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| Scott Number | 1 |
|---|---|
| Date | January 21, 1851 |
| From City | Pittsburgh |
| From State | PA |
| To City | Milestown |
| To State | PA |
| Addressee | Russell Smith |
| Cert Author | PSE |
| Cert # | (2002) |
| Fake | |
| Quantity 1 | 2 |
| Quantity 2 | 0 |
| Bisect | |
| Others |
Notes
Lot 339 1847, 5¢ red brown, horizontal pair, large margins all around, tied by neat red cancel on fresh 1851 folded letter to Philadelphia, Pa., matching red "Pittsburgh, Pa., Jan 21" cds; small sealed cover tear at top, Extremely Fine and choice, a stunning double rate usage, with 2002 P.S.E. certificate.
Scott No. 1; Estimate $1,000-1,500.
Schuyler J. Rumsey, Inc. sale 30 realized 2100
Schuyler J. Rumsey Inc. sale 40 lot 1107 realized 3500
Alexander listed as 1/21/51 and duplicated as xx/xx/51 (removed)
The Thomas J. Alexander Papers in the APRL show a partial image, identical to this cover, from Ivy, Shreve & Mader sale March 18, 1993 lot 2909.
Russell Smith (1812-1896) was a native of Glasgow, Scotland whose family came to the United States in 1819 and settled near Pittsburgh. Russell showed an early interest in art. His first formal training in portraiture and landscape painting was in Pittsburgh under James Reid Lambdin. Around 1827, Smith began painting backdrops for theaters and within 6 years had achieved a national reputation for his theatrical painting. In 1835 he moved to Philadelphia to paint for the Walnut Street Theater, and soon received commissions to paint for theaters in Boston and Washington. Around this time, he also began writing poetry. Even while engaged in theatrical work, Smith continued to paint landscapes which were exhibited at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the Artists' Fund Society of Philadelphia as early as 1834.
Russell Smith married Mary Priscilla Wilson, a flower painter and teacher of French and drawing, in 1838. Mary’s family lived in Milestown.
Scott No. 1; Estimate $1,000-1,500.
Schuyler J. Rumsey, Inc. sale 30 realized 2100
Schuyler J. Rumsey Inc. sale 40 lot 1107 realized 3500
Alexander listed as 1/21/51 and duplicated as xx/xx/51 (removed)
The Thomas J. Alexander Papers in the APRL show a partial image, identical to this cover, from Ivy, Shreve & Mader sale March 18, 1993 lot 2909.
Russell Smith (1812-1896) was a native of Glasgow, Scotland whose family came to the United States in 1819 and settled near Pittsburgh. Russell showed an early interest in art. His first formal training in portraiture and landscape painting was in Pittsburgh under James Reid Lambdin. Around 1827, Smith began painting backdrops for theaters and within 6 years had achieved a national reputation for his theatrical painting. In 1835 he moved to Philadelphia to paint for the Walnut Street Theater, and soon received commissions to paint for theaters in Boston and Washington. Around this time, he also began writing poetry. Even while engaged in theatrical work, Smith continued to paint landscapes which were exhibited at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the Artists' Fund Society of Philadelphia as early as 1834.
Russell Smith married Mary Priscilla Wilson, a flower painter and teacher of French and drawing, in 1838. Mary’s family lived in Milestown.
