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D. O. Blood & Co., Philadelphia Pa., (3c) Black on Grayish, “D.O.B. & Cos.” Initials (15L4).
Full to large margins, tied by blue “Philadelphia Pa. Sep. 22” circular datestamp with matching “5” in double-circle handstamp on folded cover to New York City street address, receipt docketing confirms 1845 year date.
EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE FINEST TIED EXAMPLES OF THE RARE BLOOD’S FIRST STRIDING
MESSENGER ISSUE WITH MANUSCRIPT CONTROL MARK.
The Striding Messenger stamp, issued in 1843 by the Philadelphia Despatch Post and adopted by D. O. Blood & Co., is the first pictorial stamp in the world. It depicts a gargantuan letter carrier — the “City Despatch Post” bag slung over his shoulder — stepping over the Merchant’s Exchange Building, which housed Philadelphia’s post office.
Illustrated in Chronicle (No. 220, p. 318). Ex German Sale, Brown, Hurd, Hall and Jarrett
2019-06-26 2019 Rarities of the World Sale 1205
U.S.P.O., Philadelphia Pa., 1c Blue (7LB12). Ample to large margins, extraordinary dark shade and intense impression, tied by red star cancel, “Downington Pa.” dateless circle handstamp on folded letter datelined “Downington Novr. 11th 1852” to local Philadelphia attorney at 981
⁄4 South 4th Street, manuscript “Paid”, Extremely Fine, this stamp is rarely found tied on cover, the use from Downington is believed to be unique, ex Gibson and Kuphal, with 2007 P.F. certificate.
American Letter Mail Co., (5c) Blue on Gray (5L3). Position 13, ample margins to mostly clear at right, tied by manuscript “DB” cancel on June 7, 1845 folded letter from Philadelphia to New York, red “Forwarded By American Mail Co. No. 101 Chestnut St. Philada.” in circle with matching “Paid” straightline handstamp.
EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF TWO TIED EXAMPLES AMONG THE TWELVE RECORDED COVERS BEARING THE RARE BLUE EAGLE STAMP OF AMERICAN LETTER MAIL COMPANY.
This use of the rare Blue Eagle stamp probably occurred soon before the independent mail firms were effectively abolished by the government. On July 1, 1845, the postage rate for distances under 300 miles was reduced to 5c per half-ounce. By the same Act of Congress, Federal law prohibited the carrying of letters by private companies between cities where the Post Office Department offered inter-city mail service. American Letter Mail Company, which had aroused popular support for cheaper domestic postage, was a catalyst for the 1845 legislation. However, it could no longer sustain its fight with the government over mail routes and closed on June 30, 1845.
The Large Eagle stamp in Blue is recorded on covers dated from August 1844 through June 1845, with about half of the reported covers addressed to Hopkins & Weston in New York. The Blue and Black color scheme for the American Letter Mail Co. Large Eagle stamps, which lack a denomination (unlike their predecessor issue, the Small Eagle), may have been modeled upon Great Britain’s 1840 Penny Black and Two-Pence Blue. The Blue stamp was used for the single rate, but its original purpose might have been to pay a double rate.
Ex Perry, Schwartz and “Gordon N. John”.
2019-06-26 2019 Rarities of the World Sale 1205
Type I circular mark impressed at left on March 30, 1836 folded letter to Reading Pa., red “Phila. 31 Mar.” in octagonal frame, matching “Paid” in octagon handstamp, skillfully reinforced along folds and minor cosmetic improvements along edges. VERY FINE. ONE OF 12-14 RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE NORTHERN LIBERTIES NEWS ROOMS MARKING, WHICH WAS APPLIED TO MAIL HANDLED BY THE SUB POST OFFICE OPERATED BY ANDREW McMAKIN.
