Lot
2526 (
)
City and Suburban Telegraph Co., 1855, 1¢ black, se-tenant block, block of 12 with two rows of 2¢-1¢-1¢-1¢-2¢-3¢ denominations, representing the bottom two rows and sheet margin from the sheet of 60, without gum as issued, full to large margins all around, light pencil in margin indicating this block was found and presented on May 26, 1876; some creasing and faults including small holes with one affecting position 4, Fine appearance, ex-Stephen Rich. Scott No. 6T1-6T3 Estimate $10,000 - 15,000.
A TRULY EXCEPTIONAL TELEGRAPH STAMP RARITY, A HIGHLIGHT OF THE COOPERMAN COLLECTION. THIS IS THE LARGEST KNOWN MULTIPLE OF THE CITY AND SUBURBAN TELEGRAPH CO., WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY THOUGHT TO HAVE BEEN BROKEN UP.
The New York City & Suburban Printing Telegraph Co., organized in 1855, was the first private telegraph company in the world to issue stamps. According to the Kramer book, it was not profitable and its line was leased to Henry Bentley (of Bentley's Dispatch). Bentley experimented with a system of message depositories, for which these stamps were intended. The concept quickly failed and the stamps went unused for the most part.
This block originates from a complete sheet of 60 stamps that the Economist Stamp Company acquired in 1935 and divided it into strips and singles, including the block of the bottom two rows that is offered here. It had been reported as having been broken up as it has never been offered at public auction.
Realized: $15,000