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 | 1 |
|---|---|
| Date | February 28, 18xx |
| From City | Norwich |
| From State | CT |
| To City | Boston |
| To State | MA |
| Addressee | B. F. Brown |
| Cert Author | PF |
| Cert # | 458387 |
| Fake | |
| Quantity 1 | 1 |
| Quantity 2 | 0 |
| Bisect | |
| Others |
Notes
Lot 92 5c Red Brown (1). Full even margins, tied by blue grid, matching "Norwich Ct. Feb. 28" circular datestamp and "Steamboat 5 in circle" handstamp on cover to Boston Mass., back of cover with suspender manufacturer's oval return card and Alberton imprint
EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE USE OF THE NORWICH, CONNECTICUT, "STEAMBOAT 5" HANDSTAMP ON AN 1847 ISSUE COVER.
Ex Gibson and Brigham
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. Sale 939 realized 4500 (image w/o back flap)
PhilaMercury Cover #2405
Alexander listed as 2/28/xx
Philip Ward Jr sale 12 June 14, 1944 (Henry C. Gibson) lot 11 realized 155
PF 458387
1 1847 5¢ brown
SINGLE, BLUE GRID CANCEL, ON COVER WITH BLUE CAMEO BUCKLE/SUSPENDER MFGR AD ON BACKFLAP, ADDRESSED TO BOSTON, BLUE NORWICH CT PMK AT BOTTOM LEFT, WITH BLUE "STEAMBOAT/5" IN CIRCLE HANDSTAMP AT TOP RIGHT.
AND WE ARE OF THE OPINION THAT
IT IS A GENUINE USAGE
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. sale 204 lot 238 realized 800
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries sale 1167 lot 2192 realized 8500
Robert G. Kaufmann sale 61 (Elite) lot 334
Reverse of letter advertises David C. Dodd Jr. & James P. Wakeman, manufacturers of suspenders in New York City. They moved from 53 Courtland Street to 4 Dey Street in May 1850, ruling out an 1851 mailing of this letter. Mr. Dodd lived in Jersey City and Mr. Wakeman lived in Newark NJ. They had no business operation in Norwich, Ct so the letter's origin from Norwich is confusing.
One possibility is that, since Cortland Street in NY was just a few blocks from the Hudson and East River piers, the letter may have been posted after the post office was closed on Feb 27th and was simply brought to the piers in New York, placed on a steamer that traveled Long Island Sound and then the Thames River to Norwich, where it was cancelled on the morning of Feb 28th. After this, it was placed on the Norwich & Worcester RR and delivered to Boston.
Benjamin Franklin Brown (1814-1879) was a partner in the firm of John Baker & Son of Boston. Located at 8 Water Street in Boston, this company was a prominent manufacturer of fringes, tassels, and textile trimmings. The operators were John Baker (1780-1867) and his son, John Osborne Baker (1806-1872).
In 1858, Benjamin went on to establish B. F. Brown & Co., which became one of Boston's most globally recognized 19th-century manufacturing brands. The company manufactured leather blackings, "Army and Navy Blacking," and "Brown’s French Dressing"—a highly popular Victorian-era liquid polish used to restore ladies' and children's boots.
EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE USE OF THE NORWICH, CONNECTICUT, "STEAMBOAT 5" HANDSTAMP ON AN 1847 ISSUE COVER.
Ex Gibson and Brigham
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. Sale 939 realized 4500 (image w/o back flap)
PhilaMercury Cover #2405
Alexander listed as 2/28/xx
Philip Ward Jr sale 12 June 14, 1944 (Henry C. Gibson) lot 11 realized 155
PF 458387
1 1847 5¢ brown
SINGLE, BLUE GRID CANCEL, ON COVER WITH BLUE CAMEO BUCKLE/SUSPENDER MFGR AD ON BACKFLAP, ADDRESSED TO BOSTON, BLUE NORWICH CT PMK AT BOTTOM LEFT, WITH BLUE "STEAMBOAT/5" IN CIRCLE HANDSTAMP AT TOP RIGHT.
AND WE ARE OF THE OPINION THAT
IT IS A GENUINE USAGE
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. sale 204 lot 238 realized 800
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries sale 1167 lot 2192 realized 8500
Robert G. Kaufmann sale 61 (Elite) lot 334
Reverse of letter advertises David C. Dodd Jr. & James P. Wakeman, manufacturers of suspenders in New York City. They moved from 53 Courtland Street to 4 Dey Street in May 1850, ruling out an 1851 mailing of this letter. Mr. Dodd lived in Jersey City and Mr. Wakeman lived in Newark NJ. They had no business operation in Norwich, Ct so the letter's origin from Norwich is confusing.
One possibility is that, since Cortland Street in NY was just a few blocks from the Hudson and East River piers, the letter may have been posted after the post office was closed on Feb 27th and was simply brought to the piers in New York, placed on a steamer that traveled Long Island Sound and then the Thames River to Norwich, where it was cancelled on the morning of Feb 28th. After this, it was placed on the Norwich & Worcester RR and delivered to Boston.
Benjamin Franklin Brown (1814-1879) was a partner in the firm of John Baker & Son of Boston. Located at 8 Water Street in Boston, this company was a prominent manufacturer of fringes, tassels, and textile trimmings. The operators were John Baker (1780-1867) and his son, John Osborne Baker (1806-1872).
In 1858, Benjamin went on to establish B. F. Brown & Co., which became one of Boston's most globally recognized 19th-century manufacturing brands. The company manufactured leather blackings, "Army and Navy Blacking," and "Brown’s French Dressing"—a highly popular Victorian-era liquid polish used to restore ladies' and children's boots.
