#207, F+, sound, tied by XF-superb Skull & Crossbones in Circle killer (Whitfield 170), WORCESTER MASS 12 26 81 TOB postmark, on unreduced cover to Hartford CT. 2010 PFC incorrectly notes missing piece at top (only a tear), soiling. This is the unique on cover example of this spectacular Worcester fancy killer.

#158, VF, clipped perf at UR, canceled by a superb SOTN strike of fancy "Shoe Heel" killer composed of the image of a shoe with the word "HEEL" on essentially intact cover with blind embossed corner card, SHOE HEEL N.C. DEC 6 postmark. This is one of the most fantastic Banknote issue mnemonic fancy cancels that exists on cover and is probably unique.  Shoe Heel, a DPO, is now Maxton in Robeson County. The Maxton area was first settled in the 18th century. The community was incorporated in 1874 under the name Shoe Heel.  The name changed to Tilden, in honor of 1876 President candidate Samuel J. Tilden. The name reverted to Shoe Heel in 1881 before finally settling on Maxton in 1887.  A wonderful exhibit piece, 2024 PFC.

#213, fine, tone spot at top, canceled by a VF strike of rare and spectacularly unusual large bare footprint killer (Cole HF-1), VF EAGLE MILLS N.Y. JUL 15 1889 postmark (DPO Rensselaer County 1842-1915), on cover reduced 6mm at left.  I am only aware of a single other example of this killer (postmarked JUL 8 1889 and discussed in USCC NEWS, 257, NOV 2005, p. 119, and sold in the 2011 Kelleher sale 623 of the Beane Family Collection, lot 1173 realizing $2415).  The Cole tracing indicates usage on 1893 Columbian issues, which is confirmed by a JUL 24 1895 cover to England pictured in USCC NEWS, 327, NOV 2023, p. 98.  Notably, however, the killer on this later cover appears slightly different with distinct carving striations in the footprint that may indicate a separate, new killer or a recarving of the original 1889 killer.  A wonderful late Banknote fancy cancel.

#156, fine strip of 3 tied by two strikes of NASHVILLE TENN. DEC 23 postmark and VF strikes of outlined man's head fancy killer (Whitfield 229, unattributed, this verifying the source) on embossed intact local cover, small corner fault at upper right.  Obviously a very scarce head/face fancy cancel.

#158, F+, sound, tied by XF SOTN strike of unusual serrated circle/starburst killer (most likely Whitfield 3845, unattributed) with BRISTOL R.I. NOV 18 postmark on VF cover to Peoria, IL, small neat reduction at left.

#157, fine, sound, PHILADELPHIA PA DEC 11 postmark ties to XF intact corner advertising cover for The Philadelphia Maritime Exchange with great image of fully rigged steamship. Wonderful ship imagery.

#158, #153, #154, fine sound copies, PATERSON, NJ MAY 23 (1873 docketing) postmark and SL "REGISTERED", on VF intact legal size cover to Richmond, VA. This is a rare, colorful combination use of high value Banknotes on a registered cover. Combined Scott catalog for these stamps on cover exceeds $2000.  According to docketing at left, the cover contained bonds. Very nice and exceptional.

#158 SE, PHILADELPHIA PA SEP 22 postmark with numeral 3 target on intact illustrated notions dealer advertising cover, images of 1876 Centennial Exhibition buildings, Memorial Hall on front, Main Exhibition Building on back. Central vertical crease ending with some erosion at bottom.  A very scarce use of Centennial Exhibition and advertising combination.

#158, fine, sound, canceled by a VF-XF strike of blue Chicago pool table fancy killer (Berg PT), MAR 30 (1874) postmark on VF intact cover. Only three cover examples of this rare killer are reported on #158, the killer notedly used less than two weeks, March 20-31, 1874. A gem cover and exceptionally rare fancy cancel.  An absolute must item for the serious collector of "Chicago blue" cancellations.  Ex-Piszkiewicz.

