Values of US Stamps Scott Cat. # 9X1 – 1846 5c New York Postmasters Provisional. Page 14

New York N.Y., 5c Black, “ACM” Initials (Scott 9X1). Position 4, with major double transfer, full to large margins, neat blue pen cancel, Very Fine and choice example of this position which shows significant shifts in the lower label and the oval

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2010, Sale 999, Lot 534

New York N.Y., 5c Black, “ACM” Initials (9X1). Part original gum described as “trace” on accompanying certificate but thinly covers more than half the back, ample to clear margins, thin spot at bottom right, Very Fine appearance and scarce in original-gum condition, with 1989 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as no gum

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2010, Sale 999, Lot 528

New York N.Y., 5c Black, “ACM” Initials (Scott 9X1). Unused (no gum), full margins and detailed impression, accompanying certificate notes “slight soiling in red”, which we detect only in the upper left corner and does not appear to be a cancel, small owner backstamp, Very Fine and choice, with 1978 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2010, Sale 999, Lot 529

New York N.Y., 5c Black, Without Signature (Scott 9X1e). Position 16, full to large margins, nicely balanced, tied by blue cross-hatching pen strokes, red “New-York 5 cts. 27 Aug.” (1845) integral-rate circular datestamp and matching “Paid” arc handstamp on folded cover with original contents to New Haven Conn., letter datelined the same day, file folds do not affect the stamp, fresh and Very Fine cover, signed Ashbrook

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2010, Sale 999, Lot 593

New York N.Y., 5c Black, Without Signature (Scott 9X1e). Position 1, torn from the sheet but with full margins all around, cancelled by two magenta pen strokes, red “New-York Aug. 18” circular datestamp, matching “Paid” arc handstamp on folded cover to Boston, central file fold does not affect stamp, Very Fine example of the unsigned New York Provisional, ex Moody, the New York integral-rate datestamp is more often seen than this circular datestamp, with 1984 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2010, Sale 999, Lot 594

New York N.Y., 5c Black, Without Signature (Scott 9X1e). Margins clear all around and large at top and left, cancelled by blue pen “X” (not tied), red “New-York 5 cts. 22 Sep.” (1845) integral-rate circular datestamp and matching “Paid” arc handstamp on small folded cover to Philadelphia, docketed 1845 and endorsed at lower left “Mail”, light file fold thru top of stamp, still Very Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2010, Sale 999, Lot 595

New York N.Y., 5c Black, Without Signature (Scott 9X1e). Position 14, mostly clear margins, tied by red “Paid” arc handstamp, second strike to right and matching “New-York 5 cts. 15 Apr.” (1846) integral-rate circular datestamp on folded letter to Clearfield Pa., manuscript “Due 5” at top apparently for the over-300 miles 10c rate, stamp with few pre-use tears, Very Fine appearance, interesting use, by today’s roads Clearfield is only 265 miles from New York City

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2010, Sale 999, Lot 596

New York N.Y., 5c Black, Without Signature (Scott 9X1e). Position 32, large margins to clear at top right, tied by blue cross-hatch manuscript pen strokes, red “New-York 5 cts. 27 Aug.” (1845) integral-rate circular datestamp and matching “Paid” arc handstamp on folded New York Supreme Court notice to Norwich Conn., notice is for a judgement in the amount of $318.82, stamp slightly toned, still Very Fine, with 1992 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2010, Sale 999, Lot 591

New York N.Y., 5c Black, Without Signature (Scott 9X1e). Large top margin, ample to clear other sides, tied by splotchy blue manuscript strokes, red “New-York 5 cts. 1 Aug.” integral-rate circular datestamp, matching overlapping strike of “Paid” arc handstamp on 1845 folded letter to New Haven Conn., file fold well away from stamp, Very Fine example of the unsigned New York provisional, Toaspern backstamp, with 1986 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2010, Sale 999, Lot 592

New York N.Y., 5c Black, “RHM” Initials (Scott 9X1d). Position 39, large margins to just clear at upper left, tied by unusually thick pen strokes, red “New-York 5 cts. 18 Jul.” (1845) integral-rate circular datestamp with matching “Paid” arc handstamp on folded letter to Providence R.I. VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE COVER AND VERY EARLY USE OF THE 5-CENT NEW YORK POSTMASTER’S PROVISIONAL WITH “RHM” SIGNATURE. Shortly after the first day of issue, Postmaster Robert H. Morris decided to begin initialing the provisional stamps. July 17, 1845, is the earliest recorded date of use for a New York Postmaster Provisional with validating initials (see Piller book, p. 61, and lot 602). This cover is dated one day later. The “RHM” initialed stamp is extremely rare on cover. Because of the New Hamburgh find, it is as rare or even rarer used from New York City than used to New York City. Wall recorded only six “RHM” covers used from New York in his Chronicle series. Illustrated in Chronicle No. 97 (p. 11). With 1977 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2010, Sale 999, Lot 597

