Newly acquired items worthy of your attention. The newest items are at the top with recently added items farther down. As always, your satisfaction is guaranteed. All are available for approval viewing. Scott numbers have been used unless otherwise mentioned.
U.S. Scott #1827-30 [1980 15c Coral Reefs] (VF) MR. ZIP BLOCK on August 26, 1980, FIRST DAY COVER canceled at the official FD city for this stamp issued, "CHARLOTTE AMALIE, VI / 00801" (St. Thomas). First day covers of this issue are common, but this FDC was sent by a collector to Charlotte Amalie for FD canceling and thus received a slightly different first day cancellation than the large-volume commercial FD covers; there are small differences in the appearance -- such examples are surprisingly scarce and are rarely offered. Some of the covers that this collector received back were obviously returned in the mail (and have a small machine-sorter marking on the reverse); however this cover does not happen to have such a marking, but it was most likely returned in the mail.
5.00
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248635
U.S. Scott #1827-30 [1980 15c Coral Reefs] (VF) COPYRIGHT BLOCK on August 26, 1980, FIRST DAY COVER canceled at the official FD city for this stamp issued, "CHARLOTTE AMALIE, VI / 00801" (St. Thomas). First day covers of this issue are common, but this FDC was sent by a collector to Charlotte Amalie for FD canceling and thus received a slightly different first day cancellation than the large-volume commercial FD covers; there are small differences in the appearance -- such examples are surprisingly scarce and are rarely offered. Some of the covers that this collector received back were obviously returned in the mail (and have a small machine-sorter marking on the reverse); however this cover does not happen to have such a marking, but it was most likely returned in the mail.
5.00
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248446
Scott # 18a BISECT, Green-Blue Printing [4 Cent Perf 12.75 Bicolor] VF (upper left corner) solo use on 23 January 1903 (fourth day of bisect use) picture post card (lithographed photo of Blackbeard Castle / tower) from ST. THOMAS to the U.S. with BROOKLYN, NY, receiving machine postmark. Two cents was the correct foreign post card rate at the time. However, examples of the bisect used on cards to other countries are quite scarce (compared to use on locally mailed souvenir covers), especially with a receiving postmark such as this has. The card, being pre-1907, has an undivided back, and is without any publisher information, but has a standard European-type German / French address-side header. The subject matter of the card is not uncommon, but it is often misunderstood. This is the so-called Blackbeards castle / tower on St. Thomas. (That is not to be confused with the slightly shorter Bluebeards castle / tower located on St. Croix.) Per Wikipedia, it was erected in 1679 by the Danes as a watchtower to protect the harbor as well as Fort Christian. It was originally called Skytsborg (meaning protection castle). It is located at the highest point of Government Hill. Skytsborg served as a very effective vantage point for Danish soldiers to spot enemy ships. Fort Christian is at sea level, thus making it ideal for thwarting attackers with cannon fire; however, the fort itself did not provide an ideal view of incoming ships entering the harbor. Pirate Blackbeard was believed to have used this tower at some point. A typical bisect, in good condition and used locally on an envelope, can sell from $45 to $90 depending upon various factors. However, nicely used on post card, the bisect is much, much scarcer. While I do not have a complete record of all bisect covers/cards I have sold in the last 50 years, I do not have a specific record of having had any bisects on card to other countries (though I am sure I must have had one or two). This is the only bisect on post card example I have been able to offer on the website from 2006 when I added this section to the website and now (2024). An very nice item!
165.00
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248032
18a, scarcer Green-Blue Printing [1901 4 Cent Perf 12.75 Bicolor] VF BISECT (upper left corner, stamp upside down) on full cover with very sharp strike of ST. THOMAS 21 January 1903 cancellation (SECOND DAY OF USE), used within St. Thomas. The envelope is typical of envelopes that spent many years in the DWI tropical environment; it has general aging and toning -- however, the stamp itself, and if it were cut out, the piece around it, are in excellent quality (and would sell as a piece for $50 if cut from the envelope!). Price only as a piece even though it is the full envelope.
