Lot
18 
St. Louis, Mo., 1845, 10¢ Black on Greenish, large margins all around, sharp detailed impression on bright greenish paper, on 1846 folded letter to Lexington, Ky. tied by manuscript "X" cancel and initialed J. M. W. by Postmaster John M. Wimer, additionally tied by red "St. Louis, Mo., Feb 10" cds with matching straight line "Paid" handstamp and manuscript "10" rate below, Extremely Fine, ex-Texas Collector, Weill. Scott No. 11X2 Estimate $20,000 - 30,000.
THE UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF THE 10¢ ST. LOUIS PROVISIONAL ON GREENISH PAPER TIED ON COVER BY POSTMASTER JOHN M. WIMER INITIALS.
John M. Wimer was the postmaster who issued the 5¢, 10¢ and 20¢ Bear, who also served the city as Alderman and Mayor. The plate of six subjects was engraved by J.M. Kerhsap, proprietor of the Western Card and Seal Company of St. Louis. The design of the stamps - the Missouri coat of arms held by bears at each side - was based on the Great Seal of Missouri. The seal was designed by William G. Pettus, who chose bears as a symbol of Missouri citizens' rugged durability.