The Hall Collection Auction Preview

Transcription

1 The Hall Collection Auction Preview AUCTION GALLERIES, INC.

2 The $4.00 Black Pony Cover One of two recorded covers with the $4.00 Black Pony Express stamp issued by Wells, Fargo & Co. Mailed in 1861 from the United States Consulate in Honolulu, Hawaii, to the United States Treasury Department in Washington D.C. Carried from Honolulu to San Francisco, where McRuer and Merrill, forwarding agents, delivered it to the Wells, Fargo & Co. office for Pony Express carriage to the eastern terminus at St. Joseph, Missouri. Sent free through the United States mails. $4.00 Black Pony stamp tied by August 10 (1861) blue Running Pony oval. Ex Atherton. Estimate $300, ,000

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5 Introduction The Hall Collection THE HALL COLLECTION WILL BE OFFERED IN A SERIES of auctions, beginning with Confederate States rarities offered in the Siegel firm s April Confederate sale continuing with the United States, Hawaii, British and China collections offered in the May RARITIES OF THE WORLD and June sales and concluding in the fall with the collection of United States Carriers, Locals and Western Expresses, to be offered in its own special catalogue. The Hall collection is a legacy left by one of philately s major collecting families over two generations. The elder John H. Hall and his wife, Katherine, both collected as far back as the 1920 s. Their son, John H. Hall Jr., continued the tradition and served as chairman of The Philatelic Foundation. Mr. Hall s passing last year was memorialized in business and social circles, and the collections he cared for over many years will now be unveiled. Because of the significant value and content of the Carriers, Locals and Western Expresses, this preview brochure is dedicated to that portion of the Hall collection. The David Golden sale held last year by the Siegel firm established benchmark prices and heightened awareness of this fascinating collecting field. The forthcoming Hall dispersal again offers collectors the opportunity to acquire rare or unique items last seen in the market decades ago. It is hardly possible to overstate the extraordinary nature of the Hall collection. With the guidance of expert professionals Elliott Perry, George Sloane and Ezra Cole the Halls assembled their Carriers and Locals collection through acquisitions from the holdings of Arthur Hind, Laurence Mason, Senator Ackerman, Edward S. Knapp, Alfred H. Caspary and Josiah K. Lilly. Many items were acquired prior to World War II, and several outstanding items were purchased privately and have never entered the public sale record until now. In exhibit-style format, the pages of this preview present a cross-section of highlights from the Hall collection. The sale will include hundreds of items, comprising Carriers Stamps, Local Posts, Independent Mails, and Western Expresses, with special emphasis on the Pony Express. The sale catalogue to be published next fall in full-color soft and hardcover editions will join our firm s Golden catalogue to form the most comprehensive reference to Carriers and Locals. An order form will be found at the end of this preview, and we encourage advance orders to ensure availability. The names Ferrary, Caspary, Lichtenstein, Boker, Lilly, Middendorf and Golden are legendary among collectors of Carriers, Locals and Western Expresses. The treasure trove to be sold next fall will firmly establish the Hall name in the pantheon of great collectors. Please join us for this historic sale event.

6 Carriers Stamps The Hall Collection THE STAMPS ISSUED TO PAY THE ONE AND TWO-CENT fees charged by government-employed carriers were carefully and enthusiastically collected by the Halls. Today s collectors also recognize and appreciate the significance of the Franklin and Eagle Carrier stamps issued by the U.S. Post Office Department as part of the 1851 Issue and of the stamps issued by carrier departments of post offices in major cities. The carriers stamps are not private issues; they are government stamps in every respect, issued to facilitate prepayment of the carrier fee prior to legislation establishing free carrier service in The Franklin and Eagle Carrier stamps were engraved and printed in 1851 by Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co. under orders from the Post Office Department. Both the Franklin and Eagle Carriers were part of the 1851 Issue. Exactly 310,000 Franklin Carrier stamps were issued to post offices in New York City (250,000), New Orleans (50,000) and Philadelphia (10,000). Because of differences in the fee structure for carrier service in these cities, the Franklin Carrier was used more extensively in Philadelphia and New Orleans. The short life of the Franklin Carrier is the principal reason for its great rarity. By the time supplies were sent out on October 11, 1851, the Eagle Carrier had already been approved as a replacement for the Franklin, which postal officials realized was too similar to the regular 1c 1851 Issue. The Eagle Carrier was issued on November 17, The Hall collection contains a variety of examples of the Franklin and Eagle Carriers, including a superb Franklin stamp cancelled by the red New York dateless circle and an equally choice stamp cancelled by the distinctive red star of Philadelphia, paying the carrier fee on a locally-addressed letter. The Eagle Carrier is represented by numerous examples on and off cover with a variety of cancellations. The most spectacular Eagle item is a cover addressed to Oldenburg, Germany, with the Eagle Carrier used in combination with the 5c and 10c 1857 Issue, all neatly tied by the Cincinnati post office s blue circular datestamp and grid. Shown above: The 1851 Franklin Carrier inscribed Carriers Stamp with an unstated value of one cent (Scott LO1), cancelled by the red New York circle. Ex de Coppet, Duveen and Hind.

