385th Auction

Boston, Massachusetts, Hill's Post, , 1849, 1c black on rose, large margins all around, used on folded letterwith adjacent red “Boston 10 Cts / 18 / Oct”, to Cincinnati, Ohio. A rare and fine franking. Only seven covers have been recorded, all but one of which have the adhesive untied. Philatelic Foundation certificate (2023 ) (Scott 81L1)

Mason’s New Orleans City Express, 1850/51, “1” in manuscript over ½ c.black on blue, tied by red grid to local folded letter datelined “Franklin House (Mrs. Taylor’s), 39 Canal Street”,  postmarked "N-ORLEANS CITY EXPRESS POST. LA / FEB / 6" (day in manuscript). The stamp cut out with a liitle piece of paper and skilfully replaced, cover with repairs. A rarity; one of only two recorded examples of this stamp. Certificate Philatelic Foundation (2024) (Scott 102L2)

Provenance: Alfred H. Caspary Maurice Burrus

Philadelphia Telegraph Despatch Post Office, 1848, 1c black on yellowish paper, ample to large margins, cancelled with black manuscript "X", on letter sheet to Washington D.C., with adjacent blue "Philadelphia 5cts" c.d.s. Stamp with slight scuffing in th emargins and cover slightly soiled. Certificate Philatelic Foundation (2021) (Scott 138L1)
 

Portland, Maine, Prince's Letter Despatch, 1861, undenominated black adhesive, ample to large margins on three sides, just touched at right, tied by indistinct circular cancellation to cover with adjacent 3c. rose, tied by "Hallowell ME  Mar 14", to Boston.The local with trivial horizontal crease at foot well clear of design, the 3c with natural straight-edge, cover with small nick at right and slightly reduced. A most attractive usage of this scarce local, one of only about a dozen covers known. Philatelic Foundation certificate  (2022) . (Scott 122L1)
 

New York, Messenkope's Union Square Post Office, 1849, (2c) black on pink, margins clear of outer oval on three sides, used on cover to Amos Street, with partial enclosure dated July 5, 1850, from the Manhattan Gas & Light Company. The cover with tears and the adhesive faulty. An extremely rare franking, with George B. Sloane guarantee signature on reverse, sent during the early period following the takeover of the company by Joseph E. Dunham from Charles Messenkope. Philatelic Foundation certificate (2023) (Scott 106L2, unpriced)

New York, Metropolitan Post Office, 1852, (2c) blue, cut to shape, tied by boxed "PAID / WH LAWS" to folded cover front wit adjacent “PAID …” at left, postmarked "Metropolian / P.O. / Mar / 20", to G. Robertson 135 Water Street. Stamp affected by strong filing crease, A rare franking. Philatelic Foundation certificate (2023) 
(Scott 108L3A)