Values of US Stamp Scott # 7: 1c 1851 Benjamin Franklin. Page 31

1c Blue, Ty. II (Scott 7). Plate 2, three ample to large margins, in at top, tied by “Philadelphia Pa. Jan. 5” (circa 1856) circular datestamp on Dunlap’s Phoenix Coach Works illustrated cameo corner card cover to Sumter S.C., “2” in double-line circle handstamp, this apparently represents 2c short payment of basic 3c rate, whether the deficiency was paid in cash or ignored on the receiving end is not clear, slight wear, Very Fine, an unusual and striking cover, ex Neinken

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 994, Lot 966

1c Blue, Ty. II, Chicago Perf 12-1/2 (7 var). Plate 2, used with horizontal strip of three of 3c Dull Red, Ty. I (11) and tied by multiple strikes of “Cherry Valley Ill. Jul. 16” circular datestamp on buff cover to Leland P.O. Oregon Territory, perfs scissors-separated causing a few to be slightly short at lower right, some soiling at top, missing part of top flap VERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF FIVE RECORDED COVERS BEARING THE ONE-CENT 1851 WITH CHICAGO PERFORATIONS. THIS IS THE ONLY ONE-CENT CHICAGO PERF USED WITH ANOTHER STAMP. A GREAT RARITY USED FROM OUTSIDE OF CHICAGO TO OREGON TERRITORY. The origin of the Chicago perforation was revealed in an article published by Jerry Wagshal in the Chronicle 130 (May 1986). To briefly summarize his revelations, the inventor of the machine used to create the Chicago Perf stamps was Dr. Elijah W. Hadley, a Chicago dentist. He probably constructed the machine in 1854. Over a two-year period, beginning in November 1854, Dr. Hadley’s device was offered for sale to the Post Office Department thru R. K. Swift, a prominent Chicago banker and businessman. The distinctive 12-1/2 gauge Chicago Perf was applied to sheets of the 1c (Plates 1 Late and 2) and 3c 1851 Issue, the former being considerably rarer. According to the updated census of Chicago Perf items compiled by W. Wilson Hulme II (Chronicle 175, Aug. 1997), approximately 19 examples of the 1c Chicago Perf have been recorded, including five used on covers. These are: 1) Type II, Plate 2 (not plated), tied by Chicago May 29, 1856 datestamp on P. L. Wells May 28, 1856 circular to Armitage, Siegel Sale 869, lot 3023 (realized $26,000 hammer), 2) Type II, Position 71R2, “Paid” cancel (no dated postmark), on P. L. Wells May 28, 1856 circular to Edmonstone & Co., Montreal, Canada, PFC, ex Ishikawa and Dr. Martin, Siegel Sale 893, lot 38 (realized $65,000 hammer), 3) Type II, Position 95L2, tied by grid cancel on P. L. Wells circular to Sheppard & Morgan, NYC, ex Jefferys, currently in the Franklin Institute, 4) Type II, Position 48R2, “Paid” cancel on Lake View Water Cure circular (no date), Ashbrook Vol. II, p. 26, the current whereabouts or state of this cover are unknown, and 5) the cover offered here. Summarizing the census data, there are currently five 1c Chicago Perf covers accepted as genuine, all Type II from Plate 2, one of which is part of the Franklin Institute’s collection. Of the four in private hands, one has not been seen and is known only from Ashbrook’s description. Therefore, only three confirmed covers are in private hands, two of which are May 28, 1856 printed circulars. The cover offered here was mailed from Cherry Valley Ill., which is outside of Chicago and close to Rockford Ill. According to Oregon 1859: A Snapshot in Time, the recipient, James H. Twogood, laid out a land claim in the area in 1851 and named it Grave Creek Ranch. The town of Leland was formally established in March 1855 and became a gathering point for the army and volunteers fighting the Rogue River Indian War in the area. Twogood built a hotel on the ranch. By 1860 it became a stop for the California Oregon Stage Line. There were also several mines in the area, including one owned by Twogood. Scott Retail as single on cover $35,000.00

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 994, Lot 1140

1c Blue, Ty. II (7). Positions 5-6/15-16L2, block of four, ample margins to just touched, dark shade, cancelled by Philadelphia datestamp, slight creases and small internal tear, short scissors-cut at bottom, otherwise Fine-Very Fine, a scarce use block which seems to be undervalued in Scott, ex Neinken

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 994, Lot 960

1c Blue, Ty. II (Scott 7). Plate 2, ample to large margins showing traces of adjoining stamps and top and bottom, dark shade, tied by perfect bold strike of “Boston 22 Aug. Paid” circular datestamp on blue folded cover to Williams & Hall in Boston, sender’s notation “‘Staghound'” which refers to the Stag Hound, the first extreme clipper ship, built in 1850 by Donald McKay in East Boston, the addressee was an East India trading firm, Extremely Fine, this probably originated outside the U.S. and was bootlegged to Boston and posted there as a drop letter, ex Neinken (who assigned this stamp to Plate 1 Early)

