Tellico Plains Tenn.,
5c-5c-10c Red, Se-Tenant Sheet of Three (81X1-81X2). Unused (no gum),
full to large margins, bright and freshEXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE TWO FINEST OF THE SIX RECORDED SE-TENANT SHEETS OF THE TELLICO PLAINS POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL IN PRIVATE HANDS.
The Rheatown and Tellico Plains provisionals were printed by the same printer, using a typeset form of three subjects. For the Tellico Plains provisional, which probably followed the Rheatown, the post office and postmaster's names were changed, and the third subject at right was reset with a 10c denomination. Only two used examples are recorded, both December 1861 dates -- the only known cover is offered in lot 149.
Our records contain eight se-tenant sheets, including two in the British Library's Tapling collection. Of the six available to collectors, this sheet and the ex-Hind/Brooks sheet are completely sound with full margins. One of the six is repaired, and the remaining three have small faults.
"W.H.C." Colson backstamps. Ex Ferrary. (Image)
Tellico Plains Tenn., 5c Red
(81X1). Clear to large margins except at upper right where just
touching frameline, tied by customary "Decr 10/61" manuscript
postmark on orange-buff cover addressed to William G. McAdoo, Clerk of
Confederate Court, Knoxville Tenn., flap partly removed and trimmed along
top edge of cover, couple bleached specks and light vertical fold, fresh
and attractive VERY FINE STAMP AND THE ONLY RECORDED COVER WITH THE TELLICO PLAINS PROVISIONAL
One other used Tellico Plains provisional, also a 5c, is recorded and illustrated in the Crown book (p. 337). It, too, bears a manuscript cancel, dated December 12th. In our opinion the cancel and address are from the same hand and pen, the court address indicates possible official usage of the adhesive.
Ex Ferrary, Hind, Emerson, Brooks and Everett (our Sale 754, where it realized $30,000 hammer) (Image)