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
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| Scott Number | 2 |
|---|---|
| Date | March 13, 1851 |
| From City | Montreal |
| From State | Canada |
| To City | New York |
| To State | NY |
| Addressee | E. D. Morgan & Co. |
| Cert Author | PF |
| Cert # | 512210 |
| Fake | |
| Quantity 1 | 0 |
| Quantity 2 | 1 |
| Bisect | |
| Others |
Notes
Another example of the US stamp being applied in Montreal. The Canadian postage of 4 ½ pence to the border was prepaid in cash; the 10 stamp paid the US postage from the border to New York City. This cover entered the mails less than a month before the US “ Canadian convention establishing through rates between the two countries.
Alexander, The United States 1847 Issue: A Cover Census, p 30
Alexander listed as 3/13/51
H R Harmer sale 978 (Caspary Sale 2, Jan 16, 1956) lot 172 realized 2500
Lot 291 10c Black (2). Large even margins, deep shade and proof-like impression on fresh bluish paper, used on 1851 folded cover from Montreal, Canada, to E. D. Morgan & Co. in New York City, sender's charge notation "Paid Box 186", red "Montreal/Paid/MR 13/1851/Canada" tombstone style datestamp, red manuscript "4-1/2" Canadian pence rate, 10c stamp tied by two strikes of red "Paid" arc on arrival at New York City post office (one strike faint), receipt docketing on flap "1851, Gillespie Moffatt & Co. March 13th", horizontal file fold far from stamp
EXTREMELY FINE GEM 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE USED FROM CANADA. ONE OF THE FEW EXAMPLES OF THIS RARE USE WITH THE STAMP TIED BY A UNITED STATES POST OFFICE MARKING. THIS REMARKABLE COVER COMES FROM THE FAMOUS MORGAN CORRESPONDENCE. IT WAS ONE OF THE GEMS OF THE CASPARY AND RUST COLLECTIONS, AND TODAY RANKS AMONG THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WILLIAM H. GROSS COLLECTION.
The addressee firm's principal, Edwin D. Morgan (1811-1883), began his business career as a grocer in Hartford, Connecticut, and later moved to New York City, where he became a successful wholesaler, broker and banker. He was active in politics, serving as an alderman and member of the New York State Senate from 1850 to 1853. Morgan became influential in the Republican Party and was elected governor of New York from 1859 through 1862. He served simultaneously as governor and head of the military department during the Civil War. In February 1863, Morgan was elected to the U.S. Senate and served one term until 1869.
The receipt docketing indicates this was sent from Gillespie, Moffatt and Company, one of the largest import-export houses in Canada. By the mid-1840's, the firm handled more ocean trade than any other firm in Montreal.
This letter was marked by Gillespie, Moffatt and Company with the Montreal post office box number 186. The post office charged the account and affixed the 10c stamp to show that United States postage had been prepaid. In this case the stamp was left uncancelled, and upon arrival at New York City's post office, it was cancelled with the standard "Paid" arc handstamp.
Ex Caspary, Rust and Boker. With 1988 P.F. certificate
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. sale 1041 realized 32,500
PF 197544
2 1847 10¢ black
ON FOLDED LETTER SHEET FROM CANADA TO N.Y. 1851 MONTREAL PMK. S/L CANCELLATION.
AND WE ARE OF THE OPINION THAT
It Is Genuinely Used On Cover
PF 512210 genuine use
Alexander, The United States 1847 Issue: A Cover Census, p 30
Alexander listed as 3/13/51
H R Harmer sale 978 (Caspary Sale 2, Jan 16, 1956) lot 172 realized 2500
Lot 291 10c Black (2). Large even margins, deep shade and proof-like impression on fresh bluish paper, used on 1851 folded cover from Montreal, Canada, to E. D. Morgan & Co. in New York City, sender's charge notation "Paid Box 186", red "Montreal/Paid/MR 13/1851/Canada" tombstone style datestamp, red manuscript "4-1/2" Canadian pence rate, 10c stamp tied by two strikes of red "Paid" arc on arrival at New York City post office (one strike faint), receipt docketing on flap "1851, Gillespie Moffatt & Co. March 13th", horizontal file fold far from stamp
EXTREMELY FINE GEM 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE USED FROM CANADA. ONE OF THE FEW EXAMPLES OF THIS RARE USE WITH THE STAMP TIED BY A UNITED STATES POST OFFICE MARKING. THIS REMARKABLE COVER COMES FROM THE FAMOUS MORGAN CORRESPONDENCE. IT WAS ONE OF THE GEMS OF THE CASPARY AND RUST COLLECTIONS, AND TODAY RANKS AMONG THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WILLIAM H. GROSS COLLECTION.
The addressee firm's principal, Edwin D. Morgan (1811-1883), began his business career as a grocer in Hartford, Connecticut, and later moved to New York City, where he became a successful wholesaler, broker and banker. He was active in politics, serving as an alderman and member of the New York State Senate from 1850 to 1853. Morgan became influential in the Republican Party and was elected governor of New York from 1859 through 1862. He served simultaneously as governor and head of the military department during the Civil War. In February 1863, Morgan was elected to the U.S. Senate and served one term until 1869.
The receipt docketing indicates this was sent from Gillespie, Moffatt and Company, one of the largest import-export houses in Canada. By the mid-1840's, the firm handled more ocean trade than any other firm in Montreal.
This letter was marked by Gillespie, Moffatt and Company with the Montreal post office box number 186. The post office charged the account and affixed the 10c stamp to show that United States postage had been prepaid. In this case the stamp was left uncancelled, and upon arrival at New York City's post office, it was cancelled with the standard "Paid" arc handstamp.
Ex Caspary, Rust and Boker. With 1988 P.F. certificate
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. sale 1041 realized 32,500
PF 197544
2 1847 10¢ black
ON FOLDED LETTER SHEET FROM CANADA TO N.Y. 1851 MONTREAL PMK. S/L CANCELLATION.
AND WE ARE OF THE OPINION THAT
It Is Genuinely Used On Cover
PF 512210 genuine use

