Start of the sale:
Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Item n°1863308898
Sale ends:
Monday, September 18, 2023 at 1:16 PM
Lot:
#149
Catalog:
Estimated price:
between $15.00 and $20.00
Used to Java: 1938,The $5 Presidential Issue, Coolidge Carmen black tied by WASHINGTON, D.C. NOV. 17 1938 duplex on envelope addressed to Mr. Robert L. Jones, c/o Mr Oei Tjong Ik, 40 Randoesarie, Semarang, Java, N.E.I., bearing typewritten Registered and Via Trans-Pacific Air Mail (CHINA CLIPPER) both underlined in red, magenta REGISTERED handstamp, blue label Par Avion By Air Mail FORM 2978 in three lines, top half of two Post Office Department official seals at bottom overlapping on reverse each, tied by magenta PHILADELPHIA (PA) REGISTERED JAN 27 1939 handstamp and containing pencil manuscript AS for initials of clerk placing the official seals on the envelope, handwritten red “retour expedition…” with two additional words partly overlapped by official seal stamp, double circle Semarang 23.12.38. 17. receiving handstamp, ON REVERSE two magenta double circle WASHINGTON, D.C. REGISTERED NOV 17 1938 handstamps, SAN FRANCISCO CALIF. REG. SEC. NOV 19, 1938 handstamp, partially clear REGSISTERED 3 DEC 38 HONG KONG transits double circle SEMARANG 23.12.38 10 receiving handstamp, two double oval NEW YORK, N.Y. REG. DIV. 1-26 1939 handstamps, three magenta PHILADELPHIA, PA. REGISTERED JAN 27 1938 handstamps, magenta partially clear PHILADELPHIA, PA. (…) (… DESK) JAN 27 1938 handstamp, JAN 29 REC’D handstamp, partially clear printed address on cover flap reading … MILO BAR BELL SYSTEM, BOX 8277, N. PHILA. P.O. (Scott 834, OX21 ) Est. Cash Val. $15,000 - 20,000
The envelope was sent to Java, the addressee could not be located and the envelope was returned to the sender two months later. While it is hard to determine when the envelope was damaged during transit and needed the official seals, the seals appear to have been added in Philadelphia on January 27, 1939 based on the seals covering the oval New York January 26 handstamps but clearly being tied by the Philadelphia January 27, 1939 handstamps. The damage to the envelope is a strong indication that the envelope had enclosures of some weight. The weight of the envelope was likely between 3 - 3½ ounces paying 7- times the 70¢ rate per ounce Trans-Pacific air mail rate (FAM to Hong King and beyond by air) with the 15¢ registry fee resulting in a 5-cent overpayment.
This is the only recorded commercial usage of a single $5 Presidential used on an envelope to a foreign country that we have seen. Obviously a significant part of United States 20th Century Postal History
Cover
See more
Discover the collectors' agenda!
Discover the agenda
