Lot 976
Baltimore Large "Paid" in Double-Line Handstamp, in red at top left, manuscript "PO" at top left, blue "Baltimore Md., Oct 10" cds and matching "Paid" straightline with manuscript "5" rate, Beatty correspondence to Hagerstown Md., Very Fine; with 2013 P.F. certificate.Estimate $300 - 400.
This marking has sometimes been confused with the prepaid provisional entires but Baltimore postal history specialist Denwood Kelly believed that these handstamps were applied by the sender to the top of the letter of prepaid bundles deposited at the post office. Two similar covers were offered in the Weill Postmaster sale 10/12/89 as lots 606 and 608, fetching a combined $2,600 hammer.
Realized: $200
Lot 977
(Boscawen, N.H.) W(orcester) Webster, P.M., Free, manuscript free frank on 1850 folded letter written by the creator of the Boscawen Postmaster Provisional, red "Boscawen, N.H., Feb 22" cds and matching "Free" handstamp, Very Fine.Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $110
Lot 978
[First Day of Rate] New-York '5 Cts.' Jul 1 (1845), perfect strike of red cds on 1845 folded letter to Webster Mass.; folds reinforced, Very Fine appearance.Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $210
Lot 979
[Second Day of Rate] New-York '5 Cts.' Jul 2 (1845), red cds re-rated with blue manuscript to "10" on folded letter datelined July 1st 1845 to Watertown N.Y., the first line of the letter shows the current excitement throughout the country for reduced postal rates: "First, let us rejoice together in the opening era of Cheap Postage!"; couple file folds, Very Fine.Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $170