Lot
550 
N(orthern) L(iberties) News Rooms, Via Sub Post Office. Type I impression at lower left of folded letter to Honesdale, Pa., letter Quaker datelined "Philadelphia 3d Mo. 10th, 1836", red "Phila. Mar 11" octagon date stamp struck on front and reverse, manuscript "12½" rate; minor cover edge tear at top center, Very Fine and rare, one of 14 known examples of the first type Northern Liberties News Rooms handstamp known. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
The Northern Liberties Sub Post Office was established by Alexander McMackin in late 1835 and operated for a short time until early 1836 in the Northern Liberties News Room. News editorial in the October 10, 1835 edition of the Satuday Courier mentioned the business of a Sub Post Office and "a new and appropriate stamp…now imprinted upon all letters deposited at his office.". There is evidence that this stamp was preprinted on lettersheets, however many of the known covers, including the one offered here, where impressed after being folded showing circular rim indentations of the device in underlying sheets.
Realized: $3,250