Lot
1639 
(Kentucky Military Institute) Military Institute, Franklin Co., Ky., Col E.W. Morgan, Supt., clear full strike of fancy Eagle & Shield postmark with "Feby 9" date below, on 1855, 3¢ Nesbitt entire to Louisiana, matching "Paid 3" in circle canceling indicia; cover split silked back together, restored tear affect both the postmark and indicia and repaired corner erosion at top right, otherwise Very Fine. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
QUITE CERTAINLY THE FINEST KNOWN STRIKE OF THIS EXTREMELY RARE FANCY MILITARY POSTMARK.
Military Institute, Franklin Co., Ky., was one of the two Kentucky post offices making use of a county postmark before the Civil War. The other being Lodge, Ky. in Fulton county on stampless covers. Not only is this fancy "Eagle & Shield" a county postmark, but it is a college handstamp and a postmaster's, as well as E.W. Morgan shown as "Supt." doubled as postmaster with the post office being in one of the school's buildings.
Realized: $1,000