Developed & Supported by Mark Scheuer. Following in the footsteps of Scott Trepel & Robert A. Siegel Auctions, Muriel Bemis Hayes, Philip T. Wall, Carroll Alton Means, Alpheus B. Slater Margie Faiman, and others who published their work. We are grateful to all those who authorized the information and images used in this census. Feedback, additions, and corrections most welcome. Please send to: markscensus@uspcs.org
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| Scott Number | 03XU1 |
|---|---|
| Date | September 7, 1845 |
| From City | Baltimore |
| From State | MD |
| To City | Washington |
| To State | DC |
| Addressee | Miss Delia M. Black |
| Cert Author | |
| Cert # | |
| Fake | |
| No. of Stamps | 1 |
| Plate Position | 0 |
| Initials | |
| Others |
Notes
Baltimore, Maryland, 5c Blue on Buff entire, Black Signature Handstamp (3XU1 var). Clearly struck provisional markings with "James M. Buchanan" struck in brownish black, "Paid" and double-struck "5" in oval handstamps in blue, matching "Baltimore Md. Sep. 7" (1845) circular datestamp on cover to Miss Delia M. Black, care of Captain F. Black in Washington D.C., blue manuscript check mark, pencil receipt docketing "Sep. 7th, 1845", very faint waterstaining and wax seal mark at center
VERY FINE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST EXAMPLE OF A BALTIMORE POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL HANDSTAMPED ENVELOPE. A RARE COLOR COMBINATION WITH THE "JAMES M. BUCHANAN" SIGNATURE HANDSTAMP STRUCK IN BLACK.
The Baltimore provisional envelopes with the signature handstamp in black and other markings in blue were evidently the earliest of Postmaster Buchanan's issues. This September 7, 1845, envelope is addressed to Miss Delia M. Black, who married Gilbert Roger Jr. on October 6, 1845, after which point letters were addressed to her married name. Both the Hayes published census and the Shearer unpublished census list this envelope as number 1 in the handstamped envelope section. Twelve examples of the 5c Blue/Black combination envelope were recorded by Shearer as of June 1996 (plus the unlisted 5c envelope offered in lot 8 and two 10c Blue/Black envelopes).
Small "W.H.C." (Warren H. Colson) handstamp at lower right. Ex Col. Green. The Scott U.S. Specialized mentions that entires with the black signature handstamp were issued first and "sell for more," but this handstamp color combination is not given its own major listing. Scott value for blue signature handstamp is $6,500.00.
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Inc. sale 1020 lot 7 realized 4250
Eugen Costales sale Feb 18, 1946 (Col. Green Part 25) lot 4 realized 500
Robert A. Siegel sale 1120 lot 1024 realized 6250
Number 1 in the Hayes census.
VERY FINE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST EXAMPLE OF A BALTIMORE POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL HANDSTAMPED ENVELOPE. A RARE COLOR COMBINATION WITH THE "JAMES M. BUCHANAN" SIGNATURE HANDSTAMP STRUCK IN BLACK.
The Baltimore provisional envelopes with the signature handstamp in black and other markings in blue were evidently the earliest of Postmaster Buchanan's issues. This September 7, 1845, envelope is addressed to Miss Delia M. Black, who married Gilbert Roger Jr. on October 6, 1845, after which point letters were addressed to her married name. Both the Hayes published census and the Shearer unpublished census list this envelope as number 1 in the handstamped envelope section. Twelve examples of the 5c Blue/Black combination envelope were recorded by Shearer as of June 1996 (plus the unlisted 5c envelope offered in lot 8 and two 10c Blue/Black envelopes).
Small "W.H.C." (Warren H. Colson) handstamp at lower right. Ex Col. Green. The Scott U.S. Specialized mentions that entires with the black signature handstamp were issued first and "sell for more," but this handstamp color combination is not given its own major listing. Scott value for blue signature handstamp is $6,500.00.
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Inc. sale 1020 lot 7 realized 4250
Eugen Costales sale Feb 18, 1946 (Col. Green Part 25) lot 4 realized 500
Robert A. Siegel sale 1120 lot 1024 realized 6250
Number 1 in the Hayes census.
