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Encased Postage Stamp, EP-46, S-95, 3 Cents, J. GAULT. Plain Frame UNIQUE DESIGN

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:2,800.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
Encased Postage Stamp, EP-46, S-95, 3 Cents, J. GAULT. Plain Frame UNIQUE DESIGN
Encased Postage Stamps
Unique Apparent “Pattern” Hybrid Three Cents J. GAULT with Plain Frame EP-46 Rarity-7 with Hand Cut Frame
EP-46, HB-129, S-95, Reed-JG03. Apparent Frame “Pattern” Trial or Hybrid, Three Cents. J. GAULT. Plain “Hand-Carved” Front Frame. Choice About Uncirculated.
UNIQUE PATTERN / HYBRID. Standard Type Rated as a Rarity-7 (11 to 15 known) according to Fred Reed. We have previously offered just five examples of this 3¢ denomination over four decades, and today believe its rarity to be closer to Rarity-8. However, this example displays a clearly seen “Hand-Carved,” rather than the standard machine made, face frame and the original roughness caused by the Hand-Cut displays a distinct deeper natural dark tone where cut on its inner flat edges.

This exact piece sold by Early American to an advanced collector circa late 1970s and it comes together with its original descriptive insert tag. Subsequent expert inspection has confirmed the original determination of being a “Pattern” as the Frame has appearance of being a possible early Prototype for the face case, the opening cut designed for both holding and viewing the underlying stamp. That design would be incorporated into John Gault’s original patent, No. 1627, which was granted on August 12, 1862, shortly after the passage of legislation authorizing the use of United States Stamps as Currency in July of 1862. Other than this example we have not seen a standard machine made reverse case paired with a Hand Carved face.

Overall, this exceptional specimen has a lovely appearance. The red George Washington stamp is fairly well centered with original vivid carmine color and printing, scene under clear mica that shows some light surface wear and faint trivial craze at the lower and top right rim edges, likely when made. The front case frame is Hand Cut, as previously described, and the reverse is extremely clean, smooth with original underlying natural luster with just a bit of minor tone. A wonderful, Unique rarity to our best knowledge, essential for Encased Postage Stamp collectors and Civil War money specialists.

John Gault was the inventor of postage stamp encasements for which he received a patent on August 12, 1862. The same technology was used in subsequent years for the manufacture of advertising shell cards and earlier and later for political ferrotypes. Paper card with attribution notation included.
John Gault began “Encasing” Postage Stamps for use as small change during the shortage of “hard money” coinage during the American Civil War. The original patent to him, No. 1627, was granted in August, shortly after the passage of legislation authorizing the use of stamps as currency in July of 1862.

It appears likely that the encasements he issued under his own name were the first in the series, made after July 1862 but before his partnership with Kirkpatrick. Towards the end of the year Gault moved to New York City and entered into partnership with Joseph Kirkpatrick. The new firm of Kirkpatrick & Gault set up business at 1 Park Place.