Lot
1012 
Forwarded by Peterson's Lower California Express from "La Paz", black on gray label with blue manuscript town designation, tied by sharp "San Francisco, Cal, Mar 9, 1862" double-circle datestamp, additional strike at bottom left and matching "SHIP.12" due rating handstamp on buff cover to Peacham Vt.; minor tone spot upper right, reduced slightly at right, Extremely Fine and choice. Thomas Nos. PET-401 Estimate $20,000 - 30,000.
A STUNNING COVER. ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE PETERSON'S LOWER CALIFORNIA EXPRESS LABEL USED ON COVER.
The three recorded examples are:
1. PET-401 Label with pencil "San Francisco" origin, tied by red "Espreso de la Baja Cala." oval to La Paz, Mexico, blue Wells Fargo San Francisco double-circle, ex-Knapp, Grant, Haas, Forster and "Baja".
2. PET-401 Label with blue ms. "La Paz" origin, tied by San Francisco Cal. cds to Peacham Vt., the example offered here.
3. PET-401 Label with ms. "San Lucas" origin, red "Estafeta De Baja California" oval cancel to San Francisco Cal., manuscript "Capo St Lucas Apl 11, 1863" docket at left, ex-Dale-Lichtenstein, Walske.
Using coastal steamers, Charles M. Peterson ran a daily service between San Francisco and La Paz, Mexico. He established an office in Henry Payot's Book Store in San Francisco. He may have established a pony/mule service between Cape San Lucas and La Paz.
Reference: Pictured in Nathan on p. 168 and Pictured in Letters of Gold on p. 210.
Realized: $21,000
Lot
1600 (
)
1880, 12¢ blackish purple, A.B.N.C. "Soft Paper" Special Printing, without gum as issued, beautifully centered amid large well balanced margins, rich bold color on distinctive soft paper, Extremely Fine and choice, very rare, one of only sixty four certified examples known; with 2011 P.F. certificate Graded (XF 90, SMQ $21,000). Scott Nos. 198 $9,500.
AN OUTSTANDING SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE 1880 12¢ SPECIAL PRINTING ISSUE.
Realized: $14,000
Lot 1266 P
1869 (1875 Re-issues), 1¢-90¢ complete, "Atlanta" trial color plate proofs on card, the complete set of 78 proofs, rich vibrant colors throughout, most with large margins with some clear and only one 3¢ slightly in at bottom, all bright and fresh, a Very Fine set.Scott Nos. 123TC4a-132TC4k $21,400.
AN EXTREMELY RARE COMPLETE SET OF THE 1869 PICTORIAL "ATLANTA" TRIAL COLORS.
Realized: $12,000
Lot
1723
1909, 4¢ orange brown, bluish paper, o.g., lightly hinged, attractively centered, bright color and full intact perforations, fresh and Fine; with 2000 P.F. certificate. Scott Nos. 360 $27,500.
AN HANDSOME EXAMPLE OF THE OF THE 1909 4¢ BLUISH PAPER RARITY.
According to Johl (Vol. 1, page 175), the only source of the 4¢ and 8¢ Bluish stamps was the archives of the Post Office Department. Approximately 80 of each were traded for rare stamps missing from the archives. Given the failed experimental nature of the paper mixture, it is no surprise that virtually all copies are off-center to some extent.
Realized: $16,000
Lot
930
1901, Pan-Americans complete, first day cover, rich colors, tied by partial registry ovals, purple "Sub-Sta. No. 37, Wash. D.C., Registered, May 1, 1901" double-circle datestamp on registered First Day cover to Munich, Germany, New York registry label (No. 19457), reverse with New York (5.2) transit and Munich (5.13) arrival cds; faint toning bands from flap gum, otherwise Very Fine, ex-Gibson. Scott Nos. 294-299 $30,000.
ONE OF ONLY SIXTEEN RECORDED FIRST DAY COVERS A COMPLETE SET OF THE PAN-AMERICAN ISSUE.
