Encased Postage Stamps
Popular Three Cents "G.G. EVANS" Merchant Type Selling "CALIFORNIA WINES" EP-44 Rarity-7 (11 to 15 known)
EP-44, HB-117, S-85, Reed-EV03. Three Cents. G.G. EVANS. CALIFORNIA WINES. Philadelphia, among the first east coast marketing agents for the new California Wine industry, Extremely Fine / About New.
Rated as Rarity-7 (11 to 15 known) according to Fred Reed. However, the Hodder-Bowers reference book states that there are fewer than ten known and more likely there are only six. Regardless, this Three Cents, G.G. EVANS is very rare and lacking in most Encased Postage Stamp collections. This example is one of the finest quality examples representing an excellent opportunity to acquire a great specimen of this very elusive, popular Wine Merchant. The mica is unbroken and superior to most seen having only some natural laminations noted over and above the top of George Washington's head. The way this Merchant type was made it has a typical lightly "caved in" appearance to the mica covering the stamp. This effect is typical for Evans EP as they were made without the standard cardboard supporting the stamp. The deep bright vivid red 3 George Washington 1861 series U.S. postage stamp is extremely well centered and very appealing. The case is virtually perfect having lovely subdued golden-brass color with significant amounts of underlying natural luster, especially about the reverse legends. We sold an example in our EAHA Auction of December 11, 2010, lot 261, graded Choice EF and selling at $2,950, and the most recent was EAHA Auction August 28, 2015, lot 2242 graded AU selling for $3,000 nearly a decade ago. Overall, this current EP-44 ranks as one of the finest examples known.