US Carrier Cover

Any thoughts on this one? Philadelphia local carrier, but no company name.
Addressed To George W Childs, owner and editor of the Philadelphia Ledger. So I can narrow it down as dating from 1864, when he bought the paper, to 1894, when he died.
Not exactly a pin point, I know



I have discovered that the 1st under the date indicates this came in the first delivery of the day.

I think I saw this on ebay not long ago (or something very similar). Looks like mid 1870s to me.

Possibly this one, I just won it on ebay a couple of weeks ago. But I've seen some others with a similar cancel. But no information.

As Mr. Childs bought the Ledger in December (1864) and died in February (1894), by process of elimination, a September postmark would have to date the cover between 1865 and 1893. Still a span of 28 years, but a little less to research.

There's a 3-volume catalog of Philadelphia postal markings by Tom Clarke that would probably resolve the question. There may be an article about Philadelphia carrier markings somewhere in a back issue of the USPCS Chronicle...

A very common marking used at Philadelphia on mail delivered by carriers. This class of markings was used at Philly from mid 1860s to early 1870s.

I would be more concerned about the fact that it is missing the postage (likely a 2c stamp) that was probably applied to reverse on your cover. I say this because of the placement of the carrier marking. A very remote, and I do mean very remote, chance that it passed without any stamp but I doubt it. Look for perforation shadows on back flap evidencing the removal or loss of a stamp.

Ah Mr Frajola. Very interesting indeed. I assumed that this was a private courier type of cover and not postage stamp was necessary (though others I've seen online with this cancel did in fact have postage stamps).
A close look with and without loupe shows nothing on the back. But in fact, under the cancel itself is the trace of a stamp. You can just make out on the scan a lighter square area. Very close examination does in fact show an outline of perforations, especially on the left side of the 'square', coming up from the letter C in Carrier and past the A! Its as if the stamp had fallen off, then the cancel was applied. Is that possible or at least likely?

Well done, Richard. It's good to see you in the forum!

Ok, this is fascinating. Thanks for bringing this to my attention Richard. I've altered the Carrier handstamp in photoshop, and you can definitely make out the 'ghosts' of perforations. AND I think I can even make out a grill pattern. There seems to be gum residue left on the paper of the envelope.




But why would it be cancelled with no stamp, that's what I wonder.
Is there the possibility the cancel is a forgery?

The postmark has not been faked. A 2c 1869 issue stamp fell off between when it was posted and when it was processed. Evidently there was evidence that the cover had been prepaid (maybe a loose stamp at the bottom of a collection box) and it was processed as completely prepaid.

a typical example below from 1870

Cudos sir! Brilliant deduction and analysis. I really appreciate you expertise. Thanks so much!

And following up on this, I have to ask. I know nothing of these carrier marks. Am I to understand that the US post office, in some cities, contracted out the delivery of mail rather thank hiring their own letter carriers?