Americana Stamps

Lot #: 2030

Earliest and Only Known F-31 Forwarding Handstamp

This is the only known example of the F-31 forwarding handstamp. Illustrated in Gutman's exhibit and as Figure 7-235 in Gutman's book. New York City, New York to Boston, Massachusetts, dated January 10, 1844. This letter bears the only known strike of the F-31 forwarding handstamp. It is similar to the NY-D foreign letter office Hale handstamp without the word "Foreign". It is different from F-30 as the first and third line of print are slanted to the right. The letter also bears a manuscript "12 ½" indicating that the letter was double weight. This letter is also the earliest known Hale letter originating in New York City.
Opening: $150
Category: Independent Mail
Provenance: Ex Hall, Gutman