COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION ISSUES

The 400th anniversary is called a Quadricentennial or a Quatercentenary, both Latin-derived terms meaning four times a hundred years, referring to the 400th year or its celebration, as seen in the American commemorative stamps celebrating Christopher Columbus and the events surrounding his voyage and landing in North America and environs. Sixteen denominations and designs of United States postage stamps were chosen and issued from January 1, 1893 until March 24th. These included 1¢ #230, 2¢ #231, 3¢ #232, 4¢ #233, 5¢ #234, 6¢ #235, 8¢ #236, 10¢ #237, 15¢ #238, 30¢ #239, 50¢ #240, $1 #241, $2 #242 $3 #243, $4 #244, and $5 #245.

There were no 7¢ , 9¢, 20¢, or 25¢ postage stamps of the Columbian Exposition issued for redundancy and economic reasons.

On January 1, 1893, the following eight postage stamps were issued 1¢ #230, 2¢ #231, 3¢ #232, 4¢ #233, 5¢ #234, 6¢ #235, 10¢ #237, and $2 #242.

On January 6, $5 #245 Note : one plate block of eight is known to have survived.

On January 10, 30¢ #239

On January 11, $1 #241

On January 26, 15¢ #238

On February 8, 50¢ #240

On March 18, 8¢ #236

On March 24, $3 #243, $4 #244.

Columbian Exposition Postal Stationery 1¢ #U348, 2¢ #U349, 5¢ #U350, 10¢ #U351

The Columbian Exposition Series found a receptive audience of tens of thousands of collectors eager to acquire all sixteen postage stamps to complete the series in their collections. Acquiring new stamps directly from the Post Office was not always a feasible option for the average stamp collector’s budget, especially 50¢ to $5 were not financially accessible. Consequently, these higher denominations were typically collectible in used condition, acquired at a fraction of their face value from other collectors and dealers. Regrettably, this factor led to the removal of these higher denominations from old canceled letters to be sold to collectors who desired to fill the space on their stamp album pages. The outcome of this craze has resulted in the loss of many rare cover gems of philately to posterity, and a significant amount of historical information has been lost due to this phenomenon.

Collecting Columbian Exposition Series covers can be a captivating and exciting niche or specialty in these five area niches : 1) higher denominations covers, 2) multiple stamps on a single cover, 3) transatlantic/pacific covers to foreign countries, 4) Columbian Exposition cachets, and 5) covers postmarked in January 1893, encompassing all thirty-one days of the month.

Columbian Exposition Series Postage Stamps

Columbian Exposition Series Dollar Value Postage Stamps

On January 11, $1 #241. These are limited series reproduction sheets of 18 stamps per sheet purchased from a stamp dealer in Romania. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, $180 per sheet.Write john@numismaticmall.com

On January 1, 1893, $2 #242. These are limited series reproduction sheets of 18 stamps per sheet purchased from a stamp dealer in Romania. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, $180 per sheet.Write john@numismaticmall.com

On March 24, 1893 $3 #243. $180 per sheet.These are limited series reproduction sheets of 18 stamps per sheet purchased from a stamp dealer in Romania. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, $180 per sheet.Write john@numismaticmall.com

On March 24, 1893 $4 #244. $180 per sheet.These are limited series reproduction sheets of 18 stamps per sheet purchased from a stamp dealer in Romania. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, $180 per sheet.Write john@numismaticmall.com

These are limited series reproduction sheets of 18 stamps per sheet purchased from a stamp dealer in Romania. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, $180 per sheet.Write john@numismaticmall.com

1. Higher Denominations Covers

Michael Ludeman, is the philatelic author and researcher who has been keeping “Columbian Dollar-Value Cover Census” current.

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Inc., William H. Gross Collection, lot 544

2. Multiple Stamps on a Single Cover

3. Transatlantic/Pacific Covers to Foreign Countries

4. Columbian Exposition Cachets

5. Covers Postmarked in January 1893, Encompassing all Thirty-one Days of the Month.

Collectors prizes the ealy covers franked with the Columbian Series especially those of the first week. Even these are broken down especially the first four days precisely due to the phenomenon of January 1st having been a Sunday. Since that was so philatelist have agreed that all covers postmarked January 1 and January 2nd are considered FDC's. Consequently those dated to January 3rd are known as Second Day Covers, and January 4th a third day. So that a second day cover is now a first and the third the second, and so on.

January 6th was the completion of the Great Northern Railway which connected Seattle with the East Coast speeding up the mail. Consequently covers dated then with Seattle or St. Paul addresses are prized celebrating this event.