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 994, Lot 962

1c Blue, Ty. II (Scott 7). Positions 85-87R1E, horizontal strip of three, large margin at top, others ample to slightly in, gorgeous early shade and impression, tied by vivid orange-red grids, matching “Paid” handstamp on buff cover to Cornwall Bridge Conn., oddly lacking a town datestamp, Fine, unusual

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 994, Lot 720

1c Blue, Ty. II (Scott 7). Positions 77/87/97L2, vertical strip of three, large to huge margins, rich color, cancelled by Philadelphia datestamp, Extremely Fine, ex Neinken

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 994, Lot 956

1c Blue, Ty. II (Scott 7). Plate 1E, large margins, tied by large “Paid” grid and red “Boston 26 Jan.” circular datestamp on small cover to local street address, stamp has slight creases and some gum staining, still Extremely Fine, unusual carrier use in Boston

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 994, Lot 714

1c Blue, Ty. II (Scott 7). Plate 2, horizontal strip of three, ample even margins just touching ornaments in places, blue grid cancel, deep shade, Very Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 994, Lot 957

1c Blue, Ty. II (Scott 7). Plate 1E (Position 83R1E, in our opinion), large margins all around, wonderful bright Robin’s Egg Blue shade, tied by “Johnstown N.Y. Nov. 17” (1852) circular datestamp on insurance company’s printed rate list to Rouse’s Point N.Y., Extremely Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 994, Lot 715

1c Blue, Ty. II (Scott 7). Plate 2, horizontal strip of three, huge side and bottom margins showing parts of adjoining stamps, top clear to large, centered strike of “Millersburg Pa. May 23” circular datestamp, center stamp has tiny tears at top and bottom, otherwise Very Fine

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 994, Lot 958

1c Dark Blue, Ty. II (Scott 7). Plate 1E, two different Dark Blue shades, ample margins to just touched, tied by blue “Troy N.Y. Oct. 21” (1851) and “New-York 1Ct. Feb. 28” (1852) circular datestamps on separate blue folded letters, Very Fine, scarce shades

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 994, Lot 716

1c Blue, Ty. II (Scott 7). Plate 2, horizontal strip of three, ample margins to slightly in, small faults, used with U.S.P.O., Philadelphia Pa., 1c Black (7LB18), clear strike of oval handstamp, carefully cut to oval shape with “(To)ppan, Carpenter, Casilea(r)” portion of imprint, carrier stamp and strip tied by “Philadelphia Pa. Nov. 7” (circa 1856) circular datestamp on piece A VERY FINE IMPRINT EXAMPLE OF THE RARE PHILADELPHIA U.S.P.O. CARRIER ADHESIVE HANDSTAMPED ON THE SHEET MARGIN OF THE ONE-CENT 1851 ISSUE, USED IN COMBINATION WITH THE REGULAR ONE-CENT 1851 STAMPS FROM PLATE 2. This piece, bearing the 7LB18 adhesive with a strip of the 1c 1851 from Plate 2, must be a November 1856 use, because Plate 2 was not available until the very end of 1855. Ex Neinken. See lot 858 for similar combination with 1c Type IV (Plate 1L).

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 994, Lot 959

1c Blue, Ty. II (Scott 7). Plate 1E, large to full margins including sheet margin at top and part of adjoining stamp at bottom, tied by light strike of “Washington D.C. Feb. 11” circular datestamp on folded printed Patent Office agent’s advertisement to New Hope Penn., inside with illustration of City of Washington with reference to monuments and points of interest, also with explanation of fees and what is necessary to file a patent as well as offer to examine rejected patents, light vertical file fold well away from stamp, Very Fine, a fantastic circular usage

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 994, Lot 717

1c Blue, Ty. II (Scott 7). Plate 2, full to large margins showing parts of adjoining stamps at sides, deep shade contrasted by vivid paint-red “Mobile Ala. Sep. 28” circular datestamp, beneath the red is a “U.S. Pkt.” straightline, Very Fine and choice, with 1984 P.F. certificate

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 994, Lot 952

1c Blue, Ty. II (Scott 7). Plate 1E, ample margins to slightly in, bright shade, used with 3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11), large margins to in at bottom, tied by two bold strikes of blue “Philadelphia Pa. May 5” (circa 1852) circular datestamp on blue cover to Charleston S.C., faint wax seal stain, tiny edge nick at right, Very Fine, the use of a 1c 1851 for the carrier fee in Philadelphia is extremely unusual prior to 1856, at this time (1852), the Eagle Carrier stamp was used almost exclusively

Robert Siegel Auction Galleries, Sep 2010, Sale 994, Lot 710