ZebraMan, this is what I wrote in reply to a friend's inquiry, actually over time, several inquiries from different friend. The most recent was regarding the Boston auction carrying it as a lot.
This is copied from my email sent in reply:
Quote:
My comments:
I do not understand what Parcel Post contents made this parcel post. I have not seen the back to tell if attached to a larger envelope.
During the time period 1-1-1913 through 6-30-1913 zone 3 one pound is the only way to make 7 cents PP postage.
This item is being priced as if a January usage, but it is wholly undated. Both stamps were available from 1-1-1913.
Except on this cover, I have never seen a similar label. Used in NYC I would expect other examples to have surfaced. **
The real issue I have are the coils, all five makes it 10 cents in applied postage. If mean to pay PP postage rates, it is over paid for1 lb (7c), and underpaid for 2LBs (12c).
If the coils were paying five ounces of 1st class, you could still send PP matter uprated to 1st class, no PP stamps required. If the 10 cents was intended for PP only 2lbs zone 2 would work. BUT as the 7c PP indicates this was a 1 lb zone three. Crow fly distance between NYC and Utica is 176+miles. **
Never sent in for a certificate for such an item being shopped at four figure prices it was listed/sold for.
As to the NYC cancels, Ken L could do a verification of validity.
If you contact Ken,you can share my observations.
The ** indicates my two biggest concerns. If this came to me for an opinion, the opinion would be "no opinion" based upon the above but I would get to look at the back.
So, does this help?
Take care,
Dan
What was appropriate in the reply was:
Quote:
There was no evidence of it being attached to a package, or any backstamp with date. Very unusual item, but I agree, most likely not a genuine parcel post use.
There you have likely the top two stamp students of the issues present on that cover talking about the cover.
Also as the SCF has many Dans already, PPG (parcelpostguy) works better.
As to this particular cover, I have followed it in several auctions and had it offered to me by a dealer between actions. If I thought it was good, no one would have seen it again unless I felt like showing them. I have always been a philatelic black hole -- what comes in here is never seen again.
Edited for a missing space between two words.
Lastly I sent you a message via SCF messaging. Check spam filter.
Posted 05/26/2026 2:49 pm
