Prices of US Stamps Scott Catalogue #2: 1847 10c George Washington. Page 50

10c Black (Scott 2). Horizontal strip of three, large margins to just in at bottom of right two stamps, tied by red grid cancels, matching “U.S. Express Mail, Boston Mass., Jun. 20” (1848) route agent’s circular datestamp on blue folded cover to Ludlow Beebee & Co. in Philadelphia FINE. A RARE COVER FRANKED TO PAY THE TRIPLE 10-CENT OVER-300 MILES RATE FOR A LETTER WEIGHING BETWEEN ONE AND ONE-AND-A-HALF OUNCES. The Post Office Reform Act of 1845 greatly simplified the rate structure for sending mail. It provided for a 5c rate per half ounce for distances under 300 miles, with an increase of 5c for each additional half ounce or portion thereof. A clause included in the Act of March 3, 1849 (30th Congress, Session II, Ch. 104) modified the postage on a letter weighing more than one ounce to bring U.S. domestic rate progression in line with the 1848 U.S.-Great Britain postal treaty, which had gone into effect on February 15, 1849. The relevant clause reads: “That the better to enable the postal treaty with Great Britain to go Into full effect with equal advantage to both countries, letters shall be mailed as composing one rate only where the letter does not exceed the weight of a half ounce avoirdupois, where it exceeds a half ounce, but does not exceed an ounce, as composing two rates, where it exceeds an ounce, but does not exceed two ounces, as composing four rates…” This change eliminated the the triple 10c rate for a letter weighing between one and one-and-a-half ounces. Letters weighing between one and two ounces would be charged four-times the single rate (40c for distances over 300 miles). The elimination of the triple rate went into effect with the Postmaster General’s notice on March 15, 1849. Therefore, the use of 1847 Issue stamps to prepay the 30c triple rate for a letter sent over 300 miles was allowed for approximately 20 months. Very few covers are known with a strip of three or larger multiple of the 10c 1847. Much of the Ludlow Beebee correspondence was sold to Benjamin K. Miller for his complete plate reconstruction from stamps on covers. Illustrated and described in Chronicle 108. Ex Garrett.

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2012, Sale 1023, Lot 2251

10c Black (Scott 2). Horizontal strip of three, large margins to slightly cut in, tied by red grid cancels, matching “U.S. Express Mail Boston Mass. Aug. 15” route agent’s circular datestamp on blue 1848 folded letter to Pictou, Nova Scotia, sender’s ship-name directive “pr America via New York” and carried aboard that Cunarder, which departed New York Aug. 16, manuscript “1/8” due marking, neat strikes of Halifax (Aug. 18) and Pictou (Aug. 20) backstamp, vertical file fold does not affect stamps, some slight edgewear, small ink erosion spot in address FINE. A REMARKABLE AND RARE RETALIATORY RATE COVER FROM BOSTON TO NOVA SCOTIA VIA NEW YORK. ONLY TEN RETALIATORY RATE COVERS BEARING U.S. STAMPS ARE RECORDED, AND THIS IS ONE OF ONLY TWO TO BRITISH NORTH AMERICA. ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MIRSKY COLLECTION. The full history of the Retaliatory Rate period is told in our catalogue for the famous Rush cover, available at http://www.siegelauctions.com/2006/912/912.pdf . The so-called Retaliatory Period resulted from Great Britain’s effort to maintain its monopoly on transatlantic mail carriage through the subsidized Cunard steamship line, which operated without competition from 1840 through 1846. In response to the emergence of subsidized American packets in 1847 (the Ocean Line), the British issued an order (effective June 9, 1847) authorizing its receiving offices to collect the usual British packet postage on letters carried to England by American subsidized steamers. This effectively allowed England to collect 24c packet charges for every inbound letter, whether or not any service had been performed. The United States vehemently protested the British order through diplomatic channels, but efforts to persuade the government to rescind the anti-American postal tariff were unsuccessful. In December 1847, U.S. Postmaster General Cave Johnson petitioned Congress for power to levy like charges on mail carried by British steamers to or from the United States, but he was not authorized to do so until June 1848. On all Cunard sailings from June 24, 1848 (the Caledonia from Liverpool) through December 31, 1848 (the Europa arriving at New York), American packet postage was required on all inbound and outbound mail to England whether or not one of the American vessels was used, creating the so-called Retaliatory Rate. Beginning with the departure of the Europa from New York on January 10, 1849, earlier rates were restored, and soon after the new U.S.-British treaty rate was effected. This cover to Nova Scotia reflects the dispute between Great Britain and the United States. The 10c strip of three pays the 5c rate for internal U.S. postage from Boston to New York, plus a 1c overpayment of the 24c Retaliatory Rate. The letter was carried aboard the Cunarder America, which departed New York on August 16 and stopped at Halifax on its way to Liverpool. The 1sh 8p due from recipient represents the one-shilling charge for British packet postage, plus 8 pence for internal postage for distance of 101 to 200 miles for delivery to Pictou (9 pence in local currency). Ex Pope and Dr. Robertson. With 1985 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2012, Sale 1023, Lot 2492

