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| Scott Number | 07X1 |
|---|---|
| Date | August 21, 1846 |
| From City | Millbury |
| From State | MA |
| To City | Worcester |
| To State | MA |
| Addressee | J. M. Barton |
| Cert Author | PF |
| Cert # | 216470 |
| Fake | |
| No. of Stamps | 1 |
| Plate Position | 0 |
| Initials | |
| Others |
Notes
Lot 5 Millbury, Mass., 5c Black on Bluish (7X1). Margins all around, except L. outer line just shaved, Beautifully tied by single Red "Paid" on 1846 cover to Worcester, Ms., matching "Milbury, Ms." pmk. & "V" in circle, Very Fine, a Wonderful cover of Great Beauty, Ex-Green.
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. sale 350 (1969 rarities) realized 17,000
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. sale 296 (1966 rarities) lot 9 realized 11,000
Christie's sale 7314 Sept 25, 1991 lot 62
Dated 8/21/46.
5c black on bluish (7X1), a particularly choice example, with margins nearly all around, except where just cutting outer circle at left, with bright color and crisp impression on fresh paper, nicely tied by clear Red straightlined PAID handstamp to a marvelously clean bluish 1846 folded cover to Worcester Mass, matching mostly clear Milbury, Ms. Aug 21 cds at upper left showing the spelling error of the town name and V in circle rate handstamp, fresh and Very Fine. In the letter there is a reference to a Mrs. Waters in a court case, who is most probably the wife of the postmaster. This cover is widely regarded as being among the finest of the merely eight recored on cover usages of the Millbury, Massachusetts Postmaster Provisional, the finest example having realized an impressive $231,000.00 in the 1898 auction sale of the Weill Brothers stock. In addition, this is the earliest recorded date of use, there is one other cover dated on August 21st, however it is in the archives of the American Antiquarian Society and therefore unavailable to collectors. This most striking Postmaster Provisional is certainly one of the more intriguing issues in United States philately, with very little being certain about its origins. Apparently these stamps were printed one at a time on a hand press from a roughly cut wood block, since every known example is identical. To date fewer than twenty examples of the 5c Millbury have been documented. These include the unique mint example, three copies on piece, six used singles(one cut to shape and possibly a counterfeit) and eight covers, with the on cover usage offered here being one of the finest of these stamps. Signed Weill and accompanied by 1989 PF certificate. Illustrated in Lidman's Treasury of Stamps on page 59. Ex. Green, Grombacher and Weill Brothers. Cat. $85000.
Matthew Bennett International sale 208 (Hill) lot 10 & cover illustration realized $90,000
PF 216470
7X1 1846 5¢ black on bluish
ON FL TO WORCESTER, MS. RED S/L "PAID" CANCEL WITH MATCHING MIDDLEBURY MS. PMK AND "V" IN CIRCLE ALONGSIDE.
AND WE ARE OF THE OPINION THAT
It Is Genuinely Used On Cover
Philip Ward Chronicle 121 Figure E
Siegel Census 7X1-COV-13
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. sale 350 (1969 rarities) realized 17,000
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. sale 296 (1966 rarities) lot 9 realized 11,000
Christie's sale 7314 Sept 25, 1991 lot 62
Dated 8/21/46.
5c black on bluish (7X1), a particularly choice example, with margins nearly all around, except where just cutting outer circle at left, with bright color and crisp impression on fresh paper, nicely tied by clear Red straightlined PAID handstamp to a marvelously clean bluish 1846 folded cover to Worcester Mass, matching mostly clear Milbury, Ms. Aug 21 cds at upper left showing the spelling error of the town name and V in circle rate handstamp, fresh and Very Fine. In the letter there is a reference to a Mrs. Waters in a court case, who is most probably the wife of the postmaster. This cover is widely regarded as being among the finest of the merely eight recored on cover usages of the Millbury, Massachusetts Postmaster Provisional, the finest example having realized an impressive $231,000.00 in the 1898 auction sale of the Weill Brothers stock. In addition, this is the earliest recorded date of use, there is one other cover dated on August 21st, however it is in the archives of the American Antiquarian Society and therefore unavailable to collectors. This most striking Postmaster Provisional is certainly one of the more intriguing issues in United States philately, with very little being certain about its origins. Apparently these stamps were printed one at a time on a hand press from a roughly cut wood block, since every known example is identical. To date fewer than twenty examples of the 5c Millbury have been documented. These include the unique mint example, three copies on piece, six used singles(one cut to shape and possibly a counterfeit) and eight covers, with the on cover usage offered here being one of the finest of these stamps. Signed Weill and accompanied by 1989 PF certificate. Illustrated in Lidman's Treasury of Stamps on page 59. Ex. Green, Grombacher and Weill Brothers. Cat. $85000.
Matthew Bennett International sale 208 (Hill) lot 10 & cover illustration realized $90,000
PF 216470
7X1 1846 5¢ black on bluish
ON FL TO WORCESTER, MS. RED S/L "PAID" CANCEL WITH MATCHING MIDDLEBURY MS. PMK AND "V" IN CIRCLE ALONGSIDE.
AND WE ARE OF THE OPINION THAT
It Is Genuinely Used On Cover
Philip Ward Chronicle 121 Figure E
Siegel Census 7X1-COV-13