50.00
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247980
16 November 1844, folded cover (no contents), from La Guayra (La Guaira, Venezuela), to London, England. Venezuelan yellowish-brown postmark (complete, but hard to read) and with manuscript "Paquete" marking (Packet [mail carrying ship]) and "via de Inglateria" which means via England, but in this case surely was intended to mean "via British mails". By mail boat to St. Thomas and then sent onward to London. Clear "ST. THOMAS" large (30 mm) double-line arc (DWI Mails #BR16b) postmark on reverse as usual. Red London 23 December arrival mark. Addressed to the famous merchant banker firm of (Frederico) Frederick Huth & Co. Huth specialized in Spanish-speaking overseas business. Usual filing folds. Most examples of this type of mail coming out of Venezuela that I have seen do not bear a Venezuelan postmark; this cover is thus more interesting. A very nice example of the role DWI played in the early mails of the region.
155.00
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245856
18a, Clear-Blue Printing [1901 4 Cent Perf 12.75 Bicolor] VF centered BISECT (lower left corner) on full cover with ST. THOMAS 27 April 1903 cancellation, used locally. Very decorative addressing in attractive RED ink. This is fairly late usage; though valid from 20 January through 23 May, most uses are in January or February. Very fresh and attractive.
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75.00
245857
18a, scarcer Green-Blue Printing [1901 4 Cent Perf 12.75 Bicolor] Average centered BISECT (upper left corner) on full cover with ST. THOMAS 24 January 1903 cancel (fifth day of use), used locally. Though the stamp is not well centered, every other aspect is excellent.
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39.00
242203
18a, scarcer Green-Blue Printing [1901 4 Cent Perf 12.75 Bicolor] VF BISECT (upper left corner) on full cover with ST. THOMAS 23 January 1903 cancel (in first week of use), used to Christiansted on the island of St. Croix, with both FREDERIKSTED transit and CHRISTIANSTED receiving postmarks, thus bearing the postmarks of all three major DWI post offices. Mild fold at center of cover, away from the stamps and postmarks. Very attractive.
70.00
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242204
18a, scarcer Green-Blue Printing [1901 4 Cent Perf 12.75 Bicolor] VF BISECT (upper left corner) on full cover with ST. THOMAS 22 January 1903 cancel (in first week of use), used locally. Slight aging. Very attractive with unusually neatly written address.
65.00
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242205
18a, scarcer Green-Blue Printing [1901 4 Cent Perf 12.75 Bicolor] VF BISECT (lower right corner) on full cover with ST. THOMAS 21 January 1903 cancel (second day of use), used locally. Attractive.
18a, scarcer Green-Blue Printing [1901 4 Cent Perf 12.75 Bicolor] F-VF BISECT (upper right corner) on full cover with ST. THOMAS 21 January 1903 cancel (second day of use), used locally. Attractive.
70.00
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242207
18a, scarcer Green-Blue Printing [1901 4 Cent Perf 12.75 Bicolor] F-VF BISECT (lower left corner) on full cover with ST. THOMAS 26 January 1903 cancel (first week of use), used locally. Very neat and attractive.
70.00
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242210
18a, Clear-Blue Printing [1901 4 Cent Perf 12.75 Bicolor] VF BISECT (upper right corner) on full cover with ST. THOMAS 21 January 1903 cancel (second day of use), used locally. Very decorative addressing. Wonderfully fresh and attractive.
75.00
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242211
18a, Clear-Blue Printing [1901 4 Cent Perf 12.75 Bicolor] VF BISECT (upper left corner) on full cover with ST. THOMAS 21 January 1903 cancel (second day of use), used locally. Two folds, both well away from the stamp and postmark. The addressing and appearance of this cover strongly suggest to me that it is a "genuine" real non-philatelic use -- such examples are quite unusual.
60.00
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242213
18a, Clear-Blue Printing [1901 4 Cent Perf 12.75 Bicolor] VF BISECT (upper right corner) on cover, reduced at bottom, with ST. THOMAS 27 January 1903 cancel (first week of use), used locally. Commercial return address handstamp (a bit unusual) and typewritten address (very unusual for bisect covers). Very attractive.