There are now a total of seven used from Washington D.C. having the same stamp configuration with New York registry exchange label numbers in the range (19447, 19452, 19457, 19458, 19465, 19468, 19474), including five to Germany, one to Finland and one to Switzerland.
Realized: $7,500
Lot
297
Newfoundland, Airmail, 1932, $1.50 on $1 Dornier DO-X Flight, inverted surcharge, o.g., nicely centered, strong color, Very Fine, Only 50 Were Printed; with 1959 R.P.S.L. (photocopy) and 2004 Brandon certificates, Sanabria and Billig backstamps. Newf. Spec. Nos. AM13b $20,750. Scott Nos. C12a $20,000.
A RARE EXAMPLE OF DORNIER DO-X WITH INVERTED SURCHARGE.
Realized: $9,000
Lot
1222
(Civil War) E. H. Cushing Express, black on white newsprint label, Dietz Type II, affixed to reverse of brown homemade cover originating west of the Mississippi River to Averysboro N.C., label tied together with CSA 10¢ blue (11), large margins, by "Mobile Ala. Mar 12" cds where Cushing's eastern office was maintained; 10¢ small shallow scuff and creasing from placement over edge of cover, label with small tear at right, Very Fine, ex-Knapp, MacBride and Everett. C.S.A. Catalog Nos. B Estimate $7,500 - 10,000.
THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE CUSHING TRANS-MISSISSIPPI EXPRESS LABEL TIED BY A POSTAL MARKING.
E. H. Cushing, editor of the Houston Daily Telegraph newspaper, commenced his express service after New Orleans fell to the Federals in April 1862 as an effort to improve communications between Texan regiments in the East and secure safe lines for news transmission. The 500-mile express ran between Houston and Mobile, or Selma, with pony riders and other means of conveyance necessary to cross Federal lines. The labels were typeset at his newspaper and several types are recorded. They were affixed by Cushing's agents on the reverse of covers carried by the express to advertise the service.
The Type B Cushing label on white paper was used on eastbound mail in 1863 and early 1864.
Realized: $8,000
Lot
540
Mexico, 1861, Second Issue, 4r black on yellow, quadrisect, upper right portion of stamp in combination with 1861, Second Issue, 4r black on yellow, vertical bisect, Zacatecas left portion of stamp, both showing district overprint, tied by straight line Zacatecas handstamp (Schatzkes 1849) on fresh folded letter sheet to San Luis Potosi, Very Fine and choice, only 10 covers are shown with a quadrisect in the 1970's census, very few combinations of splits exist on this issue, ex-Mazepa; with 1995 M.E.P.S.I. certificate. Scott Nos. 9c+9a Estimate $6,000 - 8,000.
Realized: $8,000
Lot 2135 o
Proprietary, 1873, $5 green & black, violet paper, Rich colors and detailed impressions, 1879 manuscript cancel, small sealed tear at right center (not mentioned on certs.), Very Fine appearance; with clear 1977 & 2022 P.F. certificates.Scott Nos. RB10a $11,000.
AN ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE $5 PROPRIETARY ON VIOLET PAPER.
Examples of the $5.00 Proprietary Issue almost invariably have faults, due to the stamp's large size and the nature of its use. The Kingsley book contains a table showing 2,109 stamps ordered and he records only 119 copies extant.
Realized: $5,000
Lot 16 E
Great Britain, 1887, Queen Victoria Jubilee, 1½d gray lilac, pale blue, deep blue & white, hand-painted essay, skillfully executed design on white card (89x118mm) in similar colors to the issued 9d Jubilee, manuscript pencil "A." at upper left and "2½ anna" as this design was also considered for a new issue of India, Very Fine, ex-Chartwell. SG Nos. 198E.S.G. Spec. Nos. K29 Essay £8,500 ($10,120).
A UNIQUE HAND-PAINTED ESSAY SUBMITTED FOR THE 1892 1½D JUBILEE ISSUE.
Realized: $5,000