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