7 Carriers Stamps Franklin Carrier (Scott LO1) cancelled by the Philadelphia red star on a folded letter. Stamp has blank triangle at upper right and double transfer in Stamp. Ex Mason. Eagle Carrier (Scott LO2) used with 5c and 10c 1857 on cover from Cincinnati to Germany. Ex Armitage and Lapham.

8 Carriers Stamps THE FIRST STAMPS ISSUED UNDER U.S. GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY WERE the United States City Despatch Post carrier stamps issued in They preceded the first postmaster provisional by three years and the first general issue by five years. The Hall collection contains several of the most important pieces of this historic issue, including the largest recorded multiple an original-gum block of twelve of the 3c Black on Blue, ex Caspary and Lilly and one of the covers bearing five stamps to prepay the carrier fee and regular postage, a remarkable precedent for the 1845 reforms that made the use of postage stamps practical in the United States. The 1842 City Despatch Post stamp issued by Greig s private post, used on a letter in November 1842, after the U.S. post office acquired the firm and established it as a government carrier department of the New York City post office (Scott 6LB1).

9 Carriers Stamps 3c Black on Blue (Scott 6LB5) the largest recorded multiple of any U.S. City Despatch Post stamp. Ex Caspary and Lilly. One of the covers addressed to Henry Morris in Philadelphia with a strip of four and single (Scott 6LB5) prepaying the carrier fee and regular postage in June Ex Caspary.

10 Carriers Stamps THE CHARLESTON CARRIERS STAMPS CHALLENGE COLLECTORS WITH a wide range of issues and typographic varieties. The influence of Elliott Perry s fascination with the Charleston carriers can be felt in the Hall collection, where many outstanding items from the Hind, Ackerman and Mason collections are found. Multiples, extraordinary combinations and spelling errors such as the Honour s Ccnts error shown below will be made available to collectors for the first time in decades. Detail of stamp shown enlarged The Honour s City Post Ccnts error on cover (unlisted variety of Scott 4LB7). Ex Chapman and Hind. Shown opposite: Kingman s three-line stamp (Scott 4LB14) in a pair on Valentine cover.

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12 Carriers Stamps Pair of Kingman s four-line stamp (Scott 4LB15) the second largest multiple used on a Valentine. One of two recorded examples of Steinmeyer s first type (Scott 4LB18) unused, sound. Ex Caspary.

13 Carriers Stamps Bishop s City Post, Cleveland, (unstated value) Blue (Scott 10LB1), used with 3c 1851 Issue. Ex Schenck. The largest recorded multiple of any Philadelphia carrier stamp 1c Gold on Black (Scott 7LB11) block of 19 from the sheet of 25. Ex Caspary and Lilly.

14 Local Posts The Hall Collection THE BUSINESS OF CARRYING MAIL FLOURISHED FROM 1842 until the early 1860 s when the government legislated a complete monopoly over regular mail delivery. Under the broad heading Locals are many large and small firms that catered to the public s needs. Some carried mail in areas where postal service was limited or non-existent. Others were among dozens of firms in major cities, competing for a share of the market for letter and message delivery between local residents, carriage to and from the post office, and service in conjunction with inter-city mails. The stamps issued by private posts have been collected and studied since the 1860 s. They were extremely popular with the earliest stamp collectors, and since then have continued to attract the interest of collectors who desire truly rare stamps that have a story to tell. With the expert guidance of Elliott Perry, the Halls were among the select group of collectors who were active when major collections were dispersed between 1930 and Acquisitions from the holdings of Hind, Ackerman, Mason, Knapp, Caspary and Lilly form the basis of this extraordinary collection. Last year, at the time our firm prepared the David Golden sale catalogue, many recorded items were lost to modern philatelists. For decades these remarkable relics remained hidden from the public eye in the album pages of the Hall collection. With their dispersal, today s collectors will have the opportunity to study and acquire numerous pieces that represent key parts of the story of private posts in America. Shown above: Adams City Express Post 2c Black on Buff (Scott 2L2), used on a June 1852 folded letter to Germany.

