| Description |
St. Louis, Missouri - Land Office/Post Office, "Receive at the Post Office" Uncut Sheet of 50 Cents-75 Cents-25 Cents-12-1/2 Cents Undated (ca. 1818-20s). Remainder. PCGS About New 53 Apparent. A rare uncut sheet with all denominations from the fourth series St. Louis postmaster notes; they differ greatly from the prior ones, which were crudely rendered in comparison. Although the notes appear to have been authorized for the use of Robert Simpson's successor, Aaron T. Crane, they may not have arrived until the final territorial-period and early statehood-era postmaster Elias Rector (1820-1822) served. These were finely engraved and printed from a copper plate (offered in the next lot) by P. Maverick, Durand & Co. (New-York) and succeeded the rudimentary, locally printed notes. Peter Maverick was an exceptional plate engraver with a distinctive style. Cyrus Durand, brother of painter Asher B. Durand, was an engineering genius. His patented spiral lathe work machinery contributed rapidly to the evolution of enhanced security printing technology designed to thwart counterfeiters. This short-lived imprint is rare, but the company did engrave plates for other Missouri Territory period notes (Canfield & Wm. O'Hara & Co.'s Missouri Exchange Bank and St. Louis & Illinois Team Boat Ferry). The notes are not known signed; therefore, we are unsure how long the notes were intended to be issued, if at all, and whether they were used into the statehood period commencing in 1821. Crane died in 1819, and the notes might have been used by his successor Elias Rector. A few years after, small-change notes like this were prohibited by an 1824 legislative act. Each denomination shares a similar layout: the large gray denomination numeral at the center, obligations across, MISSOURI curving above, and ornate lathe work end panels showing LAND OFFICE at left and POST OFFICE at right. Signature space was provided at lower right for the "Post Master" or "P.M.," each styled differently depending upon the denomination. This complete sheet has ample margins all around. Noted with "Small Edge Splits; Minor Mounting Remnants on Back." The individual notes are very scarce, and this is rare as an uncut sheet of all the denominations. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.
From Newman X (Heritage Auctions, November 2018), lot 20139, realized $1920. |
