1c-$2.00 Trans-Mississippi
(285-293). The complete set of nine values, $1.00 well-centered, $2.00
centered to top, all have slight creasing or small fault, lightly cancelled
and tied by New York Station P oval cancels, purple "Registered, Oct. 7,
1898, Branch P.O. Station P, New York P.O." boxed datestamp on large blue
cover with printed addess to The Bank of British North America, London,
England, sender's ship designation "Per S.S. Etruria", red and
black London receiving datestamps (Oct. 15 and 17), transit and receiving
backstamps, red wax seals, left side of cover has been refolded underneath
to reduce size for exhibit page, some mounting glue stains on
backFINE-VERY FINE CENTERING AND OVERALL IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. ONE OF THREE RECORDED COVERS BEARING A COMPLETE SET OF THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE. A SPECTACULAR EXHIBITION ITEM AND ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT UNITED STATES COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE COVERS EXTANT.
Although it has been reported that four covers exist with all nine values of the Trans-Mississippi Issue, we have been able to locate no more than three covers. The Neil-Rosenthal book, The Trans-Mississippi Issue of 1898, states more than once that four covers are known, but the census on page 167 lists this October 7 cover to London twice among the four entries. While it is possible that a fourth cover exists, we do not have any record of it. The three we record are 1) Oct. 4, 1898, Exposition Sta. Omaha Neb. datestamp, to St. Johns, Newfoundland, ex Saffin, Christie's Sep. 1982, 2) Oct. 7, 1898, New York Sta. P to London, England, the cover offered here, ex McCoy, and 3) Date unknown, New York Madison Square Branch to Munich, Germany, G. B. Calman corner card, ex Rosenthal.
Illustrated in The United States Specialist, October 1972. Ex Ethel B. McCoy. With 1986 P.F. certificate (Image)
1c-10c Trans-Mississippi
(285-290). All values to 10c tied by Boston ovals on legal-size
registered cover to London, England, purple "Registered, Boston,
Mass. Jun. 24, 1898" framed registry datestamp, Boston registry label, red
and black London receiving datestamps and blue crayon registry mark, Very
Fine, a beautiful and colorful Trans-Mississippi cover
(Image) 
1c, 4c, 10c Trans-Mississippi
(285, 287, 290). Tied by "Philadelphia Pa. Oct. 11 5 PM 1898" duplex
datestamp and oval grid on legal-size blue cover to Honiton,
England, Girard Life Insurance Co. corner card, receiving backstamp,
vertical fold away from stamps, Very Fine
(Image) 
1c Trans-Mississippi
(285). Two, tied by bold "Arroyo Station, Porto Rico, Mar. 28,
1899" duplex datestamp and grid on cover to Ponce, receiving
backstamps, repaired opening faults at top, Fine appearance, very rare (Image) 
4c Trans-Mississippi
(287). Used with 1c Columbian, 4c Pan-American and 3c Louisiana
Purchase, tied by Philadelphia ovals on 3c Green Centennial entire to local
addressee, Sep. 2, 1904 duplex also tied 3c stamp, few toned perfs, Very
Fine, a colorful philatelic creation (Image) 
1c, 5c, 8c Trans-Mississippi
(285, 288, 289). Tied by Chicago Ill. ovals, purple "Registered, Jul.
15, 1899, Chicago, Ill." datestamp on 4c registered entire to Nuremberg,
Germany, New York registry label, transit and receiving backstamps,
small stains spots on stamps, otherwise Very Fine
(Image) 
1c-4c, 8c, 50c Trans
Mississippi (285-287, 289, 291). Five different values tied by
Baltimore Md. registry ovals, purple "Baltimore Md. Reg. Div. Aug. 26,
1898" double-circle datestamp on registered corner card cover to
Basel, Switzerland, New York registry label, transit and receiving
backstamps, 8c few blunted perfsVERY FINE. A COLORFUL AND EXCEEDINGLY RARE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI FRANKING. ONE OF THE FINEST 50-CENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI COVERS EXTANT.
With 1989 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail for 50c alone on cover is $1,750.00 (Image)