Lot
1021 
Special Delivery, 1885, 10¢ Blue, top plate number 496 and imprint strip of four with full untrimmed selvage, o.g., lightly hinged, some perf separations, Fine. Scott No. E1 $6,250.
There were only two plate number used for the 1885 issue, "495" and "496". Both plate numbers went to press in early August 1885. Stamps were distributed to post offices during August and September, prior to the October 1, 1885 initiation of service.
Realized: $1,300
Lot
1022 
Special Delivery, 1885, 10¢ Blue, tied by octagonal "Floyd C.H. Va. Sep 29 1885" duplexed with cork cancel along with 2¢ red brown (210) tied by matching cork, on cover to Columbus Oh., reverse with "Columbus. O. Rec'd. Oct 1, 5PM, 1885" arrival cds; light stain, F.-V.F.; with 1979 P.F. certificate. Scott No. E1 Estimate $15,000 - 20,000.
THIS IS THE EARLIEST KNOWN USE OF THE 1885 10¢ SPECIAL DELIVERY STAMP, DELIVERED ON OCTOBER 1, 1885, THE FIRST DAY OF SERVICE.
This letter was mailed two days prior to the first day of stamp issuance and inauguration of the special delivery service. It was deliver on the first day of special delivery service.
References: Illustrated and discussed in Robert L. Markovits article in Collectors Club Philatelist, May-June 2001, pp. 133-139.
Realized: $17,000
Lot
1023
Special Delivery, 1885, 10¢ Blue, First Day of Service Cover, tied by "Clifton Spring N.Y. Oct 1, 1885" first day of service duplex along with 2¢ red brown (210) on cover to Orange N.J., reverse with "Orange N.J., Rec'd., Oct 2, 1PM, 1885" arrival cds; flap tear, Very Fine. Scott No. E1 $27,500.
ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE FIVE RECORDED FIRST DAY OF SERVICE COVERS OF THE 1885 10¢ SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE.
Orange N.J. was one of the 555 authorized post offices that offered service starting on October 1, 1885. The stamps however would have been available across the country to prepay the Special Delivery fee on letters to one of the 555 towns that offered service.
References: Illustrated and discussed in Robert L. Markovits article in Collectors Club Philatelist, May-June 2001, pp. 133-139.
Realized: $17,000
Lot
1024
Special Delivery, 1885, 10¢ Blue, tied by four ring cancel on Hawaii 5¢ blue (U4) entire to San Francisco Cal., matching "Honolulu H.I., Sep 25, 1886" cds to San Francisco Cal, reverse with purple "H.J. Nolte, Honolulu, H.I." double-oval handstamp, magenta "San Francisco Cal. Pd. All, Oct 2" arrival cds and "Special Delivery, Post Office, San Francisco, Cal. Oct 2, 1886" backstamp; repaired faults at left, Fine. Scott No. E1 Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE USE OF THE 10¢ 1885 SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE FROM HAWAII.
Realized: $4,250
Lot
1025
Special Delivery, 1885, 10¢ Blue, used with 2¢ red brown (210), both tied by two strikes of "New York, Oct 1 '86" duplex on cover to Meadville Pa., reverse with "New-York Transit Oct 1" cds and Meadville Pa. (10.2) arrival cds; signed in pencil "GBS, 5/16/41" by Sloane on reverse. Scott No. E1 Estimate $500 - 750.
THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED USE ON THE FIRST DAY OF EXPANDED SERVICE.
On October 1, 1886, usage of the first issue was extended to all of the over 4000 first class post offices.
Realized: $425
Lot
1026
Special Delivery, 1885, 10¢ Blue, used on 1¢ orange brown (UX8) postal card, tied by "Wilmington Del. Oct 31, 1885" duplexes to Philadelphia Pa., "Received, Phil'a., Oct 31" arrival cds, Very Fine and choice. Scott No. E1 Estimate $500 - 750.
THE ONLY RECORDED USAGE OF THE 10¢ 1885 SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE ON A POSTAL CARD WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF USE.
Special Delivery was generally used by the public to expedite letters and time sensitive material or goods. The service was seldom used for cards or letter sheets and when used were quickly discarded. This accounts for the general scarcity of these items.
Realized: $1,300
Lot
1027
Special Delivery, 1885, 10¢ Blue, well centered, tied by purple "On delivery of this letter, Carrier will please obtain the envelope and name of mailing Post Office and return to Super-intendent of Carriers." handstamp on illustrated hotel corner card cover bearing Canada 2¢ carmine tied by "Toronto, Feb 17 00" waving flag machine cancel to Cincinnati Oh.; sealed top edge tears, Very Fine appearance. Scott No. E1 Estimate $400 - 600.
EARLIEST RECORDED USE OF U.S. SPECIAL DELIVERY UNDER INFORMAL CANADIAN EXCHANGE AGREEMENT.
For more than 100 years, Canada and the United States generally followed each other's first class postage rates. Although unusual, and without a formal treaty, postmasters on both sides of the border stocked the 10¢ Special Delivery stamps of the other country beginning July 1, 1898. Special Delivery service was exchanged as a general practice.
Realized: $375
Lot
1028
Special Delivery, 1885, 10¢ Blue, used on 2¢ Grant lettersheet (U293), tied by "New-York 'PO' Nov 17 '86" duplexes to local New York street address, clean and Very Fine. Scott No. E1 Estimate $300 - 400.
ONE OF ONLY 5 RECORDED USAGES OF THE 10¢ 1885 SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE ON THE 2¢ GRANT LETTERSHEET IN PRIVATE HANDS.
Realized: $250
Lot
1029
Special Delivery, 1885, 10¢ Blue, nat. s.e. at left, used on L.H. Rogers Postal Letter Sheet along with 2¢ red brown (210), each tied by strike of "New-York 'PO' Oct 30 '85" duplex to local New York City street address, Very Fine. Scott No. E1 Estimate $300 - 400.
THE ONLY RECORDED USE OF THE 10¢ 1885 SPECIAL DELIVERY ISSUE ON A PRIVATE POSTAL LETTERSHEET.
Realized: $550
Lot
1030
Special Delivery, 1885, 10¢ Blue, tied by partial "Ithaca Rec'd" cds on cover from Germany to Ithaca N.Y. bearing 10pf pair tied by two strikes of "Bad Elster 2/6 87" cds, Very Fine, This is the earliest recorded use of the 10¢ 1885 Special Delivery Issue on mail from Europe.; with 1991 P.F. certificate. Scott No. E1 Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $475