A Few of My Favorite Things

AS I WATCHED MY ELEVEN-YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND HER classmates sing the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein tribute to the simple things in life, my thoughts returned to the day’s work finishing the catalogue for Part Two of this year’s Rarities sale.

And I smiled.

The decision to create a second Rarities catalogue devoted to Carriers and Locals, Independent Mails, Western Expresses and Confederate States is truly an act of selfish indulgence. Indeed, the stamps and covers in this sale are a few of “my favorite things,” and I want to sing about them.

For weeks I have been immersed in study to prepare the descriptions in this catalogue. I deliberately use the word “prepare”, because it frequently takes an hour or more of research to write a few short sentences. Meaningful descriptions are the result of combing through old auction catalogues, obtaining data from maps, reference books and the internet, and resolving conflicting information.

After spending so much time learning about the material in this catalogue, I have developed an even greater fascination with and appreciation of the individuals, the companies, the routes and the historical circumstances responsible for creating these stamps and covers.

Carriers, Locals and Independent Mails are truly representative of the entrepreneurial spirit of 19th Century Americans. Many of these posts were fleeting attempts by small-time operators to capture business during one or two Valentine seasons. Others were highly-organized, effective and long-running businesses that actually challenged the government’s claim to a monopoly over the mails.

Western Expresses convey the same American entrepreneurship while capturing the excitement, ruggedness, fortunes and perils of the Western frontier. This area of postal history is a tremendous opportunity for collectors. As I was putting estimates on lots, it occurred to me that a fascinating Western Express cover, of which there might be three or four known, could be bought for $1,000, while the same money cannot secure a decent set of Zeppelins or a choice 10c 1847 cover, of which there are thousands.

Finally, we have the Confederate States and, in particular, the Postmasters’ Provisionals. These artifacts of a divided nation tell us a great deal about the people who produced them. From big cities to tiny railroad towns, the need for mail service and the desire to prepay postage were the same. Some of the Confederate stamps offered in this sale are rarer than a Hawaiian 2c Missionary, but I am quite sure they can be acquired for a significantly smaller investment.

Yes, these are a few of my favorite things.

                                                                                                —SCOTT R. TREPEL

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