Lot 10
Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.P.O. Despatch, 1849-50, 1¢ black on rose, "LS", full margins including sheet margin at left, on folded letter to Lancaster, Pa. with blue "Philada., Pa., 5, Mar 13" integral rate cds at center, with letter datelined "Phila. March 10, 1849", Extremely Fine, ex-Emerson, Knapp, Gibson, Golden and D.K. Collection; with 1999 P.F. certificate.Scott No. 7LB4 Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
THE EARLIEST RECORDED USAGE OF ANY PHILADELPHIA POST OFFICE CARRIER STAMP.
In February 1849, the Postmaster General made a serious attempt to gain greater market share of carrier collections in several major cities. The Philadelphia carrier department reorganized with the prepayment by stamps and bypassing the 2¢ drop rate with a physically separate carrier department for city mail, collected and/or delivered in the city, and "from the mails" was reduced to one cent.
Realized: $1,900