45.00
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242214
18a, Clear-Blue Printing [1901 4 Cent Perf 12.75 Bicolor] F-VF BISECT (upper right corner) on full cover, with ST. THOMAS 28 January 1903 cancel, to FREDERIKSTED on the island of St. Croix, with 29 January receiver postmark on reverse. Slight edge wear, but very nice and attractive.
60.00
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242215
18a, Clear-Blue Printing [1901 4 Cent Perf 12.75 Bicolor] VF BISECT (lower right corner) on full cover, with ST. THOMAS 30 January 1903 cancel, via CHRISTIANSTED, to West End (FREDERIKSTED), with transit and receiver postmarks on reverse. Worn, with central crease/tear (near the stamp, but not touching the stamp). However, still attractive in the album. By the appearance, and addressed to an attorney, one can imagine that this may be non-philatelic.
30.00
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242136
22 [1900 5 cent blue Arms] (VF+) on 3 April 1902 cover from "ST: THOMAS" to San Juan, Porto Rico, by the 5 cent inter-island rate for which this stamp was issued. Other than to Porto Rico and Guadeloupe, there were very few qualifying solo uses for this 5-cent stamp, thus the Facit 2020 on-cover value of SEK 4000! This example is neatly addressed and has PONCE and SAN JUAN, Porto Rico, backstamps. The cover was roughly opened at upper right resulting in some paper loss on the front, but it is very attractive and remarkably scarce.
285.00
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242137
6e, 7, 10c [1878-1890s Perf 14 x 13.5 Bicolors: 3c inverted frame, 4c normal frame, 10c inverted frame] (VF / F-VF) on beautiful 5 September 1896 registered cover to the U.S. Clear and sharp FREDERIKSTED sans-serif cancellations and well-struck (for these) vertical magenta DWI registry handstamp. Also with faint U.S. incoming registered mail number in greenish blue. Ten cents foreign postage rate with seven cents registry fee. Extremely thin paper envelope -- the thinnest I have ever seen from DWI -- to allow more weight for the contents (but a miracle that it survived in such great quality). Neatly opened on the left end. Clear U.S. backstamps; it reached New York in only seven days. If these were only single-colored stamps, we would call this a 3-color cover, but as bicolors it is a stunning 6-color cover! Wonderful example in every respect -- seldom seen so nice!
625.00
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242138
15 [1895 "10 / CENTS / 1895" surcharge on 50 cent Bicolor design] (VF+) solo use on beautiful 29 October 1909 registered cover from ST. THOMAS to the British Colony island country Montserrat, with "ST. KITTS" transit postmark on the reverse. Very clearly struck violet ST. THOMAS registry handstamp. Very neat and attractive in all respects. Addressed to "Rev. S. Meister" at Montserrat; however, his correct initial was L for Leonard. It has been confirmed that Reverend Meister was the Catholic priest on Montserrat from 1905 to 1910. It is known that Meister was a philatelist. With the St. Kitts transit postmark, we know that this cover has actually traveled through the mails. Whether it is of philatelic origin is not known to me, but it could easily be non-philatelic mailed to a philatelist as he bought stamps from many sources, and generally maintained a large correspondence, sent to him at his various church postings. There is a "cover hinge" (oversized stamp hinge) on the reverse that can be removed. Facit 2020 lists the solo use on cover at SEK 4000, however that is for either the basic foreign letter rate (the vast majority to the U.S. or Europe) or the domestic 3c rate plus 7c registration (seldom seen). However, this example is the 5c islands rate plus 5c registration, only possible starting 1 January 1902. This use in 1909 was after the 1905 conversion to Bits currency, however, the stamp remained valid (25 new bits = 5 old cents). As such, this is an extremely scarce use, rate, and destination. Most examples I have seen of this stamp on any type of covers are nowhere near this attractive. This example is certainly in the top echelon of quality and scarcity of use.
