Part III - Locals H-Z continued...
SPECIAL NOTE: Lot Numbers with an "A" preceding them will be offered in three special sessions. Please refer to the Arrangement of the Sale web page for the schedule.
| Lot | Lot Description | ||
| A | 1601 |
 Whittelsey's Express, Chicago
Ill., 2c Red (146L1). Unused (no gum), close margins touching in
places, rich color, thinsFINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE AND DISTINCTIVE LOCAL STAMP ISSUED BY WHITTELSEY'S EXPRESS IN CHICAGO IN 1857. According to Henry E. Abt's series on Chicago local posts (American Philatelist, Aug. 1957), Whittelsey & Co. started its express in late 1857. The 1857-58 Cooke's directory lists Whittelsey & Co. at 194 Lake Street, but the following year the firm does not appear -- it evidently folded, and the Whittelseys moved West. The proprietors are identified as Edmund A. and Samuel M. Whittelsey, who were first cousins, according to Dr. D. E. F. Easton (Scott's Monthly Journal, May 1956). Dr. Easton married a relative of Samuel Whittelsey and together they made the extraordinary discovery of the block of eleven (plus a detached single). The stamps were inside an old family stamp album stored in a box of personal effects for nearly four decades. Apart from this block, only a few unused singles are known, as well as four used examples. No covers are known. Ex Abt. (Image) |
E. 1,000-1,500 |
| A | 1602 |
 Whittelsey's Express, Chicago
Ill., 2c Red (146L1). Large to huge margins, this position shows break
in cliche at upper right, intense shade and impression, neatly cancelled by
blue "Whittelsey's Letter Express" ovalEXTREMELY FINE GEM. UNQUESTIONABLY THE FINEST OF THE FOUR RECORDED USED EXAMPLES. ASTOUNDING CONDITION FOR ANY LOCAL POST STAMP, BUT ESPECIALLY SO FOR THIS EXTREME RARITY. #In addition to the three used 146L1 stamps offered in this sale, we know of one stamp cancelled by a Chicago datestamp in black. No other used examples are known to us, and this sound stamp is the finest of the group. (Image) |
E. 5,000-7,500 |
| A | 1603 |
 Whittelsey's Express, Chicago
Ill., 2c Red (146L1). Large to huge margins, intense shade and
impression, blue "Whittelsey's Letter Express" oval handstamp, couple minor
thinsEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF FOUR RECORDED USED EXAMPLES OF THIS BEAUTIFUL CHICAGO LOCAL POST STAMP. Ex Caspary, Boker and Richardson. (Image) |
E. 3,000-4,000 |
| A | 1604 |
 Whittelsey's Express, Chicago
Ill., 2c Red (146L1). Ample to large margins, tied by very distinct
blue "Whittelsey's Letter Express" oval on small piece, trivial small tear
at upper leftVERY FINE DESPITE NEGLIGIBLE TEAR. ONE OF FOUR RECORDED USED EXAMPLES OF WHITTELSEY & CO.'S 2-CENT STAMP. Ex Hennan. (Image) |
E. 2,000-3,000 |