10c Black (Scott 2). Position 9R1, ample to large margins including part of top sheet margin, tied by orange-red grid, matching “Norfolk Va. Aug. 12” circular datestamp on 1847 folded letter to Dundee, Scotland, clear “1/-” one-shilling due handstamp, carried on the Cunarder Hibernia, which departed Boston August 16 and arrived in Liverpool August 27, light strike of “TOO LATE” backstamp, Liverpool (Aug. 28) and receiving backstamp (Aug. 30), file fold barely affects stamp, some overall wear, otherwise Very Fine, attractive transatlantic use of 10c 1847 with an orange-red cancellation and “Too Late” handstamp, also the earliest recorded use of the 1847 Issue from Norfolk, ex Rust and Rose, signed Ashbrook, with 1999 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2012, Sale 1023, Lot 2490

10c Black (Scott 2). Large margins to clear, detailed impression, tied by multiple strikes of red grid cancel, matching “Saint Louis Mo. 10 Feb. 3” integral-rate circular datestamp on cover to South Boston Mass., trivial edgewear, Very Fine, a pretty cover from the Turner correspondence, with 1998 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2012, Sale 1023, Lot 2239

10c Black (Scott 2). Huge margins to full including entire frameline of adjoining stamp at bottom, tied by red square grid cancel, matching “New-York May 27” circular datestamp on blue 1850 folded letter to Pontiac Mich., faint vertical file fold well away from stamp, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp and cover

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2012, Sale 1023, Lot 2237

10c Black (Scott 2). Three large to huge margins, clear at bottom, tiny sealed tear in wide margin at right, tied by red cancel (multiple strikes of an indistinct marking), matching “Eastport Me. Sep. 10” circular datestamp with well-struck “SHIP” and “2” handstamps also applied at Eastport on small white envelope mailed outside the United States borders, almost certainly at New Brunswick B.N.A., and addressed to Hamilton, Canada West, clear strike of “Queenston U.C Sep. 15, 1850” transit datestamp, red Hamilton receiving backstamp (Sep. 15), manuscript “Due” and “4-1/2” Canadian pence due — the large loop of the “4” also tying stamp VERY FINE. THE ONLY RECORDED USE OF THE 1847 ISSUE ON A SHIP LETTER RECEIVED AT A UNITED STATES PORT AND SENT TO BRITISH NORTH AMERICA. ONE OF THE MOST REMARKABLE 1847 COVERS IN EXISTENCE. This extraordinary cover was discussed in detail by the late Creighton C. Hart in his article “1847 Covers to Canada: Part II” (Chronicle, Nov. 1973). Hart described this as “One of the most unusual covers to Canada” and explained the use: “This letter came into Eastport on a coastal ship and the captain received 2c from the Eastport post office for his service. Unfortunately the original letter is missing, but Eastport is just a port stop away from St. John, New Brunswick. Carriage of mail by coastal vessels from ports in Maritimes was a common practice. The stamp was on the envelope before it reached the States and may represent a use of the ’47 stamps from New Brunswick. If the letter had originated at Eastport there would not be the ‘due and ‘SHIP 2’ markings.” Adding a final comment, Hart wrote “It’s treasures such as this that make philatelic hunting sometimes very rewarding.” The Alexander census records 5c and 10c 1847 stamps on two other separate covers originating in St. John, New Brunswick. Both are addressed within the United States and were not treated as ship letters. The cover offered here is remarkable not only as a use of the 1847 Issue from outside United States borders — almost certainly St. John — but also as an inbound ship letter received in transit to Canada. We know of no other comparable 1847 Issue cover. Ex Sevenoaks. With 1998 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2012, Sale 1023, Lot 2478

10c Black (Scott 2). Large margins to clear, cancelled by black grid, red “Boston 10cts. 20 Dec.” integral-rate circular datestamp on blue 1851 folded letter to Hamilton, Canada West, clear strike of blue “Ud. States” in arc handstamp, receiving backstamp, stamp “tied” by vertical file fold, small tear at right VERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED DEMONETIZED USE OF THE 1847 ISSUE TO CANADA, AND ONE OF VERY FEW SENT TO A FOREIGN DESTINATION AFTER JULY 1, 1851. A WONDERFUL POSTAL HISTORY RARITY. Effective July 1, 1851, the basic letter rate was changed to 3c for domestic letters sent up to 3,000 miles, and 6c for letters sent over 3,000 miles. New stamps were issued to accommodate the new rates, and the old stamps were demonetized and considered invalid for postage after June 30, 1851. Approximately seven are known used from Canada after demonetization. Three others are known to France, each with a single 5c stamp, and two are known to Mexico, each with a strip of three of the 10c. This cover was the subject of Chronicle articles in Aug. 1999 and May 2007 (copies accompany). Illustrated in Alexander book (page 864). With 1997 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2012, Sale 1023, Lot 2477