Prior to 1854, the Northern Liberties area (north of Vine Street) was outside Philadelphia’s city limits. Carriers were used to transport mail between outlying areas and the main post office in Philadelphia. The term Sub Post Office refers to a location where letters could be deposited for delivery to the main post office. The Northern Liberties News Rooms, which advertised its services as early as 1833, established a Sub Post Office in 1835. The proprietor at this time was Andrew McMakin. A news item appearing in the October 10, 1835, edition of the Philadelphia Saturday Courier states: “The enterprising, attentive and indefatigable proprietor of that popular establishment, the Northern Liberties Free Admission News Room, has found the business of his Sub Post Office so much on the increase, as to induce him to prepare a new and appropriate stamp, which we perceive is now imprinted upon all letters deposited at his office.” (from research by Elliott Perry and J. William Middendorf). Later advertisements link the Sub Post Office in Northern Liberties with the main Philadelphia post office, which reinforces its status as an authorized drop point for mail.
Debate among postal historians (Perry, Hahn et al) has focused on when the distinctive marking (Type I or II) was applied to letters. Some have argued that it is a press-printed impression applied to lettersheets prior to use and is, therefore, a carrier stamp. In support of the pressprinted argument is the consistent orientation of the marking at the left side and at the same degree relative to the paper upon which it is impressed; it would be impossible to apply a handheld striking device so consistently. Arguing against this press-printed theory are those who cite the effects of folds on the markings and impressions thru the paper, physical evidence that proves the marking was applied after the lettersheet had been folded. Our opinion is that the markings were applied after the letter was folded and given to the Sub Post Office, but that a mechanical device — similar to a corporate seal — was used to make the impression. Each letter, when inserted into the device along the guides, would receive the impression in the same relative position and orientation, not unlike a three-hole paper-punch device commonly used today.
In summary, historical evidence supports the status of the Northern Liberties News Rooms Sub Post Office as an official carrier drop point for mail to the main Philadelphia post office. However, physical evidence refutes the claim that these lettersheets were sold to patrons as stamped stationery to indicate prepayment of the carrier fee; the marking is better classified as an elaborate and mechanically-applied indication of letter handling. Calvet M. Hahn recorded between 12 and 14 examples of Type I (some duplication of items is
possible).
2019-06-26 2019 Siegel Rarities of the World Sale 1205
The Civil War created the need for an entirely new issue of postage stamps, and the contract was awarded to the National Bank Note Company. The 1861s and 2¢ 1863 Black Jack were current during the war. In 1866 the first commemorative stamp—the 15¢ Lincoln— was added to the series. Grills were introduced in 1867 to prevent stamp reuse. In 1869 the innovative Pictorial stamps were issued, but after just one year they were replaced with the Large Bank Note Portrait series.
Postmarks of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1757-1899,
by James G. Boyles (1937-2012), Gold Medal Exhibit
Background: Located in the lower southeast section of Pennsylvania, Lancaster was the largest inland town in the colonies, but had to reply on postal facilities in Philadelphia where letters for settlers in the “back country” were advertised to be picked up. First references to a post office in Lancaster was in 1753 on a document “printed by S. Holland at the post office in King’s Street”. Samuel Holland published the Lancaster Gazette at that address. By 1756 advertised letters were being held at the post office in Lancaster. The town was fortunate to have one of the first turnpikes (Philadelphia to Lancaster and West) where post riders were gradually replaced by stage coaches to carry the mail. Records of Lancaster postmasters prior to 1790 are lost. In that year there were seventy-five Post Offices in the U.S., ten in Pennsylvania of which Lancaster was one.
Objective: This exhibit is a study of the reported markings, rates and usages of Lancaster city from 1757 to 1899. All known postmarks of the 1785-1899 period appear on this exhibit. Also several pre-1785 Parliamentary and Colonial covers are exhibited.
Order of Exhibit: The exhibit follows the time line of reported townmarks. The townmarks are printed in blue for easier identification.
Noteworthy Material: Material matted in blue is of special philatelic or historic interest.
Boyles-Postmarks Lancaster County 1757-1899 Part 1 (1.5MB)
Boyles-Postmarks Lancaster County 1757-1899 Part 2 (1.5MB)
Boyles-Postmarks Lancaster County 1757-1899 Part 3 (2.5MB)
Boyles-Postmarks Lancaster County 1757-1899 Part 4 (2.0MB)
Boyles-Postmarks Lancaster County 1757-1899 Part 5 (1.8MB)
Boyles-Postmarks Lancaster County 1757-1899 Part 6 (2.2MB)