15 Local Posts Robertson & Co. s Philadelphia Despatch Post, 3c Black (Scott 15L2). Blood s Despatch, Philadelphia, Red on Blue entire (Scott 15LU10) one of two recorded. Ex Mason, Ackerman and Brown.

16 Local Posts Brigg s Despatch, Philadelphia, 3c Gold on Yellow (Scott 25L4). Ex Gibson. California City Letter Express, San Francisco, 10c Blue (Scott 33L8). Ex Caspary.

17 Local Posts City Express Post, Philadelphia, (2c) Black on Pink (Scott 44L2). Ex Ferrary and Caspary. Clark & Hall, St. Louis, 1c Black on Pink (Scott 49L1). Ex Ferrary and Lilly.

18 Local Posts (Coles) Post Office City Despatch, New York N.Y., 2c Black on Buff (40L8). Ex Knapp (who acquired it from an original correspondence). Kidder s City Express Post, Brooklyn N.Y., 2c Black on Blue (93L1) the only recorded block. Ex Lilly.

19 Local Posts Mason s New Orleans City Express, 2c Black on Yellow (Scott 102L2). Ex Grant. New York City Express Post, 2c Orange (Scott 11L2), used to Liverpool, England.

20 Local Posts Pinckney s Express Post, New York N.Y., 2c Black on Green (Scott 115L1). Rogers Penny Post, Newark N.J., (1c) Black on Green (Scott 162L1) the only recorded example. Ex Burrus. Russell 8th Avenue Post Office, New York N.Y., (2c) Blue on Rose (Scott 130L1). Ex Grant and Knapp.

21 Local Posts Staten Island Express Post, Staten Island N.Y., the only recorded straightline. Staten Island Express Post, Staten Island N.Y., 6c Vermilion (Scott 133L2).

22 Local Posts Sullivan s Dispatch Post, Cincinnati, (2c) Green (Scott 135L3). One of two recorded. Ex Burrus. Whittelsey s Express, Chicago, 2c Red (Scott 146L1) the only recorded block.

23 Local Posts Telegraph Despatch P.O., Philadelphia, 1c Black (Scott 138L1). Ex Mason and Ackerman. Walton & Co. s City Express, Brooklyn N.Y., 2c Black on Pink (Scott 142L1).

24 Independent Mails The Hall Collection THE NAMES HARNDEN, WELLS, ADAMS, POMEROY, HALE and Spooner, among others less prominent, are forever linked with the American postal system. Although their efforts were curtailed by the government through rigorous enforcement of its postal monopoly, the Independents as they were called then and now inspired postal reforms by offering lower rates, providing more efficient service and introducing innovations such as the widespread used of stamps for prepayment. In 1844 and 1845 the Independent Mail firms issued colorful and attractively designed stamps for use on letters carried over their routes. These stamps, together with the related postal markings, were the subject of intense study and collecting by the Halls. The collection is one of the most comprehensive and significant of its kind ever offered at auction. Previewed here are just a few of the highlights. Shown above: Hale & Co. 5c Red with overprint (Scott 75L3) only recorded pair. Ex Lilly. Hale & Co. 5c Blue (Scott 75L5) complete pane of twenty. Ex Lilly.

25 Independent Mails Hale & Co., 5c Blue (Scott 75L1) on folded letter from Paris to New York via Boston. Hartford Mail Route, 5c Pink (Scott 80L3) and 5c Yellow (Scott 80L1).

26 Independent Mails Combination of Wells Letter Express 10c on Scarlet (Scott 96L4) and Pomeroy s Letter Express 5c on Yellow (117L1) with Boyd s Paid/J.T.B. for local delivery triple conjunctive usage. Pomeroy s Letter Express, 5c Black (Scott 117L4).

27 Independent Mails THE INDEPENDENT MAILS WERE FOLLOWED BY OTHER PRIVATE firms that offered inter-city service where government mails were inadequate or nonexistent. Berford & Company is one of the few that issued stamps. It served its patrons by carrying letters across the Isthmus of Panama, between New York City and California or points along the West Coast of South America and as far away as China (as advertised). Its stamps are of the greatest rarity. Berford & Co. s Express, 25c Red (Scott 11L4) one of two recorded. Ex Caspary and Lilly. Berford & Co. s Express, 10c Violet tête-bêche (Scott 11L3a) two pairs on cover. Ex Ackerman.

