American Letter Mail Co., (5c)
Black on Gray (5L2). Large margins all around except small nick clear
at bottom, ms. "X" cancel, red "Forwarded by American Mail Co. Nov. 8 from
No. 101 Chestnut St. Philada." circular datestamp on 1844 folded letter to
New York, ms. "Single Pd.", file fold with small split, Very Fine,
very scarce use from Philadelphia office
(Image)
Hale & Co., (6c) Red, Ms. "23
State" Overprint (75L2 var). Position 2, octagonal design cut to shape,
tiny tear, tied by ms. cross strokes (in style of the precancel that
was applied with ruler) on bluish folded cover to Boston, docketing on flap
dated Mar. 26, 1845, with pencil notation that the origin was Worcester,
ms. "Late for Tuesday", small cover tear at top centerVERY FINE. THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE HALE & CO. RED STAMP WITH MANUSCRIPT OVERPRINT SHOWING CHANGE OF ADDRESS. A SIGNIFICANT INDEPENDENT MAILS RARITY.
Accompanied by copy of Robson Lowe letter authenticating the cover and commenting on its rarity. The handstamped "City Despatch Office, 23 State St." overprint is listed in Scott as 75L3 (Red stamp) and 75L4 (Blue stamp), and the manuscript "23 State St." on Blue stamp with blank address is listed as a variety of 75L5. This manuscript overprint on the scarcer Red stamp is currently not listed, although that is likely to change when attention is drawn to this cover. With 1973 P.F. certificate (Image)
Hale & Co., (6c) Blue, Without
Street Address (75L5). Two cut-to-shape stamps with different styles of
magenta pen "NB" New Bedford pre-cancel, used on
separate 1844 folded letters, one cancelled by red "Paid" struck twice,
matching "Forwarded by Hale & Co. from New Bedford" oval (letter dated Aug.
20), other cancelled by red boxed Collect handstamp, black "Forwarded by
Hale & Co. from New Bedford" oval (letter dated Jul. 12), both stamps tied
by file creases, fresh and Very Fine, the Hale & Co. stamps with New
Bedford precancels are extremely rare -- a marvelous pair (Image)
Hartford Mail Route, (5c) Black
on Yellow Glazed (80L1). Ample margins to slightly in, ms.
"South" cancel, used on folded cover addressed in blue to New York
City, red "Hale & Co.'s Worcester Mail" oval handstamp, matching
"Collect Six Cents for Hale & Co." framed handstamp, receipt docketing
dated Jun. 17, 1845, the last month of independent mails before ban on July
1, file foldEXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE FEW KNOWN EXAMPLES OF THE HARTFORD MAIL ROUTE STAMP USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH HALE OR ADAMS MARKINGS. IN MANY RESPECTS THE MOST ATTRACTIVE OF ALL HARTFORD MAIL ROUTE COVERS.
Although our records of Hartford Mail Route covers are somewhat incomplete, sources consulted reveal only four covers showing the Hartford Mail Route stamp used in conjunction with independent mail service provided by Hale or Adams. According to an article by Francis E. Stern (Collectors Club Philatelist, Vol. 41, No. 3, pp. 109-117), the Hartford Mail Route was operated by two principals, Parsons and Fuller. Parsons also served as superintendent of the Adams Express, and Fuller was the terminal agent for Thompson & Co. express. The Hartford Mail Route linked with Hale and Adams, evidenced by examples showing conjunctive use on mail between cities via Hartford. The manuscript markings on stamps coincide with the direction from Hartford, in this case, "South" to New York City.
With 1976 P.F. certificate (Image)