New York N.Y., 5c Black, “RHM” Initials (Scott 9X1d). Position 39, huge margins to just in at bottom, tied by blue pen strokes, red “New-York 5 cts. 26 Jul.” integral-rate circular datestamp with matching “Paid” arc handstamp on folded letter datelined “New Hamburgh, Dutchess County, 24. July 1845” in the hand of James Lenox, carried to New York and mailed from there to Boston, signed “James Lenox” on backflap VERY FINE. A RARE 5-CENT NEW YORK POSTMASTER’S PROVISIONAL WITH “RHM” SIGNATURE ON A LETTER FROM JAMES LENOX IN NEW HAMBURGH AND MAILED FROM NEW YORK CITY. In his article in Chronicle 99, Phillip Wall traced the history of the James Lenox “RHM” covers. Lenox was a prominent New York philanthropist and book collector in the mid-1800’s. His collection of books and paintings formed the core of the Lenox Library on 5th Avenue, which became part of the New York Public Library in the late 1800’s. He was also a founder of Presbyterian Hospital. Lenox spent the summer of 1845 in a manor house in New Hamburgh while his Fifth Avenue townhouse was being built. From there he corresponded with associates in New York and Boston. Wall records seven covers sent by Lenox from New Hamburgh with “RMH” initialed stamps. This cover is the earliest of the seven and the only one that was mailed from New York. Illustrated in Chronicle 99 (p. 166) and Piller (p. 66). From our 1966 Rarities of the World sale. With 1974 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2010, Sale 999, Lot 598

New York N.Y., 5c Black, “RHM” Initials (Scott 9X1d). Position 39, full beautifully balanced margins, just tied by light strike of red “Paid” arc handstamp, second strike to right with matching “New-York 5 cts. 19 Mar.” integral-rate circular datestamp on folded cover to New Bedford Mass., stamp lifted and replaced with tiny margin nick at right and light scoring line, addressee’s name cut out and replaced VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN ATTRACTIVE ON-COVER EXAMPLE OF THE RARE 5-CENT NEW YORK POSTMASTER’S PROVISIONAL WITH “RHM” SIGNATURE. In his Chronicle No. 97 article, Phil Wall records only six covers with “RHM” signature used from New York. Ex Col. Green and Weill

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2010, Sale 999, Lot 599

New York N.Y., 5c Black, Without Signature (9X1e). Large margins, tied by file fold and cancelled by red “Paid” arc handstamp, second strike to left and matching “New-York 5 cts. 15 Jul.” (1845) integral-rate circular datestamp on folded letter from Havana, Cuba, to London, England, via New York, Collomb & Iselin forwarder handstamp on back, manuscript “St. Hibernia”, left Boston on July 16 and arrived at Liverpool on July 29, London July 30 receiving backstamp, lower left corner of stamp replaced VERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST DOCUMENTED USE OF THE NEW YORK POSTMASTER’S PROVISIONAL ISSUE. ONLY FOUR JULY 15, 1845 USES ARE KNOWN TO ENGLAND AND TWO ARE COVER FRONTS ONLY. According to the Piller book, it is believed that the first delivery of the New York Provisionals was on Saturday, July 12, 1845. The post office was open for only a short time on Sunday, and so it is believed that the stamps were not placed on sale until Monday, July 14. The Piller book records ten covers used on Tuesday, July 15, including three to France, two to Germany, three to England and two addressed to other U.S. post offices. This cover is not among those in the Piller book and makes a fourth example to England. All of the July 15 covers have stamps without the control initials. The earliest recorded cover with the control initials is postmarked on July 17. Scott Retail $30,000.00

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2010, Sale 999, Lot 584

New York N.Y., 5c Black, Without Signature (Scott 9X1e). Position 34, large margins, cancelled by red “Paid” arc handstamp (not tied), second strike overlapping with matching “New-York 5 cts. 16 Jul.” (1845) integral-rate circular datestamp on cover to Hartford Conn., lengthy original contents datelined “New York July 15, 1845”, small cover repairs at right, Extremely Fine appearance, a scarce July 16, 1845 use which is the second earliest known, fewer than five are recorded from this date, with 1989 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2010, Sale 999, Lot 585

New York N.Y., 5c Black, Without Signature (Scott 9X1e). Position 24, margins ample to slightly in at top right, tied by file fold and two strokes of black pen, “New-York 5 cts. 16 Jul.” (1845) integral-rate circular datestamp and matching “Paid” arc handstamp on folded letter to Hartford Conn., datelined “New York July 16, 1845”, manuscript “Paid”, stamp creased from file fold, a Fine appearing and scarce July 16, 1845 use which is the second earliest known, fewer than five are recorded from this date

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Dec 2010, Sale 999, Lot 586