Covers dated January 14 through the 17th mailed to or from Hawaii have a premium since this was the invasion and deposing of Queen Liliʻuokalani and declaring marshal law of Hawaii by Sanford B. Dole.

First Day Covers (FDC)

Fairmount Station, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, postmarked double impression, January 1, 1893, to Dr. John Franklin Jameson (1859-1937), Providence, Rhode Island receiving cancel Providence, Rhode Island, January 3. 1893. Dr. Jameson was a Professor of History, Brown University. Estimate $20,000 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

RARE TRANSATLANTIC FDC & TRAIN MAIL IN GERMANY

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF OR EVER SEEN A LETTER SENT FROM AMERICA TO SOMEONE ABOARD A TRAIN IN GERMANY ORCHESTRATED IN TIME TO USE FIRST DAY ISSUES AND RECEIVE A GERMAN RAILWAY OMEGA CANCEL?

First Day Cover mailed by E. Fromentz, 111 East 105th Street, New York postmarked January 1, 1893, duplex cancel #230, #231 horizontal pair addressed to Robert Gedies, Berlin Lehrter Bonhof, Eilgut-Expedition

UNIQUE : First Day Cover (FDC) January 1, 1893 with two stamps (Scott #230, and two Scott #231) in the Columbia Series issued as commemorative stamps for 400th anniversary of Columbus' voyage discovering America celebrated at the Exposition at Chicago. The 2c stamps are a strip of two contiguous stamps roughly torn from a sheet causing some separation apparent in the top six perforations. An unknown inverted "omega" postmark or private marking is visible above the word Banhof (railway). This may be the letter carriers mark aboard the train with omega signifying the Berlin terminal. The Lehrter Banhof was the Berlin terminal. Eilgut-Expedition was the express train on which Robert Gedies was on board.

Mail steamships made the transatlantic journey from New York to the Port of Bremen, Germany in 15 days. From Bremen it took two days to be delivered. A common Berlin, German postmark reads Besteldt von Beamte (delivered by postman) with the hour of the delivery on January 18, 1893 between 7:15 a.m. and 8:15 a.m., that is, before noon indicated by the V = Vormittag.

Estimate $60,000 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

Very famous stamp and coin dealer, Ernest Franz Gambs, San Francisco, California docketed January 1, 1893, 15¢ #238 + 1¢ #230, sent to APS Member #3724, W. R. Harrison, Post Office Department, Pontiac, Michigan. Annotations on back of Harrison purchasing Jamaican stamp and prices as marked in U.S. Stamp Prices Book. Harrison was probably a postal clerk in Pontiac, Michigan. Estimate $35,000 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

Sent from the office of The California Illustrated Magazine, San Francisco, California to the Postmaster, Sentinel, Maricopa County, Arizona. Annotated by the Postmaster at Sentinel, Arizone "1st 1¢ rec'd Jan'y 8th 1893" The sender did not know Maricopa County misspelling it as Mariposa County which is a county in California, not Arizona. Third class mail could take up to 9 days to be delivered. Considering the mail route from San Francisco to Sentinel 7-8 days appears tenable making this mailed either January 1st or January 2nd. Estimate $15,000 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

Third class commercial bulk mailing to celebrated museum founder, Henry Luther Sheldon (1821-1907), Middlebury, Vermont. Sheldon annotated the front cover "The first 1 cent I received Jan'y 9, 1893." Considering the fact that Sheldon constantly received mail from coin, stamp, curiosity, rare book, dealers odds are many Columbian series were included. Sheldon specifies the 1¢ #230 as the first received since he already had received the 2 or other denominations prior to January 9th, and this bulk mail cover probably took no less than 4 and up to 9 days to be delivered making it most probably sent betwen January 1st to January 5th. So collectors looking to find FDC's must realize some will be in this category of either January 1-2, making it an FDC or January 3-5 making it very early, Estimate $5,000 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

Second Day Covers Are Also FDC'S

Although postmarked January 2, 1893, specialists acknowledge that all Columbian covers postmarked January 1st or 2nd are considered FDC's, rather than second day cover, postmarked January 2, 1893, Frenchville, Maine on uprated postal stationery #U311 + #230, sent to J. M. Grob & Co., Leipzig-Eutritzsch, Germany. Transatlantic cover with Leipzig-Eutritzsch, Germany receiving cancel January 13, 1893. Estimate $15,000 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

