Lot
278 
City Despatch Post, 1842, 3¢ black on grayish, Position 4, top sheet margin single showing full guideline all around, sharp impression, o.g., never hinged, Superb; with 2017 P.F. Graded certificate (Superb GEM 100, SSV unpriced). Scott No. 40L1 $2,000 as o.g.
THE FINEST RECORDED NEVER-HINGED TOP-MARGIN SINGLE OF THE FIRST ADHESIVE STAMP ISSUED IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. A STUNNING STAMP, THE ONLY ONE GRADED 100.
Realized: $3,500
Lot
279 
One Cent Despatch, 1856, 1¢ red, large margins, neatly tied by "City Despatch, Oct 21, 8 A.M." cds on large cover to Commissioner of Pensions in Washington D.C., blue "Baltimore, Md., Oct 21" cds and matching "Free" straight line handstamp; stamp with light corner creases and cover with file crease and refolded at left, F.-V.F.; with 2017 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 112L2 $1,750.
ONE OF TWO KNOWN USAGES OF THE 1¢ RED WILEY'S STAMP ON A TO-THE-MAILS USAGE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE BALTIMORE "FREE" HANDSTAMP.
Realized: $1,050
Lot
280
Spence & Brown Express Post, 1848 (2¢) black, rejoined vertical pair, o.g., margins full to just touching at top, creases barely detracting, Very Fine appearance, ex-Lilly, Hall & Kuphal. Scott No. 159L2 $3,000.
CONSIDERED TO BE THE FINEST MULTIPLE OF THE SPENCE & BROWN EXPRESS POST'S ICONIC HORSE & RIDER STAMP.
The only other known multiple of this issue is the famous block of 25 which is somewhat heavily toned, stained and creased. The bottom stamp in this pair, with full margins all around, may be the finest known example in existence (and the illustration in the Scott catalog).
Realized: $4,500