Description

Lenoir N.C., 5c Blue & Orange (49X1). Unused, full margins with framelines all around, beautiful rich colors and clear impressions, affixed to square piece of paper cut from the diary of the Lenoir postmaster's son, assistant and creator of the provisional stamp, G. W. F. Harper, the slip is dated September 19, 1861—the date of issue—and attached to a signed and notarized statement by G. W. F. Harper, attesting to the origin of the stamp and diary entry, dated August 11, 1887, the statement reads (in part): "that he retained and pasted in his Diary at the time, the first good impression made from the die, that he had said Diary and the stamp attached in his possession since Sept 19/1861...", some negligible splits along folds in document EXTREMELY FINE STAMP AND A REMARKABLE TESTIMONIAL FROM G. W. F. HARPER, WHO CARVED THE WOODCUT DEVICE USED TO PRINT THE LENOIR PROVISIONAL STAMP. ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT LENOIR ITEMS IN EXISTENCE. Based on sworn testimony from James Harper and his son, G. W. F. Harper, the Lenoir provisional was impressed from a pear-wood device carved by Postmaster Harper's son and used on September 19, 1861 (see Crown book, pp. 172-178, 651-652). Approximately 29 covers bearing the Lenoir adhesive stamp are known. The same woodcut device was applied directly to envelopes, as evidenced by an entire and cut square. We know of two notarized documents from James Harper, the postmaster, with stamps affixed, in addition to this document from his son, the actual creator of the stamp. Illustrated in the Crown book (p. 171). Ex Caspary, Muzzy and Birkinbine. With 2009 P.F. certificate. Scott value as an unused stamp without regard to the document and provenance is $7,250

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