2016-09-23 Fri

The Early American History Auctions which held an online sale on 27th August, auctioned one of the only two known examples of the Irving House 3-cent encased postage stamp.

The lot featured collectibles of Paul Revere such as an engraved and printed loan document, an 1805 George Washington portrait, an Eccleston medal in copper etc.

The Irving House 3-cent encased postage stamp graded Choice About New had an estimate value of $10,000 to $15,000.

Situated at Broadway and 12th Street, Irving House was a hotel in lower Manhattan, where George W. Hunt was the proprietor and Charles W. Nash headed the food and catering department.

In 1863, Nash opened his own restaurant. Hunt carried on for six more years and finally sold his interest to George Harlow. The stamp’s metallic frame reverse features the surnames of both Hunt and Nash. A rose-colored 1861 George Washington 3-cent postage stamp is the philatelic element which is included.