Developed & Supported by Mark Scheuer. Based on the work of Thomas J. Alexander. Dedicated to the memory of Creighton Hart and Susan McDonald. Feedback, additions, and corrections most welcome. Please send to: mscheue1@rochester.rr.com
√ Click here for the census user’s guide as a PDF
Skip to main content
| Scott Number | 2 |
|---|---|
| Date | October 27, 1848 |
| From City | Marysville |
| From State | CA |
| To City | Annapolis |
| To State | OH |
| Addressee | Miss Jane Browning |
| Cert Author | |
| Cert # | |
| Fake | Destroyed |
| Quantity 1 | 0 |
| Quantity 2 | 1 |
| Bisect | |
| Others |
Notes
Chronicle 46 & 47
Stanley Ashbrook photographed and studied this cover, prepared enlarged photographs of the stamp and its markings and compared the inks used for the markings under a black light. Because the inks did not match, he concluded that the stamps were added to the letter at some later date.
It was not necessary to use Stanley Ashbrook's excellent talent for photography and analysis to prove this to be a fake cover. Prior to July 1, 1851, the California postal rate was 121J2¢ per half ounce, while the rate between the East and California was 40¢ per half ounce. True, after July 1, 1851, the single unpaid rate between the East and California was 10¢, but no stamp would be used on an unpaid letter. The 10¢ stamp could have been intended to pay the single 6¢ prepaid rate, but why the "10" marks?
Mr. C. C. Hart suggests that this might appear to be a 10¢ 1847 stamp used after demonetization during the 10¢ rate period after April 1, 1855. Fortunately, the faker disclosed his fraud by using a cover from Marysville, California. Shortly after the 10¢ rate became effective, Marysville used a handstamp on covers prepaid by stamps, which read: "Marysville Cal. April 30 Paid by stamps." This cover is actually an unpaid letter of the period, July 1, 1851-March 31, 1855.
The cover no longer exists in this form. The 10¢ stamp was removed and sold at auction and the cover was, thus, restored as an unpaid stampless item.
Alexander listed as 10/27/48
Stanley Ashbrook photographed and studied this cover, prepared enlarged photographs of the stamp and its markings and compared the inks used for the markings under a black light. Because the inks did not match, he concluded that the stamps were added to the letter at some later date.
It was not necessary to use Stanley Ashbrook's excellent talent for photography and analysis to prove this to be a fake cover. Prior to July 1, 1851, the California postal rate was 121J2¢ per half ounce, while the rate between the East and California was 40¢ per half ounce. True, after July 1, 1851, the single unpaid rate between the East and California was 10¢, but no stamp would be used on an unpaid letter. The 10¢ stamp could have been intended to pay the single 6¢ prepaid rate, but why the "10" marks?
Mr. C. C. Hart suggests that this might appear to be a 10¢ 1847 stamp used after demonetization during the 10¢ rate period after April 1, 1855. Fortunately, the faker disclosed his fraud by using a cover from Marysville, California. Shortly after the 10¢ rate became effective, Marysville used a handstamp on covers prepaid by stamps, which read: "Marysville Cal. April 30 Paid by stamps." This cover is actually an unpaid letter of the period, July 1, 1851-March 31, 1855.
The cover no longer exists in this form. The 10¢ stamp was removed and sold at auction and the cover was, thus, restored as an unpaid stampless item.
Alexander listed as 10/27/48
