Lot
336 
Hampton City Despatch, 1847 (2¢) black, neatly cut to shape as always with margins clear of outer frameline all around, canceled by small "X" below "Paid" in light red and blue ink, with handstamp impression showing though onto letter effectively tying stamp, additionally tied by blue "Philada, Pa. '5cts' Aug 23" integral rate cds on folded letter with Quaker dateline "8mo (Aug) 19th, 1847" to Friendsville Pa., "Via N. York" routing endorsement; cover with trivial faint stain at upper right and some splitting along folds, Very Fine, ex-Ackerman, Gibson and Boker; signed Robson Lowe, with 1999 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 77L1 Estimate $10,000 - 15,000.
THE UNIQUE TIED EXAMPLE OF THE T.A. HAMPTON "CITY DESPATCH" STAMP - THE FINEST AND MOST SIGNIFICANT OF SIX GENUINE ON COVER USAGES RECORDED.
Less than ten examples of this stamp are known, several of which have been erroneously placed on covers. No other example bears any type of cancellation, let alone cancellations from both the Philadelphia Post Office and the local post. This cover is of the greatest significance as it is the only known tied example of any of the Hampton stamps.
The six recorded genuine 77L1 covers (the 1849 uses were questioned by Hahn):
1. Aug. 7, 1847 to P. H. Purviance, Auditor General, Harrisburg Pa., PFC
2. Aug. 23, 1847, tied by Philadelphia datestamp on folded letter to Friendsville Pa., ex-Ackerman, Gibson, Boker, the cover offered here
3. Oct. 5, 1847 to Daniel Blade, Easton Pa., ex-Gibson
4. Mar. 21, 1848, no other details known, ex-Worthington
5. Sep. 25, 1849 embossed cover to Benjaline French "Present"
6. Nov. 22, 1849 embossed cover to Miss Benjaline French, ex-Boker, Golden, signed Lowe.
Realized: $12,000