Private Ship Letter: St. Thomas to Bordeaux, France. 1845 January 26 folded letter, complete with contents, from ST. THOMAS (clear from dateline and contents), marked via ship "Jean Evariste", to BORDEAUX, France. There are no DWI postal markings or British mail packet related postal markings (no such markings are expected on a private ship letter). On front, Arriving first in France with red maritime entry "OUTRE-MER / PAVILLAC" 24 February postmark; I believe this to be the quarantine port for Bordeaux. Two French manuscript rate marks. On reverse 25 February BORDEAUX receiver. The content is a long business letter. Such private ship letters to France are unusual in this period; they were an attempt to avoid the high cost of the British packet mails, but perhaps with less reliability. Very neat and attractive; amazingly fresh for an item 173 years old!
190.00
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240571
1857 January 15 folded letter, without contents, from ST. THOMAS, via LONDON and CALAIS to PARIS, France, with all transit markings, etc. On reverse, originating ST. THOMAS 25 mm, sans-serif font and double half-circles at bottom "double line arc", with day and month, without code letter, January 15 1857 postmark (Facit #24 black; DWI MAILS 2000 BR17c). On front, Anglo-French accounting mark, black boxed "GB // 1F60C" (Facit #39 valued 2018 at SEK 800 premium, DWI MAILS 2000 #BR31 valued at $100 to $175 premium). Arriving in LONDON 31 January on reverse, then (on front) French black 1 February "ANGL. AMB. CALAIS B" transit for incoming mail from England, rated "8" decimes with French black handstruck postmark, and finally on reverse 1 February PARIS receiver. Very neat and attractive with clear postmarks.
155.00
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240575
29 [1903 2 cent Coat of Arms] (VF) solo use on 31 March 1904 picture post card (lithographed photo of Black Beard Castle / tower) from ST. THOMAS to the U.S. with LANCASTER, PA., receiving machine postmark. The card has a small crease and a sealed tear near (but not affecting!) the stamp. The card, being pre-1907, has an undivided back, and is without any publisher information. This stamp is scarce on cover/card; 2018 Facit value is SEK 1800 (11/2018 $230)! Very attractive!
120.00
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240579
U.S. Scott #1067 [1955 3 cent Armed Forces] (VF) on cover to the U.S. with 1955 CHRISTIANSTED, V.I. 7-wavy-line machine cancel.
7.00
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240580
U.S. Scott #C39 [1949 6 cent DC-4 Skymaster airmail] (VF) on cover to the U.S. with 1955 CHRISTIANSTED, V.I. 7-wavy-line machine cancel.
7.00
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240581
U.S. Scott #1067 [1955 3 cent Armed Forces] (VF) on cover to the U.S. with 1955 CHARLOTTE AMALIE, V.I. 7-wavy-line machine cancel.
7.00
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240582
U.S. Scott #C39 [1949 6 cent DC-4 Skymaster airmail] (VF) on cover to the U.S. with 1955 CHARLOTTE AMALIE, V.I. 7-wavy-line machine cancel.
7.00
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240583
U.S. Scott #1067 [1955 3 cent Armed Forces] (VF) on cover to the U.S. with June 6, 1955, CRUZ BAY 4-bar hand cancel. Cruz Bay covers are seldom offered.
18.00
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240543
1967 50th Anniversary of the Purchase of the Virgin Islands postal stationery card. FD canceled with official CHARLOTTE AMALIE, VI, Mar 31 1967 postmark. Unaddressed. Surprisingly hard to find if you are seeking it.
2.50
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240486
1844 April 29 folded letter, complete with contents, from ST. THOMAS, via LONDON and BOULOGNE to BORDEAUX, France, with all transit markings, etc. On reverse, originating ST. THOMAS 30 mm, with-serifs font and double half-circles at bottom "double line arc", with day and month, 29 April postmark (Facit #23 black; DWI MAILS 2000 BR16b). On front, Anglo-French accounting mark, red boxed "COLONIES / & c. ART. 12." (Facit #33 valued 2018 at SEK 4500 premium, DWI MAILS 2000 #BR28 valued at $450 to $750 premium -- this marking was used only during 1843-1845). Arriving in LONDON 23 May on reverse, then (on front) French red 25 May "ANGL. 2 / BOULOGNE 2" transit for incoming mail from England, rated "25" decimes by the French manuscript marking, and then on reverse 27 May BORDEAUX receiver. The content is a long business letter. Very neat and attractive.
