Encased Postage Stamps
Five Cents AYER'S CATHARTIC PILLS Long Arrows Type Rarity-8 with Only 3 to 5 Known According to Fred Reed
EP-60a, HB-8, Scott-4, Reed-AC05LA. Five Cents, AYER'S CATHARTIC PILLS, Long Arrows type, Rarity-8, Exceedingly Rare (Only Three to Five Known), Choice Extremely Fine.
Rated as (Hi) Rarity-8+ (3 to 5 Known) according to Fred Reed. This is only the second example of this exceedingly rare EP number we have ever offered in our 45 years of specializing in the field of Encased Postage Stamp collecting. The 1989 Bowers & Hodder "Standard Catalogue" reference simply indicate it as "Rare" and this cataloger has heard of only two others being known, one of which in similar grade, we offered and sold in 2011.
This current example is quite sharp and attractive and one of the finest known. Its 1861 Civil War U.S. Postage issue rich brown Thomas Jefferson stamp is well centered, just a bit to the left as shown. The mica is clean and clear, unbroken with very minor natural craze at its outer lower rim edge. It has a glossy, deep chestnut case that has traces of original luster and sharply detailed reverse text letters in the legend. A highly important great rarity of this field and a significant "sleeper" rare variety, of course missing from virtually all collections.
The first example we ever offered was in our EAHA Auction of August 27, 2011 Lot 199, also graded Choice EF, where that example sold for $4,720 over a decade ago. That example's provenance was Ex: Stack's John J. Ford, Jr. Collection Sale, June 2004 Lot 341 and prior was from the Siegel Auction of the famous J. K. Lilly Collection, September 13, 1967, Lot 324 where that rare example realized a massive $60 some fifty-four years ago. This current example should bring a competitive price as the market for Encased Postage Stamps has been better recognized by collectors, many quality examples and high rarities hammering at new record prices. Provenance Ex: Bowers and Ruddy Newport Collection sale, January-February 1975, lot 1183, with Lot Tag included.