Summer 2025 | July 18-20, 2025

Blue oval handstamp “CROSBY’S SPECIAL MESSAGE POST / 19 WILLIAM ST. / N.Y.” on cover addressed locally to Edward Stephenson Esq., 49 South St., City. Minor tears at top of cover, otherwise very fine.

Lyon records only 7 stamped Crosby covers, 6 with the Underhill & Co. Corner advertisements.
The stamp with large to huge margins incl. sheet margin at bottom, with a scuff at the bottom left of the bottom margin. Used on a window ventilator manufacturer's illustrated advertising cover to local street address.

Illustrated on page 52 of The American Local and Carriers' Stamps - LXXI, by Donald Patton. Also included as Figure 1 in Lyon's Article, "Crosby's City Post A Used Pair" and Cover #1 in the Census

Stamp with large margins, tied by "Crosby's City Post, New York, 19 William St." double oval handstamp.

Small thins and light cracks in the glaze.

Figure 5, in Lyon's Article, "The City Despatch Post 1842 - 1852 Some New Perspectives"
Folded letter locally addressed in New York City, with red "P.O. City Despatch Post Mar. 25, 4 O'Clock" circular datestamp clearly struck at far right. The stamp, tied by black framed “FREE”, has large margins to just touched and shows surface rubbing, but overall a very fine example of this scarce usage.
One of only two recorded covers showing use of a Cummings' City Post adhesive in conjunction with the Post Office City Despatch markings, documenting the transition from Abraham Mead to Cummings & Wright.
The dated postmark (March 25, 1847) proves that Cummings & Wright had assumed operation of the post by that time, following Mead’s brief tenure after purchasing it from the New York carrier department on November 30, 1846.

Only One other Known Cover. This is seldom offered, with the last sale 25 Years ago.

Cutting's Despatch Post, Buffalo N.Y., 2c Black on Vermilion Glazed (56L1). Poor impression, large margins to clear at bottom, uncancelled, thinned, Fine appearance -- this is the mysterious second example of the Cutting's Despatch stamp, which is illustrated in Sloane's records and was mentioned in our description of the unique cover in the Golden sale (lot 1015) -- it was acquired from Charles J. Phillips in 1926 and has some details that match the on-cover example; however, we offer this stamp "as is"

No Gum, Thinned.

1879 locally mailed cover with "Mar. 10/City Delivery/New York", manuscript "In haste". The #157 with a straight edge at right is original to this cover.

The cover reduced at left and with creases and stains. The stamp with one pulled perf at bottom.

Light corner crease at bottom right.

Small surface scuff and wrinkles.
SCV $1,500 on cover tied by handstamp.

Striking red circular "SPEC'L MESS'GR / FROM / Eagle Post / 80 Chestnut St. / 5" handstamp (Type 8) on folded letter addressed to 335 Spruce St., Philadelphia, Pa.

The cover addressed to David S. Brown, for local delivery in Philadelphia. There exist several, similarly addressed local usages known from the same correspondence.

With hinge remnant.

The label reads, "This Communication was served with speed by the “Eagle City Post,” at Adams’ Express and the Telegraph offices. Letters, Circulars, &c., distributed promptly. A special messenger always ready. Your patronage is solicited, STAIT & CO." With paper adherence at back, creases and toning.

Sound

Sound

Original gum. Previously hinged with diagonal crease and small surface scuff at top left.

Tiny corner tear at top right.

Included as One of Only 13 Covers, in the Blue 68L1 adhesives on Letters Taken to the Mails Census
Floyd’s Penny Post 1c Blue (68L1) with margins close to just in at right, tied by blue circular "Floyd’s Penny Post, Chicago" handstamp on cover to St. Louis, Mo., in combination with 1861 3c Rose (65) tied by blue Chicago duplex. Manuscript notation at top reads: “Keep this envelope. Find out what Penny Post means.”