21 June 1825 cover with complete letter, written in Spanish (unusual), mailed from St. Thomas, to London, received 5 August with fully dated British receiver. Nice strike of the framed, black "PACKET LETTER" postmark on reverse (as usual). Facit #9, DWI Mails #BR10a with 3 mm letters of Robertson type P3. (Facit incorrectly limits the period of use to 1818-22; 1815-1842 would be more appropriate.) British 2/2 rate marking on front. DWI Mails 2nd edition, pages32-37 discusses this interesting period in which there was no British post office at St. Thomas. Though not "rare", nice examples of this marking and use are hard to find.
210.00
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239926
ARGENTINA 6 centavos postal card sent 26 May 1894 from BUENOS AIRES, via RIO DE JANEIRO, via ST. THOMAS, to MEXICO, seemingly without a town name. In Mexico, first received in VERA CRUZ, then MEXICO D.F. (Mexico City), SUCORS, and finally received at LISTA, with all Mexican markings over a span of 5 days! This demonstrates a tremendous effort by the Mexican post office! Clear ST. THOMAS postmark, on front of card, showing transit through DWI. Quite unusual.
115.00
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234774
43, 44 Pair [1907-8 5 and 10 bit Frederik VIII] (F-VF, VF) on 26 July 1913 commercial cover from ST. THOMAS to the U.S. Opening tear at upper right corner, but does not affect the stamps. Attractive.
40.00
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234791
18a Green-Blue Printing [4 Cent Perf 12.75 Bicolor] F-VF BISECT (upper right corner) on cacheted cover (one of the less often seen cachets and printed upside down on the envelope too!). ST. THOMAS 21 January 1903 cancel, SECOND DAY OF USE.
140.00
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203962
PONTA DELGADA (Portuguese Colony) 1900 picture post card (nice working harbor scene) sent to France, via St. Thomas. The lower left corner of the stamp was rounded before applying to the card. Any type of card or cover from Ponta Delgada is quite unusual, however, a usage via DWI is a rarity.
150.00
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221503
14 April 1846 folded cover from St. Thomas to London, England, addressed to the General Treasurers of the Wesleyan Mission. The front shows 1s5d rating for the packet postage to London 1842-53. The reverse shows London receivers and a 30 mm black St. Thomas double-arc postmark. An attractive example.
225.00
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221504
2 May 1849 folded cover from St. Thomas to Hamburg, Germany. The front shows 1s1d rating for the postage to England and a red 30 for the rate to Hamburg, expressed in Lubeck skillings. The reverse shows London British transit, St.P.A. (Stadpost Amt) Hamburg receiving mark, and a 30 mm black St. Thomas double-arc postmark. An attractive example.
225.00
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239216
32 [1905 10 bit Christian IX] (F-VF) on 18 September 1907 picture post card from FREDERIKSTED, via ST. THOMAS, to the U.S. The card pictures the "Public Wharf", with Customs House (the main official building) in Christiansted (some wear on picture side; Lightbourn "St. Croix Series, No. 32.").
45.00
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239217
34 [1905 25 bit Christian IX] (F-VF) solo use on 23 June 1909 cover to the U.S. Very attractive and neat commercial use on small-size envelope.
120.00
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238021
U.S. Scott #2597 [1992 29 cent Eagle with red text] on 1994 business size envelope with "CHARLOTTE AMALIE, USVI 00801" machine cancel to the U.S.
