On 17th September, Cherrystone Philatelic Auctioneers is going to publically auction a rare 1846 cover that’s franked with two separate 5¢ black Brattleboro stamps. There are 19 such covers with Brattleboro provisional stamps, but unlike the offered example, all the others feature just one stamp each. The cover was sent to Hartford, Conn. Vt., on buff postmaster’s provisional.

Both the stamps depict a red-coloured “PAID” postmark. Another “PAID” postmark along with a Brattleboro circular date stamp can also be seen on the letter. A postage rate of 10¢ was applied for mails weighing more than half-ounce as the cover also had an enclosed letter.

Back in those days, postmasters issued their own provisional stamps before the federal stamps were introduced in 1847. Frederick N. Palmer was the postmaster of Brattleboro and his initials are depicted on both the stamps. It is uncommon to find Brattleboro stamps with four margins as the 10-subject printing plate had a smaller layout. The cover comes along with a 1989 Philatelic Foundation certificate. The same item was auctioned publically 12 years back. This time, it has an estimated value of $250,000.

Several other interesting stamps are going to be offered during the auction. One of the highlights is a used 13¢ blue Hawaiian Postage Missionary stamp issued in 1851. The stamp shows a couple of repair marks but the auction house claims that the stamp looks very fine and unused.

A 20-groszy Boxing stamp from the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games set of Poland in Very Fine never-hinged condition is another exciting offering. The centre of this left sheet margin stamp is inverted. There are only 14 examples of this stamp that are known to collectors today.

Image Courtesy: Cherrystone Philatelic Auctioneers