Sale 3039: The "ERIVAN" Collection of United and Confederate States Postal History Part IV

138L1, Telegraph Despatch P.O., Philadelphia, 1848 1c Black on yellowish, ample to large margins, cancelled by manuscript "X" to a folded letter addressed to "Rev. U. Ward, Missouri Av. near 4½ st, Washington D.C.," indistinct March or May 9 blue Philadelphia cds, light even soiling, still Very Fine, only three covers were recorded by Steven M. Roth in his 1993 census (Penny Post Vol. 3, No. 4), a fourth cover has since surfaced, an extremely rare example of this mysterious and presumably short-lived post, not offered publicly in many decades (Scott $5,500 for the stamp on cover not tied, with certificate)rnProvenance: Henry C. Gibson (Private transaction)Carriers & Locals