#20018

Lot 1 Post Office Annapolis Md (2XU1 footnote), a fantastic strike in blue of this fancy circular negative Post Office seal, showing nearly full detail on a tiny embossed ladies envelope, being a drop usage to a midshipman at the Naval School, with perfectly struck matching Blue 2 rate handstamp, wonderfully fresh and clean, n Extremely Fine gem. An incredibly choice usage of this rate marking with tremendous eye appeal. Although the Scott listed variety of the Annapolis Maryland Postmasters' Provisional is the rare 5c applied in the upper right corner of the envelope (of which only two examples are known), a small number of envelopes and lettersheets exit with the 2c local rate in blue or red, however these are not considered to be true Postmasters' Provisionals since they were not prepared prior to sale, though they are among the rarest and most sought after of the fancy stampless markings and are also described and priced in the Scott footnote beneath the listing for #2XU1. the example offered here is arguably the finest strike of the most beautiful of all Maryland postmarks, of which fewer than twenty examples exist. 1950 PF certificate. Ex. Isleham Collection. Est. $5000-7000.

Matthew Bennett International sale 208 (John R. Hill Jr.)

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Inc., sale 662 (Isleham) lot 1013 realized 6500

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