Lot 1920
(Wrappers) 1783 (Aug. 12) Philadelphia Pa. to Norwich Conn., folded letter with Philadelphia "13/AV" Franklin mark and matching partial "FREE" rating handstamp to Postmaster Dudley Woodbridge, original letter datelined "Phila. Augst. 12th. 1783" and reads "My Late Absence from this City has prevented your hearing from me upon the subject of News Papers; -if they are enclosed in Letters they pay the same Postage as if they were Letters; - the proper way of sending them is open, in the Case of the Post Rider (who receives a Perquisite for carrying them) & not to put them in the mail at all; - if they are sent in the mail they must paid for as Letters" and signed "Eben Hazard" as Postmaster General; mended tear, Very Fine.Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
AN INTERESTING LETTER FROM POSTMASTER GENERAL EBENEZER HAZARD CONCERNING THE HANDLING OF NEWSPAPERS.
Letter from Ebenezer Hazard, Postmaster to the Continental Congress, sent in reply to a local postmaster providing the definition of wrapper use: "…the proper way of sending them is open…" This distinction of "open" (visible) versus "closed" is applied here and was used until the cessation of wrappers.
Realized: $800
Lot 1921
Blood & Co., 1854 (1¢) bronze on lilac, acid tied, "Blood's Despatch, Sep 5, 10½. A.M., 1856" cds on folded cover to local Philadelphia Post Office Box, entered mails with "Philadelphia, Sep 5" cds and matching bold "1" double-octagon rating handstamp for 1¢ drop rate; open at top and sides, Very Fine and unusual drop rate use.Scott No. 15L14 Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $160
Lot 1922
Hussey's Post, 1858, black on manila, clear strike of handstamp and additional "PAID/G. HUSSEY" two-line handstamp on manila wrapper to New York City, pencil "X" at top right, Very Fine and choice.Scott No. 87LUP2 $600.
Private local posts also delivered items in wrappers (identified by open ends), generally at the one cent rate before the Post Office issued stamped wrappers.
Lot 1923
Wrapper, 1861, 1¢ blue on manila, die 1, cancelled by blue "Wells. Fargo Cos Express, S. Frco. 18 Jun" double-circle datestamp and with matching "Paid" oval handstamp to Virginia City, Nevada Territory; soiling and flaws, Fine and rare, ex-Litchenstein.Scott No. W21 Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
THE ONLY RECORDED NESBITT WRAPPER USE CARRIED BY WELLS FARGO EXPRESS, ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED CARRIED OUTSIDE THE MAILS.
Realized: $700
Lot 1924
Wrapper, 1861, 1¢ blue on manila, die 1, uprated with 2¢ black (73), nicely centered, tied by four-ring target cancel, matching "Port Royal, Va., 1863" cds to Gouverneur N.Y. at the 3¢ letter rate, Very Fine use at the letter rate, ex-Barkhausen (backstamp).Scott No. W21 Estimate $300 - 400.
Lot 1925
Wrapper, 1861, 1¢ blue on manila, die 1, endorsed "By Adams Express, Thirty Dollars" at top with indicia cancelled by manuscript to the German Savings Bank in New York City, inside docketed from "Friedr. Rudolph Perl, Comp. B. 52d N.York, R Nov 23, 1863" and "$30.00, Exp. 50, Dep. $29.50", additional manuscript "$30.00" at bottom left crossed out and updated to "$29.50" with Adams express fee of 50¢ deducted, Very Fine and rare Civil War use of wrapper from Union Soldier via Adams Express.Scott No. W21 Estimate $300 - 400.
THE ONLY RECORDED NESBITT WRAPPER USE CARRIED BY ADAMS EXPRESS, ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED CARRIED OUTSIDE THE MAILS.
The Postal Act of August 31, 1852 required express companies to buy stamped envelopes for carrying mail and to cancel the envelope when used, even if it never entered the U.S. Post Office Department mails. The use of wrappers was likely done when shortages of printed frank entires occurred or were not available.
Realized: $375
Lot 1926
Wrapper, 1861, 1¢ blue on manila, die 1, uprated with 1¢ blue (63) tied by segmented cork cancel to local street address, Very Fine and choice in bright early manila paper shade, ex-Ackerman.Scott No. W21 Estimate $200 - 300.
Civil War paper shortages caused the Post Office to look for less expensive paper sources for wrappers. Manila paper was made from plant material and has longer fibers (often 6 to 8mm) with dark brown inclusions.
Realized: $160
Lot 1927
Wrapper, 1861, 1¢ blue on manila, die 1, uprated with 1¢ blue (63), tied by "Norwich, Con, Jun 27" cds to New Haven Conn. at 2¢ circular rate; 1¢ trivial corner perf crease, Very Fine and scarce wrapper use.Scott No. W21 Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $160
Lot 1928
Wrapper, 1864, 2¢ black on buff, die 4, uncancelled addressed to Philadelphia Pa. street address, Very Fine, ex-Barkhausen. UPSS No. 118 $200.Scott No. W55; $120 Estimate $150 - 200.
Lot 1929 ()
Wrapper, 1864, 2¢ black on light manila, die 4, wrapper front bearing 2¢ black, F. Grill (93) tied by circular cancel and New York partial "Paid All" exchange straightline to Bern, Switzerland; light file fold affecting indicia, Fine, a rare Blackjack stamp and wrapper combination, ex-Fosdyke.Scott No. W57 Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $220