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| Scott Number | 08XU4 |
|---|---|
| Date | April 17, 1846 |
| From City | New Haven |
| From State | CT |
| To City | Athens |
| To State | AL |
| Addressee | Dr. J. F. Sowell |
| Cert Author | PF |
| Cert # | 216471 |
| Fake | |
| No. of Stamps | 1 |
| Plate Position | |
| Initials | |
| Others |
Notes
PF 216471
8XU4 1846 5¢ dull blue on white ENTIRE ADDRESSED TO ATHENS, ALA. RED NEW HAVEN PMK WITH "DUE 5" AT LEFT.
AND WE ARE OF THE OPINION THAT
It Is A Genuine Usage With LIGHT AGE STAINING
Lot 635 5c Dull blue on white entire, blue signature (8XU4, incorrectly described as black signature), the finer of two recorded strikes in the Dull Blue color, light but legible and mostly complete, clear signature. red New Haven April 17, (1846) datestamp, matching 5 and manuscript Due marking on entire addressed by Benjamin Silliman Jr. to Dr. J. F. Sowell, Athens, Limestone County, Ala., lightly stained on back and around edges, slight scuffs at right edge just touching provisional marking, small piece of backflap missing.
The story of the discovery of this New Haven entire is given in the Means booklet (pp 40-42). It was found in 1924 among a shoebox of 1841-47 folded letters, including correspondence sent by Benjamin Silliman Senior and Junior. The former's handwriting is found on the entires addressed to Professor Hubbard and his wife (Faith Silliman). The latter's hand was used to address the entire offered in this lot. Only two entires are struck in the Dull Blue color; this one on white and another one on buff paper. Of the two, the impression on the Brooks entire is more complete and less faded.
As fine a copy as can be obtained. An important Postmasters' Provisional issue of the highest order of rarity. Ex. Brooks. Catalog value of $25,000 has remained relatively the same since 1969. Est. $20,000-25,000.
Christie's Oct 12, 1989 sale (Weill Brothers) realized $15,000
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Inc. sale 464 lot 153 realized $12,500
Harmer sale 3070 Erivan 10 lot 4 realized 30,000 (image)
Ashbrook Bound Book 6, page 026 posted on the USPCS website.
Benjamin Silliman was an early Professor of Science at Yale University and a chemist who was the first to distill petroleum.
I was able to find a few references to Dr J. F Sowell. He was reported to have found a meteorite in 1845 and had some geology samples destroyed by northern troops attacking Athens during the Civil War.
8XU4 1846 5¢ dull blue on white ENTIRE ADDRESSED TO ATHENS, ALA. RED NEW HAVEN PMK WITH "DUE 5" AT LEFT.
AND WE ARE OF THE OPINION THAT
It Is A Genuine Usage With LIGHT AGE STAINING
Lot 635 5c Dull blue on white entire, blue signature (8XU4, incorrectly described as black signature), the finer of two recorded strikes in the Dull Blue color, light but legible and mostly complete, clear signature. red New Haven April 17, (1846) datestamp, matching 5 and manuscript Due marking on entire addressed by Benjamin Silliman Jr. to Dr. J. F. Sowell, Athens, Limestone County, Ala., lightly stained on back and around edges, slight scuffs at right edge just touching provisional marking, small piece of backflap missing.
The story of the discovery of this New Haven entire is given in the Means booklet (pp 40-42). It was found in 1924 among a shoebox of 1841-47 folded letters, including correspondence sent by Benjamin Silliman Senior and Junior. The former's handwriting is found on the entires addressed to Professor Hubbard and his wife (Faith Silliman). The latter's hand was used to address the entire offered in this lot. Only two entires are struck in the Dull Blue color; this one on white and another one on buff paper. Of the two, the impression on the Brooks entire is more complete and less faded.
As fine a copy as can be obtained. An important Postmasters' Provisional issue of the highest order of rarity. Ex. Brooks. Catalog value of $25,000 has remained relatively the same since 1969. Est. $20,000-25,000.
Christie's Oct 12, 1989 sale (Weill Brothers) realized $15,000
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Inc. sale 464 lot 153 realized $12,500
Harmer sale 3070 Erivan 10 lot 4 realized 30,000 (image)
Ashbrook Bound Book 6, page 026 posted on the USPCS website.
Benjamin Silliman was an early Professor of Science at Yale University and a chemist who was the first to distill petroleum.
I was able to find a few references to Dr J. F Sowell. He was reported to have found a meteorite in 1845 and had some geology samples destroyed by northern troops attacking Athens during the Civil War.
