The "Erivan" Collection of United and Confederate States Part V

4LB17, Beckman’s City Post, Charleston, SC, 2c Black, single with wonderful margins, used alongside US 1857 3c Dull red (26), both stamps tied by perfect strike of “Charleston S.C. Jun 18 1860” cds, Beckman’s stamp additionally lightly tied by pencil, on cover addressed to Brunswick, Georgia, small piece of backflap out, Extremely Fine and unique on- or off-cover, we are reticent to speak in superlatives but we feel confident in quoting Herbert J. Bloch when he wrote in the 1957 Caspary catalogue: “In marvelous condition and generally considered the most outstanding carrier cover in existence,” quite simply one of the gems of American philately which has been off the market for 64 years (Scott listed but unpriced)

In the 1957 H.R. Harmer Caspary sale of Carriers and Locals, this cover realized an astounding $11,000. The next highest realization, for the October 19, 1861 Crouise “Garter” Pony Express cover, was half the Beckman’s hammer price ($5,500). In terms of covers bearing unique examples of postage stamps used in the United States, it is in an elite class alongside the Alexandria “Blue Boy,” the Lockport and Boscawen provisionals, and very few others. The combination of uniqueness and beauty makes this a singularly desirable and impressive cover.

Provenance: Count Philipp von Ferrary (Gilbert Sale 7, 1924)

Alfred H. Caspary (H.R. Harmer Sale 1072, 1957)

John R. Boker, Jr. (Private Transaction)

United States Carriers and Locals