Summer 2025 | July 18-20, 2025

Docketed DEC. 17 1849. The stamp with a long tear at left.

Letter docketed May 7, 1850, with black "G. CARTER'S/90 N. FIFTH ST/2 Cts./DESPATCH" handstamp at top left. This marking substitutes “2 Cts.” in lieu of “Paid”, and is the last reported use of the handstamp. Addressed to Chas. Schrack, Varnish Store, 4 S. below Race St., Philadelphia.

Addressed to J. E. Richardson, No. 9 Church Alley, Phila., with no contents or date.

Addressed to Rev. Ward, a known correspondence which includes copies on bluish paper. Dated June 15 (1850). Philadelphia 5cts blue circular datestamp (Clarke 73a). The stamp shows a deliberate obliteration of the word "DESPATCH" The pen strike tears a hole in the stamp, the cover with light stains.

July 15, 1849 folded letter addressed to Charles Lippincott in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Stamp tied by pen cancel, with large blue "Philadelphia, Pa. Jul. 15" (Clarke 74a) datestamp.

July 6, 1850 folded letter addressed to Philip Ripley in Hartford with blue "Philadelphia 5 cts." circular datestamp.

The stamp shows a deliberate scratching out of the word "DESPATCH," an alteration Sloane believed may have been intentional, though he gave no reason for its purpose. This variety is confirmed on at least four other examples.

From Troy, NY, May 27, 1842 the letter was privately carried to Howard's Hotel, and then given to Greig's City Despatch Post for local delivery. The hotel was a station of the government carrier service, who applied the red 'U.S. City Despatch Post May 28 ,9 o'cIock" datestamp,

Thin at lower bottom margin.

Stamp with vertical crease at top and two tiny punctures at bottom left. SCV $750 on Cover

The stamp with large to huge margins, and cover struck with red "P.O. City Despatch Post, Dec. 9, 4 O'Clock" and 1846 docketing on reverse. The cover with small closed tears and a light vertical file fold.

The earliest recorded use of the 40L2 stamp is December 8, 1846, with this cover being dated just one day later. This is the second earliest recorded usage.

Three corner creases and a vertical crease

The stamp with stains, enamel wear and a light diagonal crease.

Folded letter datelined "New York Oct the 16, 1847" addressed to North Castle, NY. Single local, pen cancel, with strike of red integral rate New York postmark.

The stamp cancelled by three bars on small cover with red "New-York 20 Feb. 5 cts" integral-rate circular datestamp. Blue "Edouard Bossange/New-York" forwarder's backstamp. The stamp with a light horizontal crease and some light enamel wear.

Toned

The stamp with large margins cancelled by manuscript "X", addressed to Peekskill, NY with red "New York 5cts. 25 Jan." integral rate circular datestamp struck over "New-York Jan. 25" circular datestamp without rate on 1849 folded letter.
The stamp with a facial ding in left margin and slightly oxidized, and the cover with toning along horizontal file fold.

Approximately 15 examples are known, either on or off cover.
Locally addressed folded letter with genuine "P.O. City Despatch Post Jan 6, 1 O'Clock" circular datestamp with matching straightline "Paid" handstamp. The datestamp with time slug suggests operation by Mead or Cummings & Wright. The stamp has been repaired with long vertical tear and other tears, previously tied by a fake four-bar grid cancel, now removed.

One of Only Seven Genuine Off-Cover Examples. Identified as #6 in Alexander's Census
Canceled by blue manuscript pen squiggle, with faint horizontal crease at top and tiny pinhole. Three margins adjoining stamp margin at bottom.

Only 6 Others Recorded in Roth's Census of Type III Handstamps
"City Dispatch. Prompt Delivery. Jul. 14 11[AM]" Type III handstamp, addressed to Josiah Martin at 1343 North 2nd St.

Manuscript "FEB 1857"

"COMMERCIAL DISPATCH AND ADDRESSING CO. 162 WILLIAM ST." handstamp on locally used cover. Manuscript "personal"

Unused, No Gum

Unused, Original Gum, Never Hinged.