Although postmarked January 2, 1893, specialists acknowledge that all Columbian covers postmarked January 1st or 2nd are considered FDC's, rather than second day cover, postmarked January 2, 1893, Denver, Colorado, duplex cancel, sent to Mrs W. L. Hamilton, Kansas City, Missouri, receiving cancel on back January 3, 1893, Kansas City, Missouri. Estimate $15,000 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

Third Day Covers Are Also 2nd Day Covers

Sent from Chicago, Illinois, American Postal Machine Company, Hanmer #D2 with Killer #1 variant postmarked January 3, 1893, to Mrs. Barkley Cooper, Wheeling, West Virginia, receiving cancel. The sender pressed very hard with their pencil leaving deep grooves visible from the back. Estimate $5,000 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

The Lancashire Insurance Company, New York, to The Fire Association Insurance Agency, Garey & Randall, Biddeford, Maine. Duplex cancel, backstamp or receiving cancel Biddeford, Maine. Estimate $5,000 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

Boody House hotel staionery, Toledo, Ohio, postmarked January 3, 1893 to Miss Bessie G. Dawes, Marietta, ohio, duplex cancel, receiving cancel Marietta, ohio. Estimate $5,000 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

Coatesville, Indiana January 3, 1893 to Elvira Hadley, Pecksburg, Indiana #231 duplex cancel with target/bullseye killer. Opened rough on left side, some staining, date enlarged in zoom photo to show it reads Jan 3, 1893, bumped corners. $3,000. Price reduced in proportion to condition. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

Fourth Day Covers Are Also 3rd Day Covers

Duranoid Manufacturing Company, Newark, New Jersey to Joseph Erhart, Erie, Pennsylvania, postmarked Newark, New Jersey, January 4, 1893, American Postal Machine Company, Hanmer #D2 with Killer #1 variant, Columbian 2¢ Cinderella made by Duranoid Manufacturing Co., on front as cachet. The Duranoid Manufacturing Co., was world famous as the manufacturers of sound recording records made from pressed clay and shellac, a formula used until about 1950. I have never seen anything like this on a Columbian series cover of 1893. Perhaps unique? Estimate $3,000 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

M. A. Nathan of the Manhattan Chess Club, to Walter Michael, Bristol, England, postmarked Registered January 4, 1893, Branch Post Office Station P, etiquette, Bristol receiving cancel January 17, 1893. Multiple franking with #230 X 2, #231, #234, and #237. Transatlantic mail with multiple Columbian series stamps in four denominations. A highly desirable very early Columbian Expo cover. Estimate $3,000 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

Avraham Yitzchak “Adolph” Edlis (1860-1934), Edlis & Co., Scranton, Pennsylvania to Cleveland Stone Company, Cleveland, Ohio, postmarked January 4, 1893. Graphic illustrated advertising cover with portrait of Mr. Edlis at age 33. A nice American Judaica cover reflecting the late 19th century American Jewish experience. Estimate $3,000 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

American Rubber Company, Boston, Massachusetts, postmarked January 4, 1893 to Middlesex Bleachery, Somerville, Massachusetts. Estimate $3,000 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

Self Addressed Stamped Envelope of the Lloyds Plate Glass Insurance Company, New York, New York mailed from a client in Detroit, Michigan, postmarked January 4, 1893. Estimate $3,000 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

Powell Brothers, Shadeland, Pennsylvania to the Village of Black Creek, Outagamie County, Wisconsin, Fancy cancel. Estimate $3,000 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

Fifth Day Covers

Rogers, Brown & Merwin, Chicago, Illinois to Globe Fur Co., Northville, Michigan, postmarked January 6, 1893, American Postal Machine Company, Hanmer #D2 with Killer #1 variant, Estimate $2,000 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

The Tenneessee Coal Iron and Railroad Company, Bessemer, Alabama, to M. E. Brigham, Altamonte, Florida, postmark RPO Chattanooga & Meridian Railroads, Train 6, January 5, 1893, on postal stationery #U349. Estimate $2,000 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

Weissel, New Milford, Connecticut to Melchers, Runge & Co., London, England, postmarked January 5, 1893, error with an "5" is inverted in the dial, postal stationery #U311 uprated with #234, transatlantic cover. Estimate $2,000 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

Sixth Day Covers

A. Iselin & Co., New York in return envelope of Hentsch & Co., Geneva, Switzerland, postmarked January 6, 1893, American Postal Machine Company, Hanmer #D2 with Killer #1 variant, Columbian 5¢. Estimate $2,000 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

