NFLD Cover From 1897

Here is a new one to my collection, snagged from ebay.

#62 (two) and #66 with great big obliterator cancels and the big black "R" marking registration, with 3 different registration numbers (probably train, St Johns and Boston).

It started on a train (cancel on the back) on Jul 22, 1897 with the "Railway TPO" cancel which is Ludlow N81, Rarity Factor = 215 (so common).

Then it got canceled in St Johns (on back) with a nice fancy cancel on July 22)

Then in Boston with a carmine oval on Jul 28.

It eventually went to Tyrone PA in the USA but no receiving cancel.

I especially was drawn to the personal aspect of the recipient, "H.A. Gripp, Esq German Artist".

To me, the fact that this is rugged, worn, all marked up, faded and just all around not clean and pristine--makes it all the more interesting. Sort of the opposite of a philatelic item (not that I don't like them too).

Comments? Enjoy

Really good find, stamps on old covers like this are very interesting, worth collecting.

Remember back in the 1970s when you used to find matchbook covers or magazine ads encouraging you to send in a sketch or drawing to some sort of art school? Well, it would seem H.A. Gripp and the H.A. Gripp Art School of Tyrone, PA was the 19th century counterpart doing the same thing!

Checkout these images and text:

Tommy....Any idea what the numbers "14314" was placed on the cover for..?
Maybe a local stamp..?

Robert

I would suggest the number "14314" was the registration number (registered mail) as denoted by the Boston, Mass. (Registry Division) postmark on the reverse as well as the blue pencil notation on the front (typically used on registered mail).

Love these Newfoundland stamps. A little more on portrait of Sebastian Cabot (not John, as stated) on 2 cent. According to Robson Lowe's Encyclopedia of Stamps of the British Empire, Sebastian's portrait on which the engraving is based was by Holbein, done for King Edward VI. Portrait eventually destroyed by fire in Pittsburgh in 1845. How did it get there? Purchased in 1834 by a biographer of Cabot, one Richard Biddle. I suspect there is lot more known about him too, but not by me.

Fantastic research on the receipient--thank you.

I believe that the three numbers are all registration numbers : one for the train, one for St Johns and one for Boston.

There is also a fourth one with a blue pencil through it, but I need to do more research on that...and it is faint marking underneath

If Boston drew a blue pencil line through two of the other numbers on the front and handstamped 14314, why was 7985 not marked out?




Which number? 440 on the left? Wonderful cover Tommy, thanks for showing it!

I believe that the 14314 was some type of tracking number that was applied to a registered cover (?) It would be a unique number for any given registered letter sent.

Chimo

Bujutsu