Auction # 58 - Winter 2014 Auction

Telegraph Despatch P.O., 1848, 1¢ black on yellowish. Ample to mostly large margins, manuscript canceled on folded letter to Nathan Trotter & Co. "Front Between Market & Arch Street" in Philadelphia, enclosure datelined "Wilmington, April 25, 1848" requesting goods to be sent by steamboat; cover with closed filing hole at center well away from adhesive, Extremely Fine, ex Worthington, Gibson and Golden, with 1999 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 138L1; Estimate $7,500 - 10,000.

A MARVELOUS USAGE AND THE EARLIEST KNOWN EXAMPLE OF THE 1¢ TELEGRAPH DESPATCH STAMP ON COVER. THIS IS ONE OF ONLY FIVE ON COVER USAGES KNOWN.

This cover was carried privately from Wilmington to Philadelphia where it was turned over to the Telegraph Despatch for local delivery. Four solo on cover usages are known with an additional on cover usage (file fold crease) in combination with a 1847, 5¢ red brown which sold in our November 2009 sale for $10,500 hammer. This exceptional on cover example last sold in 2006 for $7,500.