Lot
349 
Envelope, 1893, 2¢ Columbian, with purple C.H. Mekeel Stamp and Publishing Co. corner card and uprated with 1¢, 2¢ and 5¢ Columbians (cancelled by slightly indistinct but discernible "Saint Louis, Mo. Mar 18" First Day duplex to Baltimore Md., clear "Baltimore, Md., Rec'd, Mar 20 93" arrival backstamp, Very Fine. UPSS No. 1151. Scott No. U349 Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
ONE OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED FIRST DAY OF ISSUE USAGES OF THE 1893 COLUMBIAN STATIONERY ISSUE.
The 1893 World's Columbian Exposition series of commemorative stamps was supplemented by an issue of postal stationery. Four denominations were prepared but were not released until after the stamp issue. According to Maisel, the issue was released on March 18, 1893. The 2¢ entire is the only one know used on the first day of issue with four recorded from Washington D.C. (UPSS 1146, Platt Collection), St. Louis Mo. (UPSS 1151, the two offered here), and Portland Me. (one).
Realized: $5,750