H.R. Harmer auctioned the famous Alexandria Blue Boy cover for $1.18 million on 22nd June at the Collectors Club in New York City. The cover comes with the only example of a 5¢ black on blue type I postmaster’s provisional stamp from Alexandria, Va. that was issued in 1846 and 1847. The item was auctioned publically for the first time in 1967. It received a single bid of $1 million this time and was sold along with an 18 per cent commission. It belonged to a collection of U.S. and Confederate States philatelic material that was put together by the German-born businessman Erivan Haub.

A stamp auctioneer from Switzerland named David Feldman had sold the 1847 Blue Boy cover “by tender” for $1 million on 8th May 1981, creating a record for a stamp. The stamp on the offered cover has a fresh shade. It is cut accurately, almost touching the outer design. It is cancelled by clear straight line ‘Paid,’ with a similar strike at left and ‘Alexandria D.C. Nov. 25’ town cancel. The cover has been restored and features some sealed tears and other small problems.

Click here to read more about the cover.

Visit philamart to view and purchase variety of stamps from all over the world.

Image Courtesy: H.R. Harmer Sale