A Savanna, Georgia handstamped cover has exceeded all expectations in a New York philatelic auction held on October 11-14.
Estimated at just $5,000-7,500, the cover was expected to sell at the lower end of the auction, but achieved the highest bids seen in the four day sale, selling for $52,500. The price represents an impressive 600% increase on estimate.
 The Bishop mark is named after the first English postmaster, Henry Bishop |
The cover boasted an excellent straight-line "SAVANNA" handstamp with a matching "AP 25" Bishop mark - a hand struck stamp named after Henry Bishop, the English postmaster who introduced the world's first known postmark.
Dated 1765, the cover is addressed to John Moultrie, governor of East Florida at St Augustine. Enclosed within was a multipage inventory of the estate of James Moultrie with a British tax stamp. An exceptionally rare usage of the Savanna handstamp and Bishop mark, the cover was in fine condition, hampered by a central tear and soiling.
 Impressive results were seen by handstamped covers in the four-day sale |
US stampless covers featured prominently in the sale, with a 1782 Philadelphia, PA handstamped cover also selling well. Addressed to Nantes, France with a red Cadiz, Spain transit mark, the cover sold for $24,780, achieving a 1,552% increase on its $1,500 high estimate.
 Only 89 examples of the 1869 invert are recorded |
Elsewhere, an 1869 Pictorial Issue 24c invert sold for $14,750, approaching its high estimate of $15,000. An attractive example of the popular inverted centre rarity, the stamp boasted extremely large margins with a light yet clear black cancellation. Only 89 examples of the stamp are known to exist, with this specimen one of the most appealing.
Paul Fraser Collectibles has an impressive collection of investment-grade stamps currently available. We continue you to bring you the latest news from across the philatelic community in our dedicated Stamps news section.
