post Office. Persons in whatever business, and any others, receiving letters, newspapers, &c., through the U.S. Post Office, wishing to avoid trouble and delay in obtaining them, can at their request, and by leaving their names and addresses at the principal office St. Charles street, have them placed in the Despatch Box, which is permanently located in the U.S. Post Office, and from which they will be immediately taken and delivered as directed, within one hour after the arrivals of the mail by experienced and faithful carriers, or if so ordered they will be retained at the principal Office until called for. rnLadies particularly will find this a convenient mode of obtaining letters, &c., as by it they will be relieved from the delay and inconvenience attending the reception of a letter at the U.S. Post Office, in consequence of the almost impervious crowd always assembled about the place of delivery. rnThe hours of the Despatch Office are from 9 A.M.. to 6 P.M. except Sundays, on which days they are from 12 to 3 o'clock. "Erivan" Collection Part VI H. R. Harmer Inc January 26, 2022: “Erivan” Collection Part VIUnited States "Back of the Book" Stamps and Postal History local stamps |
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 Lot 21 - United States "Back of the Book" Stamps and Postal History Carriers Stamps - H. R. Harmer Inc January 26, 2022: “Erivan” Collection Part VI3LB2, Boston, MA, 1851 1c Blue, margins large to clear, tied by red cancel to 1850 embossed cover with 1847 5c Brown (1) tied by black grid, red "Boston 5 3 Oct" datestamp, addressed to Newington, Connecticut, original contents included, carrier stamp with small pre-application tear, Very Fine, one of only four recorded covers with the 1847 5c and second Boston carrier stamp, USPCS Census #3356 (Scott $12,500)rnProvenance: J. Waldo SampsonrnWeill Brothers (Signature on reverse)"Erivan" Collection Part VI H. R. Harmer Inc January 26, 2022: “Erivan” Collection Part VIUnited States "Back of the Book" Stamps and Postal History Carriers Stamps |
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 Lot 32 - United States "Back of the Book" Stamps and Postal History local stamps - H. R. Harmer Inc January 26, 2022: “Erivan” Collection Part VI107L1, 1855 Metropolitan Errand & Carrier Express Company (New York, NY), 1c Red orange, cut to shape, tied by black framed "C.O.D." handstamp with second strike alongside, on locally-addressed folded letter, Very Fine, particularly attractive with Metropolitan's "C.O.D." handstamp (Scott $600)rnProvenance: Herman Toaspern (Backstamp)"Erivan" Collection Part VI H. R. Harmer Inc January 26, 2022: “Erivan” Collection Part VIUnited States "Back of the Book" Stamps and Postal History local stamps |
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 Lot 27 - United States "Back of the Book" Stamps and Postal History local stamps - H. R. Harmer Inc January 26, 2022: “Erivan” Collection Part VI74L1, 1879 Guy's City Despatch (Philadelphia, PA), (1c) Pink, tied by clear strike of purple "Guy's City Dispatch 1123 Chestnut St." double-line oval handstamp to cover front to local street address, light edgewear, still Very Fine stamp and cancel (Scott $800 for cover)"Erivan" Collection Part VI H. R. Harmer Inc January 26, 2022: “Erivan” Collection Part VIUnited States "Back of the Book" Stamps and Postal History local stamps |
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 Lot 22 - United States "Back of the Book" Stamps and Postal History Carriers Stamps - H. R. Harmer Inc January 26, 2022: “Erivan” Collection Part VI5LB2, Brown & McGill's USPO Despatch (Louisville, KY), (2c) Blue, unused block of four with large margins showing complete framelines all around, Very Fine showpiece, an exceedingly rare stamp in multiples of any size (Scott $1,250)"Erivan" Collection Part VI H. R. Harmer Inc January 26, 2022: “Erivan” Collection Part VIUnited States "Back of the Book" Stamps and Postal History Carriers Stamps |
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 Lot 33 - United States "Back of the Book" Stamps and Postal History local stamps - H. R. Harmer Inc January 26, 2022: “Erivan” Collection Part VI120L1, 1854 Price’s Eighth Avenue Post Office (New York, NY), (2c) Red on bluish, margins full to grazing, affixed at upper left of cover with 1851 3c Dull red (11, left sheet margin) tied by New York datestamp, addressed to Bangor, Maine, Very Fine, only about seven examples of the Price's stamp are known to exist with this being one of just a few believed to have originated on cover, signed "Original & guaranteed, Geo B Sloane" (Scott $7,500)"Erivan" Collection Part VI H. R. Harmer Inc January 26, 2022: “Erivan” Collection Part VIUnited States "Back of the Book" Stamps and Postal History local stamps |
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 Lot 28 - United States "Back of the Book" Stamps and Postal History local stamps - H. R. Harmer Inc January 26, 2022: “Erivan” Collection Part VI84L2, Hopedale Penny Post (Milford, MA), (1c) Black on pink, Type 2, plain asterisks in corners, margins clear to large including left sheet margin, tied to small piece with 1851 3c Red (11), large portion "Milford Ms. May 13" datestamp, Extremely Fine (Scott $1,000)rnProvenance: Alfred H. Caspary (H.R. Harmer Sale 1072, 1957)rnJohn R. Boker, Jr. (Private transaction)rnDavid Golden (R.A. Siegel Sale 817, 1999)"Erivan" Collection Part VI H. R. Harmer Inc January 26, 2022: “Erivan” Collection Part VIUnited States "Back of the Book" Stamps and Postal History local stamps |
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 Lot 23 - United States "Back of the Book" Stamps and Postal History local stamps - H. R. Harmer Inc January 26, 2022: “Erivan” Collection Part VI15L13, 1850 Blood's Despatch (Philadelphia, PA), 1c Bronze on Black glazed, affixed to upper left of cover with 1847 10c Black (2, scissor cut at bottom) tied by blue grid, matching light Philadelphia datestamp alongside, April 23, 1850 docketing, addressed to Delafield, Wisconsin, cover with staining along top edge (ties the stamp) and tiny nick at left, local stamp small faults, still a Fine and rare use of a Blood's stamp alongside the 1847 10c, USPCS Census #11849 (Scott $9,000 for both stamps tied)"Erivan" Collection Part VI H. R. Harmer Inc January 26, 2022: “Erivan” Collection Part VIUnited States "Back of the Book" Stamps and Postal History local stamps |
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 Lot 34 - United States "Back of the Book" Stamps and Postal History local stamps - H. R. Harmer Inc January 26, 2022: “Erivan” Collection Part VI144L9, 1864(?) Westervelt's Post (Chester, NY), (1c) Red on pink, margins large to clear, used alongside 1861 3c Rose (65) with grid cancel, "Chester N.Y. Mar 30" datestamp, addressed in Charles Westervelt's own hand to Monroe, New York, small backflap faults and light water staining, still Fine use with perhaps as few as four examples of this stamp on cover (Scott $3,000)"Erivan" Collection Part VI H. R. Harmer Inc January 26, 2022: “Erivan” Collection Part VIUnited States "Back of the Book" Stamps and Postal History local stamps |