28 Western Expresses The Hall Collection FEW CHAPTERS IN AMERICAN HISTORY ARE AS ROMANTIC and exciting as the California Gold Rush. The Forty-Niners who arrived in California placed an overwhelming demand on the postal system to maintain lines between the mining towns and the East. The need for reliable mail service was met by the Western Expresses, a group of companies that provided the means for letter communication, as well as banking services, telegraph communication, and secure shipping of goods and valuables. Wells, Fargo & Company is probably the best known of all Western Expresses. It was the firm that emerged victorious from the competitive battlefield. Others, such as Adams, Freeman, Langton and Holladay, were eventually forced out of business or consolidated into Wells, Fargo. The Hall collection does not contain a broad range of expresses, but instead concentrates on Wells, Fargo and the Pony Express. Covers that have been off the market for 50 years or more will be featured in the sale. The Pony Express covers in the Hall collection are truly breathtaking. There is a superb strike of the St. Joseph Running Pony on a cover franked by Senator Milton Latham. The rare Carmine Pony of St. Joseph is represented on a very choice cover. One of three recorded 12c 1857 Pony Express covers is included, an acquisition from the Knapp sale. Finally, there are several covers with the celebrated Pony Express stamps issued by Wells, Fargo & Company, including one of the two recorded $4.00 Black Pony stamps known on cover. This segment of the Hall collection will be of great interest to collectors in and out of the Carriers and Locals field. Shown above: St. Joseph Running Pony handstamp on 1860 cover free-franked by Senator Milton Latham, sent from Washington D.C. to Sacramento.

29 Western Expresses The rare Carmine Pony handstamp of St. Joseph on the back of 1860 cover from California to Rhode Island.

30 Western Expresses One of three recorded Pony Express covers with the 12c 1857 Issue (Scott 36b). Ex Knapp (with sale label still affixed).

31 Western Expresses Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $2.00 Red (Scott 143L1). Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $1.00 Red (Scott 143L3).

32 The $4.00 Black Pony Cover Front of cover: $4.00 Black (Scott 143L5) paying quadruple rate; Wells, Fargo & Co. double-circle datestamp (Aug. 10, 1861); San Francisco Running Pony oval (Aug. 10, 1861); Green St. Joseph Mo. circular datestamp (Aug. 22, 1861); Endorsed U.S. Consulate, Honolulu, Hawaii at upper right.

33 Back of cover: Red seal of United States Consulate at Honolulu; Two strikes of McRuer & Merrill oval handstamp; Notation that the cover was purchased from H. P. Atherton in 1932.

34 Sale Catalogue The Hall Collection THE SALE CATALOGUE FOR THE HALL COLLECTION WILL be published in two editions hardcover Library and softcover Regular editions with approximately 250 pages, all items illustrated in color, extensive historical background notes and rarity census information. It is the perfect complement to the Siegel firm s sale catalogue of the David Golden collection. The clothbound Library Edition with dust jacket is priced at $150. The softcover Regular Edition is priced at $100. Both editions must be ordered before August 1 to ensure availability and to receive a 20% pre-publication discount. Catalogues will be mailed approximately four weeks prior to the Fall sale date, which will be announced during the summer. The price of each edition includes the post-sale realization report and domestic postage. New York residents must add appropriate sales tax. Foreign orders must add $30 for shipping. The Hall Collection Carriers and Locals Western Expresses

35 Order Form The Hall Collection Billing Address: Name... Address... The Hall Collection Carriers and Locals Western Expresses City/State/Zip... Country (other than USA)... Phone... Fax Shipping Address (if different from above): Name... Hardbound Library Edition Dust jacket and P/R $150 $ Address... City/State/Zip... Country (other than USA)... Softcover Regular Edition With P/R $100 $ Charge Cards Please charge the total due, including applicable sales tax and foreign shipping charge, to my account (CIRCLE ONE): Card Number... Expiration Date... Signature... Today s Date... Domestic postage is included. A $30 surcharge for foreign addresses must be added to the price. Sub-Total: $ If ordered before August 1, 2000 deduct 20%: $ Sales Tax: NYC Res. add 8.25% Other NYS Residents: County Rate % $ If shipped to foreign address please add $30 $ TOTAL DUE: $ Please make checks payable to Siegel Auction Galleries. FOREIGN CHECKS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Checks payable to Siegel Auction Galleries should be mailed with order form to: Siegel Auction Galleries, 65 E. 55th St., 17th Floor, New York, NY Credit and charge card orders may be faxed toll-free Calls from 212 area code and outside U.S., please use fax Orders may also be sent by , using our secure web site:

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