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| Scott Number | 1 |
|---|---|
| Date | February 28, 1849 |
| From City | Cincinnati |
| From State | OH |
| To City | New York |
| To State | NY |
| Addressee | Ringstrom |
| Cert Author | PF |
| Cert # | 624575 |
| Fake | NG |
| Quantity 1 | 1 |
| Quantity 2 | 0 |
| Bisect | |
| Others |
Notes
Lot 2034 1, 1847 5c Red brown, on folded letter addressed to New York, dateline "26th Feby 1849", with red "Cincinnati, O. 10 FEB 28" postmark, stamp appears uncancelled and is sound and Very Fine with four ample large margins all around, cover with typical file folds, small tear at top, some minor creasing and soiling around edges, overall Fine (Scott $525)
H R Harmer sale 3004 realized 300
Not listed in Alexander
PF 624575 (7/15/2026)
1 1847 5c red brown
Uncancelled single on folded letter with red Cincinnati, O. Feb 28 (1849) to New York
And we are of the opinion
the stamp is genuine used with a cleaned cancel and did not originate on this cover
(Letter images and Information courtesy of Bernerd Jacques)
James Boorman & John Johnston were iron mongers (Doggett’s 1848 NYC Directory). They started their firm in 1813. They specialized in buying bar iron and steel directly from Sweden (such as from Gothenburg) to feed America's growing mid-19th-century industrial needs.
Their commercial wharves and iron stores on the Hudson River frequently served as arrival points for both industrial iron cargo and Scandinavian immigrants.
The single 5c stamp was, of course, insufficient for postage for the over 300-mile trip to New York City, as noted by the 10 in the CDS. It is probable that a stamp has been removed. If the remaining 5c had been paid in cash, the Cincinnati post office would have marked the cover to prevent the NYC post office from charging the recipient. Unless such a marking is beneath the remaining 5c stamp, this letter was not sent stampless. The stamp does not appeared to be tied to the letter.
Letter is internally endorsed Answered March 20, further supporting the theory that Mr. Ringstrom was an immigrant who arrived in New York several weeks after this letter was mailed.
Letter signed S. Hanbury Smith. The 1849 edition of William’s Cincinnati City Directory lists a Dr. S. Hanbury Smith as a member of the firm White & Smith on Walnut Street between 3rd and 4th. Also listed is John F. White and S. Hanbury Smith as allopathic physicians in the Baker’s Building on Walnut below 4th.
Dr. Samuel Hanbury Smith (1810-1894) was a Swedish-educated British physician who immigrated to Ohio. His documented life focused on medical administration, treating cholera, psychiatric care, and manufacturing artificial mineral water.
Dr. John F. White was officially listed as a founding faculty member and the Professor of the Theory and Practice of Medicine at the Miami Medical College of Cincinnati when it opened for its first session in November 1852.
H R Harmer sale 3004 realized 300
Not listed in Alexander
PF 624575 (7/15/2026)
1 1847 5c red brown
Uncancelled single on folded letter with red Cincinnati, O. Feb 28 (1849) to New York
And we are of the opinion
the stamp is genuine used with a cleaned cancel and did not originate on this cover
(Letter images and Information courtesy of Bernerd Jacques)
James Boorman & John Johnston were iron mongers (Doggett’s 1848 NYC Directory). They started their firm in 1813. They specialized in buying bar iron and steel directly from Sweden (such as from Gothenburg) to feed America's growing mid-19th-century industrial needs.
Their commercial wharves and iron stores on the Hudson River frequently served as arrival points for both industrial iron cargo and Scandinavian immigrants.
The single 5c stamp was, of course, insufficient for postage for the over 300-mile trip to New York City, as noted by the 10 in the CDS. It is probable that a stamp has been removed. If the remaining 5c had been paid in cash, the Cincinnati post office would have marked the cover to prevent the NYC post office from charging the recipient. Unless such a marking is beneath the remaining 5c stamp, this letter was not sent stampless. The stamp does not appeared to be tied to the letter.
Letter is internally endorsed Answered March 20, further supporting the theory that Mr. Ringstrom was an immigrant who arrived in New York several weeks after this letter was mailed.
Letter signed S. Hanbury Smith. The 1849 edition of William’s Cincinnati City Directory lists a Dr. S. Hanbury Smith as a member of the firm White & Smith on Walnut Street between 3rd and 4th. Also listed is John F. White and S. Hanbury Smith as allopathic physicians in the Baker’s Building on Walnut below 4th.
Dr. Samuel Hanbury Smith (1810-1894) was a Swedish-educated British physician who immigrated to Ohio. His documented life focused on medical administration, treating cholera, psychiatric care, and manufacturing artificial mineral water.
Dr. John F. White was officially listed as a founding faculty member and the Professor of the Theory and Practice of Medicine at the Miami Medical College of Cincinnati when it opened for its first session in November 1852.
