Lot
2379 
Mearis' City Despatch Post, 1846, 2¢ black on gray, tied on piece by manuscript cancel, margins clear to slightly into frame, some original gum residue of face of stamp, Very Fine, listed but unpriced in the Scott catalog; with 2016 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 103L3 var. Estimate $7,500 - 10,000.
THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS 2¢ MEARIS' CITY DESPATCH POST ISSUE WITH THIS UNIQUE TYPESET ARRANGEMENT.
This Baltimore local post was established by Malcom W. Mearis in January of 1846 and carried letters within the city and to the Post Office. The post received mail at 100 letter box locations throughout the city. In the first three months of operation, the rates for delivery were 2¢ for letters carried locally, and 1¢ for letters to the mails. They also offered a special 'fast horse" express service to deliver letters directly to U.S. mail agents for 2¢.
This 2¢ issue is distinct with the type style in the first three line similar to that of Scott 103L6 (one of the four 1¢ issues) and the fourth line type different from all other issues. It is believed that all seven types of Mearis stamps were produced from one plate.