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Encased Postage Stamps, 2¢, Experimental - UNIQUE

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:11,000.00 USD Estimated At:12,000.00 - 18,000.00 USD
Encased Postage Stamps, 2¢, Experimental - UNIQUE
Encased Postage Stamps

Unique 1851 Internal Revenue Two Cents Stamp “Take Ayer’s Pills” Listed as “AP0251” “Experimental” Usage

Reed AP0251 (Reed Pages 445 & 462). Nonstandard Usage. 1851 Two Cents Internal Revenue Issue Stamp. Encased Postage “Experimental” or “Trial” Specimen. TAKE AYER’S PILLS. Silvered. Choice About New.

According to Bowers & Hodder in their “Standard Catalogue” no example of a standard 2¢ Stamp “Take Ayer’s Pills” exists. It further notes this specific example with mention on page 52 reading, “A 2¢ 1862 Internal Revenue stamp denomination is known.” Although they meant 1851 (and not 1862 as there is no such 1862 stamp). In addition, this exact specimen is noted in Fred Reed’s reference book, “Civil War Encased Stamps” on page 462 where it is listed as “AP0251.”
This specimen is also nearly identical to the one illustrated on page 445 of Fred Reed’s reference. That old, reproduced photo shows use of a set of 11 different, including an 1851 United States Issue 2¢ Internal Revenue Postage Stamp, similar to the one currently offered. Reed’s comment being that these 11 that were illustrated had previously: “defied explanation for decades. Purportedly given by a former Scovill employee to that company in 1884, these pieces were presented to the Mattatuck Historical Society (Waterbury, CT.) four decades later. They were subsequently disbursed.” We believe that this example may very well have also come from that source. Unfortunately, not much further is known. What we do know is that it is absolutely genuine, being as made, properly sealed and defect-free. It shows no sign of any tampering.
The bold orange 2¢ George Washington Revenue stamp has exceptional eye appeal. It is seen under clean, unbroken natural mica with just an insignificant tiny lamination above Washington’s head. The case has virtually full original Silvering on its reverse. Only the highpoints on the legends show some faint friction or cabinet wear. There are no major marks or detractions. This example is considered to be Unique as a “Take Ayer’s Pills” Merchant type, as is the other 2¢ 1851 Revenue example illustrated on page 445 in the Fred Reed book. First offered in our January 22, 1988 Auction, we offered the following information:

“A magnificent rarity that is extensively discussed by Arlie Slabaugh in the Hewitt catalog (on Encased Postage Stamps). He addresses knowing of another 1851 2¢ Internal Revenue Stamp used with a Drake’s Plantation Bitters reverse. He explains that there are several other experimental pieces known using other denominations of stamps and other reverses. Most of these pieces were in a collection purchased in 1884 by the Scovill Manufacturing Company and it was later given to the Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury, Connecticut. Slabaugh continues, that since the records of the company were destroyed by a fire in 1881, it is not been possible to ascertain just what all denominations and quantifies Gault had made for different issues. Nor, has it been possible to ascertain definitely just what the above listed piece represented as to the ultimate purpose for manufacture.”
Until now, we have not offered or seen a different example of this Unique “Experimental” or “Trial” piece. We last sold it back in our January 22, 1988 Auction, Lot 287, where it sold at $11,500. now being well over two decades ago. Don’t let another couple of decades or more possibly pass. Act now to secure this Unique and beautiful Encased Postage Stamp.