10c Black (Scott 2). Large margins to full, cancelled by red grid, matching “Chicago Ill. Dec. 28” circular datestamp on blue 1849 folded letter to Philadelphia, vertical file fold barely affects right edge of stamp but “ties” it to the cover, Very Fine appearance, scarce 10c 1847 use from Chicago

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2012, Sale 1023, Lot 2235

10c Black (Scott 2). Large margins, intense shade, tied by two strikes of blue “Philada. Pa. 10cts. Mar. 8” integral-rate circular datestamp on 1848 folded letter to London, England, sender’s ship-name directive “Britannia” and carried on that Cunarder, which departed Boston March 11 and arrived in Liverpool March 25, receiving backstamp of March 26, manuscript “1/-” one-shilling due marking, vertical file folds with some splitting along one, stamp with some overall toning and small corner crease at bottom right, otherwise Fine and attractive use of the 10c 1847 Issue paying the rate for distance over 300 miles from Philadelphia to Boston, with 1991 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2012, Sale 1023, Lot 2487

10c Black (Scott 2). Large to full margins, bright shade and crisp impression, tied by blue “Paid” in oval cancel, matching “Philadelphia Pa. Aug. 26” circular datestamp on buff 1847 cover to Hopkinsville Ky., slightly reduced at left, Very Fine use for distance over 300 miles, the latest known use of this style of Philadelphia circular datestamp is July 1848, confirming this as an 1847 use, this and the 5c cover in lot 2211 were the subjects of an article in the Aug. 2004 Chronicle noting how two different markings were used on the same day (copy accompanies)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2012, Sale 1023, Lot 2245

10c Black (Scott 2). Ample to large margins, sharp impression, tied by two strikes of blue grid cancel, matching “Milwaukee Wis. Nov. 27” circular datestamp on mostly complete folded cover to New York City, Ludlow Beebee correspondence, fresh and Very Fine, ex Rose

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2012, Sale 1023, Lot 2243

10c Black (Scott 2). Large to clear margins including small portion of adjoining stamp at top, Position 33L1 plating notation on back, just tied by red grid cancel with matching “New Haven Ct. 23 Aug.” (likely 1848) circular datestamp on brown cover to Milwaukee Wis., Very Fine cover to a scarcer destination, Wisconsin became a state on May 29, 1848, with 1998 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2012, Sale 1023, Lot 2242

10c Black (Scott 2). Full to large margins including part of adjoining stamp at left, tied by blue grid cancel, matching “Baltimore Md. Oct. 13” circular datestamp on blue 1847 folded cover to Halifax, Nova Scotia, sender’s routing “pr steamer Hibernia via Boston”, manuscript “1/” one-shilling British packet charge, receiving backstamp, vertical file fold well away from stamp VERY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING 1847 ISSUE COVER CARRIED BY CUNARD PACKET TO NOVA SCOTIA. The 10c 1847 stamp paid the U.S. over-300 miles rate from Baltimore to Boston, and the letter was then carried by the Cunarder Hibernia. The British packet rate of one shilling was collected from the addressee (no inland postage was assessed). The one-shilling charge was levied until September 20, 1849, at which point it was reduced to 4 pence (4-1/2 pence in local currency).

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2012, Sale 1023, Lot 2482

10c Black (Scott 2). Large margins to just touched, intense shade, tied by red “St. Louis Mo. 10 Apr. 22” integral-rate circular datestamp on cover to South Boston Mass., cover with some slight age spotting, Very Fine, an attractive cover from the Turner correspondence

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2012, Sale 1023, Lot 2240

10c Black (Scott 2). Position 86R1, full to huge margins showing part of adjacent stamps at top and bottom, tied by partly struck blue datestamp, second strike of same “Philada. Pa. 10 Jun. 20” integral-rate circular datestamp at right on 1850 folded cover to Wallace, Nova Scotia, sender’s directives “paid to Lines” and “Mail via Robbinstown Maine”, backstamps including St. Andrews (Jun. 24), St. John (Jun. 25) and Amherst (Jun. 27), manuscript “11-1/2” Canadian pence due, some slight overall soiling EXTREMELY FINE. A MAGNIFICENT 1847 ISSUE COVER TO NOVA SCOTIA. Ex Rose and illustrated in his Classic United States Imperforate Stamps

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Apr 2012, Sale 1023, Lot 2481