VERY FINE. ONE OF FOUR RECORDED COVERS BEARING THE ONE-CENT CHICAGO PERFORATION, OF WHICH THIS IS THE ONLY ONE TO CANADA. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE ONE-CENT 1851-57 ISSUE.
The origin of the Chicago perforation was revealed in an article published by Jerome S. Wagshal in the Chronicle 130 (May 1986). To briefly summarize Mr. Wagshal's revelations, the inventor of the machine used to create the Chicago Perf stamps was Dr. Elijah W. Hadley, a Chicago dentist. He probably constructed the machine in 1854. Over a two-year period, beginning in November 1854, Dr. Hadley's device was offered for sale to the Post Office Department thru R. K. Swift, a prominent Chicago banker and businessman. The distinctive 12-1/2 gauge Chicago Perf was applied to sheets of the 1c (Plates 1 Late and 2) and 3c 1851 Issue, the former being considerably rarer.
According to the updated census of Chicago Perf items compiled by W. Wilson Hulme II (Chronicle 175, Aug. 1997), approximately 18 examples of the 1c Chicago Perf have been recorded, including four used on covers. These are: 1) Type II, Plate 2 (not plated), tied by Chicago May 29, 1856 datestamp on P. L. Wells May 28, 1856 circular to Armitage, Siegel Sale 869, lot 3023 (realized $26,000 hammer), 2) Type II, Position 71R2, "Paid" cancel (no dated postmark), on P. L. Wells May 28, 1856 circular to Edmonstone & Co., Montreal, Canada, PFC, ex Ishikawa, Siegel 1983 Rarities sale, lot 32 (realized $6,250 hammer), 3) Type II, Position 95L2, tied by grid cancel on P. L. Wells circular to Sheppard & Morgan, NYC, ex Jefferys, currently in the Franklin Institute, and 4) Type II, Position 48R2, "Paid" cancel on Lake View Water Cure circular (no date), Ashbrook Vol. II, p. 26, the current whereabouts or state of this cover are unknown. Summarizing the census data, there are currently four 1c Chicago Perf covers accepted as genuine (excluding one with a negative P.F. certificate, which we believe is genuine), all Type II from Plate 2, one of which is part of the Franklin Institute's collection. Of the three in private hands, one has not been seen and is known only from Ashbrook's description. Therefore, only two confirmed covers are in private hands, both of which are May 28, 1856 printed circulars.
Ex Ishikawa. With 1982 P.F. certificate. Scott retail $30,000.00 on cover
3c Dull Red, Chicago Perf
12-1/2 (11 var). Position 88R3 (plated by Richard Celler), choice
centering, rich color, slightly rounded corner perf at top left, tied by
bold "Chicago Ill. Mar. 10, 1857" circular datestamp on brown cover to
Philadelphia with Sherman House blue ornately framed cameo corner
cardEXTREMELY FINE. WITHOUT QUESTION ONE OF THE FINEST "CHICAGO PERF" COVERS EXTANT AND ONE OF THE FEW WITH CAMEO CORNER CARD. A MAGNIFICENT ARTIFACT FROM THE EARLY PERIOD OF PERFORATED UNITED STATES POSTAGE STAMPS.
Observing the Chicago Perf covers mailed by business firms, W. Wilson Hulme II observed "[it is likely] these businesses used the stamps because Swift actively distributed them... When the businesses are plotted on a 1856-era map, a pattern emerges. Most of these businesses were in a straight path between Swift's bank and Hadley's office. One business, E. S. Wells, shoe manufacturing and sales, was downstairs in the same building as Swift." (Chronicle 175, p. 167). Swift was a promoter of the Chicago Perfs, and Hadley was the inventor who designed the machine.
With 1981 P.F. certificate (Image)
3c Dull Red, Chicago Perf
12-1/2 (11 var). Deep rich color, intact perfs all around, tied by
perfect bold strike of "Chicago Ill. Sep. 12, 1856" circular datestamp on
lady's small cover to Canesville Ill.EXTREMELY FINE AND PRISTINE COVER BEARING THE 3-CENT 1851 ISSUE WITH CHICAGO PERFORATIONS. ONE OF THE FEW KNOWN COMPLETELY SOUND EXAMPLES.
With 1986 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail $9,000.00. (Image)