Lot
1526 
1888, 4¢ Carmine, Vertical Bisect, s.e. at left, tied by "Philadelphia Pa. Mar 12 '90" duplex on small local cover addressed to 220 Vine St., sharp "Due 2" handstamp and additional blue crayon "4", uncancelled 1891, 2¢ red brown postage due (J16) affixed; opened at left and top, Very Fine. Scott No. 215 var. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
A REMARKABLE AND UNIQUE 4¢ CARMINE 1888 ISSUE BISECT USE THAT WAS NOT ACCEPTED BY THE PHILADELPHIA POST OFFICE RESULTING IN POSTAGE DUE.
Even though bisects were deemed illegal, post offices generally tolerated and accepted them as payment of postage. We know of only a few examples during the large banknote issue period where the post office did not accept the bisects.
Realized: $900