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Encased Postage Stamp, Three Cents. KIRKPATRICK & GAULT. Rarity-8

Currency:USD Category:Stamps Start Price:1,800.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 2,500.00 USD
Encased Postage Stamp, Three Cents. KIRKPATRICK & GAULT. Rarity-8
Encased Postage Stamps
Rarity-8 Three Cents “KIRKPATRICK & GAULT”
EP-50, HB-161, S-114, Reed-KG03. Three Cents. KIRKPATRICK & GAULT. Damaged mica and stamp. Very Fine.
Rated as Rarity-8 (5 to 10 known) according to Fred Reed. This circulated Three Cents “Kirkpatrick & Gault” has nice eye appeal to the detailed natural chestnut reverse case, the front having a small hole in both the mica and into the stamp on Washington’s head. The well centered red George Washington stamp is damaged where the mica has a good chip missing from an apparent heavy hit taking some of the stamps paper as well, as shown.

The Hodder-Bowers Encased Postage Stamp reference states that Robert Kincaid has been able to trace less than eight examples. (Likely both Reed and Hodder-Bowers references are actually too generous in count for this EP number, as the later made “Romaine” Reproductions or repeat appearances of the same original EP, were likely unwittingly included in his census). The sole example sold in the historic Frederick Mayer Collection of 2007, also graded About New, was the same, previously offered example that was sold in the June 2004, Stack’s John J. Ford, Jr. Collection Sale, being there acquired. To put its rarity into perspective, the 24¢, 30¢ and 90¢ denominations of this Merchant are actually more commonly encountered!

This EP-50 is absolutely original. It is the authentic John Gault, Civil War Period made product. In this cataloger’s opinion, there are most likely about seven examples are Known. This is the only the third example of an authentic, original EP-50 we have offered. The finest example we offered was also our very first being in our EAHA Auction of June 25, 2011, Lot 6, graded About New, selling for $10,620. This current example represents a tremendous opportunity for serious Encased Postage Stamp collectors as it is missing in virtually every collection.