F. S. Harmon, Baltimore, Maryland to Globe Furniture Company, Northville, Michigan , postmarked January 6, 1893, #231, American Postal Machine Company, Hanmer #D2 with Killer #1 variant, receiving cancel January 9, 1893. Estimate $2,000 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

Total Abstinence Life Association of America, Chicago, Illinois to M. D. Webber, Hillsborough Bridge, New Hampshire, postmarked January 6, 1893. Estimate $2,000 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

William Reid, Detroit, Michigan to J. A. De Burr Manufacturing Company, Northville, Michigan , postmarked January 6, 1893, #231, American Postal Machine Company, Hanmer #D2 with Killer #1 variant, receiving cancel January 9, 1893. Estimate $2,000 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

Mourning cover from Brooklyn, New York to Lily Rohrmer, Aachen, Germany. Estimate $2,000 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

Seventh Day Covers

F. C. Ferris, Columbus, Ohio in S.A.S.E. of Dr. A. G. Miller, South Bend, Indiana. Estimate $2,000 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

A. Harvey's Sons Manufacturing Company, Detroit, Michigan to J. A. Dubar Manufacturing Company, Northville, Michigan. Estimate $2,000 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

S. Spencer Chapman and Francis Chapman, Attorneys-At-Law, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Hall & Hayes, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. Estimate $2,000 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

W. A. Bingham & Company, New York, New York to W. H. Posten, Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey.Estimate $2,000 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

Eighth Day Covers

National Hotel, Rochester, New York to Globe Furniture Co., Northville, Michiogan. . Estimate $1,500 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

Windsor?, Pennsylvania to Pabst Brewing, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Estimate $1,500 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com.

Ninth Day Covers

Valley, Nebraska sent a S.A. S. E. of P.B. & C.C. Miles, Grain Commission Merchants, Peoria, Illinois. Estimate $1,500 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

Newark, New Jersey to Frederick Hope, Red Bank, New Jersey . Estimate $1,500 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

O. Schimansky, Cooperage and Lumber, Sandusky, Ohio to R. L. French, Wellington, Ohio. Estimate $1,500 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

Charles Van Sterson, Denver, Colorado to J. A. Van Sterson, Rhenen, Holland, received New York, January 12, 1893, Rhenen Hoplland received January 24, 1893. Estimate $1,500 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

Chicago, Illinois to Miss Clara L. Nachtrieb, Minneapolis, Minnesota.Estimate $1,500 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

Henry Wood's Sons Company, Newton, Massachusetts to Freeman A. Smith, Jersey city, New Jersey. Estimate $1,500 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

Albany, New York to Mrs. C. C. Lathrop, Albany, New York. Estimate $1,500 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

Farmers Deposit National Bank, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Alexander & Co., Monogahela City, Pennsylvania. Estimate $1,500 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

Tenth Day Covers

G. E. Jefferson, Norwalk, Ohio toMiss Bertha Ruggles, Milan, ohio with 2-page letter. George E. Jefferson taught evening bible classes to women of the First Baptist Church and was Financial Secretary for Benevolence. Apparently, Miss Ruggles was a supporter. Jefferson Elementary School is named after him.

"Norwalk, January 10, 92

Dear Miss Ruggles,

Your recent favor with enclosed P. O. order received for which accept thanks. Don't mention the kindness for you know my mission on earth is to help people. (!)

I am sorry to hear of your father's ill health and your consequent retirement from the pleasures of the season.

I have just been thinking of appearing in the public square of the city of Milan inviting the past mistress of that fair village to take a sleighride.

I can say from experience that it is no enviable position to place behind frozen window to listen to the noise of the bells (I mean the sleigh bells) and know that your not "in it."

Thanking you again for your custom and prompt remittance, I remain,

Your truly,

G. E. Jefferson."

Estimate $1,500 all offers considered. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, write john@numismaticmall.com

Eleventh Day Covers

Twelfth Day Covers

Thirteenth Day Covers

Fourteenth Day Covers

Fifteenth Day Covers

Sixteenth Day Covers

Seventeenth Day Covers

Eighteenth Day Covers

Nineteenth Day Covers

Twentieth Day Covers

Twenty First Day Covers

Twenty Second Day Covers

Twenty Third Day Covers

Twenty Fourth Day Covers

Twenty Fifth Day Covers

Twenty Sixth Day Covers

Twenty Seventh Day Covers

Twenty Eigth Day Covers

Twenty Ninth Day Covers

Thirtieth Day Covers

Thirty First Day Covers

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