Liberia 5c Alligator stamp on 9 November 1967 SHIP MAIL cover from the MV Almaflora (Monrovia, Liberian flag), posted with machine cancellation "CHARLOTTE AMALIE / V.I." and with 4-RING TARGET CANCEL. Also with violet "PAQUEBOT" handstamp. Appears to be philatelic, to the U.S.; with U.S. sorter markings on the backside, so it did go through the mail. The use of the 4-ring target cancellation is a surprise to me; I do not know if this is the same device still in use since the DWI days (but it sure looks like it) or if it is a later device.
30.00
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238024
45, 44 [1908 15, 10 bit Frederik VIII] (F-VF) on 15 February 1911 cover to the Montgomery Ward company in the U.S., with their receiver. Normal 25 bit foreign rate, but the 15 bit stamp is much scarcer on cover. Excellent quality; very attractive.
160.00
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237883
43 [1907 5 bit Frederik VIII] (Fine) on 4 August 1911 picture post card used within CHRISTIANSTED. Nice (hand?) colored card of :"Blue Beards Castle", with publisher imprint "Edwd. Fraas copyright. Series No. 23".
35.00
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237885
18a Green-Blue Printing [4 Cent Perf 12.75 Bicolor] VF BISECT (lower left corner) on full cover with ST. THOMAS 27 January 1903 cancel (in first week of use), used locally. Very attractive.
70.00
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234760
May 15, 1848, cover with complete letter, from St. Thomas to London. "ST. THOMAS" large (30 mm) double-line arc (DWI Mails #BR16b) postmark on reverse as usual. Marked "pr Steamer" and with "1/5" ship letter rate marking as far as Falmouth or Southampton. No indication of the base 2d rate beyond that point. Red London arrival mark. Very nice example from this era.
160.00
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234764
10, Facit #10f Print VI (Average-Fine, but damaged where over edge of envelope) on 1 November 1889 cover from ST. THOMAS to New York, with receiver. 2011 Facit value (in good condition) is SEK 3500 = $510 [1/2011]. Very fresh and attractive appearance.
85.00
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234765
10, Facit #10e Print V (damaged) on 18 November 1891 cover from ST. THOMAS to Penn Yan (a village in central western New York state), with receiver. 2011 Facit value (in good condition) is SEK 3500 = $510 [1/2011].
40.00
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234766
10c, Facit #10g Print VII Inverted Frame (Fine) on 31 December 1899 cover from FREDERIKSTED to the U.S., with NY transit and NEWPORT, KENTUCKY receiver. Upper left corner of cover repaired (well away from stamp). Even by the turn of the century, it is unusual to find DWI covers to areas away from the usual business centers. 2011 Facit value (in good condition) is SEK 3500 = $510 [1/2011].
195.00
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234770
34 [1905 25 bit Christian IX] (F-VF) on 19 March 1917 commercial cover from ST. THOMAS to the U.S. Used less than two weeks before the U.S. purchase of the islands, this is remarkably late genuine commercial use of this stamp issue. Backside of envelope with some mounting damage, but the scarcity of the late use is quite important. Facit 2011 value for ordinary use is SEK 1000 = $145 [1/2011].
120.00
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234777
44 [1908 10 bit Frederik VIII] (F-VF) on 2 May 1914 picture post card (beautiful woman, German printed) from FREDERIKSTED to the U.S.
7c [4 Cent Perf 14 Bicolor] F-VF BISECT (lower left corner) on full small cover: Superb FREDERIKSTED 27 March 1903 cancel. Bisect covers canceled at Frederiksted are scarcer than those canceled at St. Thomas. Very fresh and attractive example.
225.00
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234786
7c [4 Cent Perf 14 Bicolor] VF BISECT (upper left corner) on full yellow-colored cover: FREDERIKSTED 11 April 1903 cancel. Bisect covers canceled at Frederiksted are scarcer than those canceled at St. Thomas. Very fresh and attractive example.
215.00
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234792
18a Green-Blue Printing [4 Cent Perf 12.75 Bicolor] VF BISECT (upper left corner) on full, unaddressed cover, with firm cachet of FECHTENBURG, listed in DWI Mails as a probable forwarder.. ST. THOMAS 27 January 1903 cancel.