Lot
43 
1851, 1¢ blue, type II. Tied by "Philadelphia, Pa." cds paying the drop letter rate on sealed Knight's Safety Patent envelope addressed to the creator of the envelope, envelope sealed and fastened with clamped eyelet at top through upper portion of stamp, with additional similar addressed cover (without franking) opened to show printed Knight's Improved Safety Envelopes advertisement with illustrated instructions on it's use, Very Fine, a spectacular and extremely rare patent envelope usage. Scott No. 7 Estimate $4,000 - 6,000.
In 1856, Robert T. Knight patented his Safety Envelope which retained the main features of the old folded letter and added an additional clamping feature. This was designed not only to prevent tampering with the envelope, but after opening it held both enclosure and envelope together for filing. A group of these letters then could be bound together like a book for storage. Like the Leeds and Franklin patent envelopes, this idea never caught the imagination of the public.
Realized: $14,000
Lot
44
1851, 1¢ blue, type II. Four margins, light crease, tied by blue "Nashua, N.H." cds on large size embossed Valentine cover with floral pattern with attractive lace enclosure (split along fold), Very Fine, a lovely exhibition item. Scott No. 7 Estimate $400 - 600.
Realized: $675
Lot
45
1851, 1¢ blue, type II. Rich color and sharp early impression, tied by full sharp strike of red serifed "Chicago, Ill., Aug 18" cds on 1852 to printed circular for "Cooley, Wadsworth & Co. Wholesale Dry Goods Warehouse" to Franklinville Ill., Very Fine and choice, a lovely postmark and cover. Scott No. 7 Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $575
Lot
46
1856, 5¢ red brown. Four large even margins with rich color, tied by "New Orleans, La., Mar 20, 1857" cds on folded letter sheet to France with red "New-York Br. Pkt" credit cds, numerous transit and arrival markings, Extremely Fine and choice, A stunning cover used during the Three Month Rate Period, one of only a handful known; with 2004 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 12 Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
The "Three Months" rate was a stopgap measure in effect while the U.S.-France postal treaty was being finalized. As with the "French Decree" rate, only the 5¢ U.S. internal postage was prepaid. However, a new postal convention between France and Great Britain went into effect on January 1, 1857, which significantly reduced the amount of sea and transit postage paid by France to Great Britain. As a result, the amount of due postage charged by France to the recipient dropped from 13 decimes (26¢) to 8 decimes.
This rate combination (5¢ U.S. prepaid and 8 decimes French unpaid) only appears on covers from the United States to France carried by British packet between January 1 and March 31, 1857. On April, the new "all-in" U.S.-French treaty rate of 15¢ went into effect, with no partial payment allowed.
Realized: $5,000
Lot
47
1856, 5¢ red brown. Four large even margins with rich color, tied by "New Orleans, La., Sep 29" cds on 1856 folded cover to Bordeaux, France with red "New-York Br. Pkt" credit cds, numerous transit and arrival markings, Extremely Fine and choice, a rare exhibition item; with 2004 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 12 Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
Carried by British packet (the Canada) and rated 13 decimes (26¢) due as follows: 5 decimes sea postage, 3 decimes transit postage and 5 decimes French inland postage. This was the "French Decree" rate for letters up to 7½ grams.
Realized: $2,200
Lot
48
1855, 10¢ green, types II & III. Top stamp type II, clear to mostly large margins, tied by "Williamsburg, Va., Nov 17" cds on 1856 rose cover addressed to the "U.S. Sloop-of War "Cyane"" in Aspinwall, Panama, endorsed "Per Steamer "George Law"" at bottom left, Extremely Fine. Scott No. 14,15 Estimate $500 - 750.
Realized: $625
Lot
49
1855, 10¢ green, type III. Clear to mostly large margins, center stamp with tiny tear at top, tied on 1856 Prussian closed mail rate cover to Detmold, Germany by "New Orleans, La., Apr 17" cds's and red "N. York, Am. Pkt., Paid 7, Apr 26" exchange postmark, red Aachen boxed date stamp and receiving postmark on reverse, cover with minor edge wear, Very Fine and scarce. Scott No. 15 Estimate $500 - 750.
Realized: $425
Lot
50
1851, 12¢ black. Four large even margins (8mm scissor cut in margin between stamps), tied by two strikes of blue "Columbia, S.C., May 14" cds with third strike at left on 1857 cover to London, England, additionally tied by bold London tombstone & numeral "19" credit handstamp, both in red, backstamped "Boston Br. Pkt." cds, Extremely Fine and choice, a striking cover in gem quality, ex-Judd; with 2004 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 17 Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
Realized: $1,600