Sale 39: The Donald Thompson Collection of Stampless Covers

Lot 568    

(Pittsburg). Folded letter datelined "Pittsburgh 9th June 1789" and addressed to the Assistant Postmaster General James Bryson in Philadelphia, Pa., with "Free Wm Tilton" postmaster free frank at lower left, Very Fine, a very early statehood period usage from postmaster William Tilton.
Estimate    $2,000 - 3,000.

Bryson is said to have established the first postal route between Philadelphia and Pittsburg. Tilton evidently had charge at the Pittsburgh end.

Realized: $3,750

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Lot 569    

(Pittsburgh) Pittsg Pa/Jun 8. Bold cds on 1804 folded letter to Philadelphia, Pa., manuscript "20" rate, letter with intersting account of traveling from Birmingham to Pittsburgh, Very Fine.
Estimate    $75 - 100.

Realized: $110

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Lot 570    

Presque Isle/Mar 26, 1802. Manuscript postmark with "25" rate on 1802 folded letter to Hartford, Conn., Very Fine, this is the name of what is now Erie, Pa., a very rare postmark of which only two are thought to exist.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $4,000

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Lot 571    

Scrantonia, Pa./Apr. 11. Sharp full strike of red fancy postmark on 1850 folded letter sheet to Westbrook, Ct., matching "5" rate handstamp; tiny cover nick at bottom center, Extremely Fine, a choice strike of this very rare fancy date stamp.
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

The Scrantonia post office was established on February 12, 1850. The town name was changed to Scranton on Jan 23, 1851. This unusual postmark design is in the shape of the cross section of a railroad iron rail which where produced at the Lackawanna Iron Works.

Realized: $625

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Lot 572    

Wilkes Barre, Pa./Jan. 3. Rimless circular postmark with manuscript date, on fresh 1832 folded letter to Harrisburg, Pa., manuscript "12½" rate, Very Fine and choice, this is the listing example in the ASCC.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Realized: $150

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Lot 573    

York, Pa./Oct. 8. Full sharp strike of fancy red female allegory postmark on 1827 folded letter to Columbia, Pa., manuscript "12" rate; light toning along file folds, Very Fine and choice, a lovely strike of this intricate & detailed fancy postmark.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

This pictorial postmark is considered to be the very first commemorative handstamp in the United States depicting "Lady Liberty".

Realized: $475

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