A Cornucopia Of Auxiliary Postal Markings!

This cover showed up in Eric Jackson's most recent auction. I was interested in it as it's the first RB30 (4-cent proprietary battleship) I've seen used illegally/improperly as postage on cover. It's slightly out of period, so I didn't think it would go that high, but boy was I wrong. A battle ensued and I ended up bidding more than 3 times what I originally expected to in order to win it. *wince*

But as they say, if it's something you've not seen before you either stretch for it or rue not stretching after it's gone.

It's more than just an illegal usage; there's a treasure trove of auxiliary markings here, as well as the tattered remains of a post office seal. If only the cover could talk!

Shown first is an image of the entire cover, front and back, and then high-resolution images of all of the individual markings.




1. A "HELD FOR POSTAGE" circular handstamp, subsequently partially covered when legitimate postage was affixed.




2. A "RECEIVED IN BAD ORDER" circular handstamp.




3. "This is the Letter for which you sent Stamp. (N.Y.-I.D.)" I.D. stands for inquiry division.




And on the reverse:

4. "SENT NOTICE OF DETENTION" circular handstamp.




5. A partial strike of "ORIGINALLY HELD FOR POSTAGE / BUT NOW
FORWARDED ON RECEIPT / FROM YOU OF AMOUNT DUE / (N.Y. – I.D.)."

Retroreveal image and example of a complete strike (image courtesy of Jim Forte Postal History) shown below.








I've seen examples of some of these markings on revenue-use covers before, but definitely not #2, and not so many markings.

I assume that the post office seal was affixed in conjunction with marking #2, "RECEIVED IN BAD ORDER" ?

If anyone can provide any clarity as to all that transpired and the sequence of events, I would appreciate it.

This usage is not nearly late enough for anyone to be bothered by it. And four cent Battleship usages are MUCH less common then one cent or two cent usages. And if the OX had been intact it probably would have cost you still more, possibly significantly more.

The lengths that they used to go to in order to get what was due and proper. Such a contrast to now. Just a plain fascinating cover.

I am glad you are enjoying the cover. It is a really interesting item.

One of the big problems was probably the color; many two cent battleships got through because they are also carmine. Needing an OX made sure it would be looked at as well.

This cover may be to Frank Davis Halsey (1891-1941). His parents were Meline W. Halsey (1851-1905), a banker, and Elizabeth I. Davis Halsey (1856-1923). He was married to Dorothy Burr (1921-___). Frank graduated Princeton in 1912. Served with the American Ambulance Corp. in France 11/17-4/19. Work as the Asst. Editor of the Princeton University Press. Was an author and translator there and "president" of the Daily Princetonian newspaper. He would have been fourteen in 1905.