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
