Lot
1719 
1861, Dead Letter Office "Returned to the Writer because Unpaid" Label, black on yellow label affixed to seal torn flap on reverse of buff cover with "New-York, Feb 25" cds backstamp and matching "Held for Postage" handstamp to Troy N.Y., sent to Dead Letter office where sender's name ascertained, postage requested, remailed with 3¢ dull red (26) tied by two strikes of "New-York, Mar 20" duplex with circular grid cancel; flap torn from opening, F.-V.F. and rare. Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE "RETURNED TO THE WRITER BECAUSE UNPAID." PRECURSOR DEAD LETTER OFFICE SEAL.
There were two styles of these labels, one for fully unpaid postage reading "Returned to the Writer because unpaid. Postage must be pre-paid in full" (two recorded), and one for carrier fee unpaid reading "Returned to the writer because the Carrier's fee is unpaid." There are only three recorded examples of these labels (one recorded, ex-Vernon Morris). All three recorded labels were used in February 1861. They were probably made obsolete by the first Dead Letter Office return envelopes produced later in 1861.
Realized: $1,200