#158, XF, sound, tied by VF+ strike of letter G in square & compass killer, TOPSHAM, Me. DEC 1 postmark on VF cover, neatly opened at left. Killer unlisted in major references. A very attractive Masonic fancy cancel cover. Ex-Clark.

#148, fine, sound, blue CHICAGO & DUN. [Dunleath] R.P.O., MAY 27 postmark (Towle & Meyer 690-D-2) with matching blue incised star killer on slightly reduced cover to Montreal, Canada, back stamped, docketed 1871.

#146a, diagonal 2¢ National issue bisect paying a 1¢ drop rate on intact cover (flap reattached) postmarked ST. FRANCISVILLE, LA, OCT 4, addressed "Present" containing printed, October 10, 1872 dated "Social Club Soiree" invitation. Very scarce, Scott catalog $800. 2021 PFC mentions staining.

#158, VF, tiny faults, bearing an XF SOTN strike of small skull and crossbones fancy killer (Cole SK-18), MONTICELLO, IL JUL 24 postmark, on Illinois Industrial University corner, small reduction at left. Rare killer.

A wonderful selection 13 Chicago 1870s covers, all from the well known W.W. Kimball company to J. S. White & Co., Marshall, Mich.  Each cover is in the same all over advertising design for Kimball's Pianos, Organs, Melodeons and Piano Fortes.  Each cover bears a fine or better strike of a different Chicago fancy killer (12 in blue, one in black).  Many have original dated content.  Covers have intact backs with small reductions at right.  Stamps are generally sound.  Included killers (using the Berg classifications, link to each cover image): checker board and grid CB-1(content); checker board and grid CB-31; slit line on diagonal SLD-2 (content); square of right triangles SRT-6; arrow feather AF-4 (content); arrow feather AF-5 (content); arrow feather AF-13 (content); oval OV-17 (content); oval OV-18 (content);  oval OV-20 variety; square of solid triangles SST-4 (content); four bar 4-B variety (content); black square of diagonals SOD-6 (content).  A terrific opportunity to acquire representative examples of these popular Banknote killers.

#147, average sound pair, tied by VF-XF blue CHICAGO & DUN. [Dunleath] R.P.O., JUN 5 postmark (Towle & Meyer 690-D-2) with matching blue shield fancy killer (Berg SHD-1) on intact cover to Montreal, Canada, back stamped, docketed 1871.

#156, fine bottom margin copy, sound, tied by a F-VF strike of blue Chicago geometric killer (Berg GEO-53, reported use, 8/24-28/75) on VF unsealed circular with promotion for "The Great Inter-State Exposition of Chicago 1875" on reverse. Nice.

#210, fine, sound, tied by VF+ strike of large elaborate waving flag fancy cancel (Cole FL-4, rare), ENFIELD, CONN, JUN 10, 1885 postmark and star in circle killer on intact cover (the flag killer was always applied in addition to the duplexed star), tiny nick at upper left. This cover realized $425 plus buyer's commission in Siegel sale 1215 (12/17/2019).  One of the great fancy cancellations available for the 2¢ red brown issue.

#184, faults, F-VF strike of rare GREENSLANDING, ME (Green's Landing, DPO Hancock County 1854-97), MAR 12 elongated metal oval with screw heads postmark on fine cover, opened at right affecting stamp.  The stamp killer is a large screw head. This postmark is illustrated as Whitfield 7214 and the killer as Whitfield 2908. A nice example of this unique and very unusual postmark/killer.

#210, fine, tied by superb bold strike of circular geometric killer with VF PROVIDENCE, R.I., DEC 17 85, 4 PM Wesson TOB postmark on intact Numismatist corner advertising cover. Stamp with small perf faults from close placement to edge.

#159, VF pair, #156, SE, paying 3¢ postage plus 8¢ registry rate from PITTSBURGH, PA to Roxbury, MA, stamps tied by VF strikes of blue straight line REGISTERED on intact cover, blue Pittsburgh postmark on intact canary envelope.

#156 and #157, fine copies, tied by two strikes of blue CHICAGO, IL 4-bar killer (Berg type 4-B), DEC 17 postmark, on fine cover, neatly opened at right, minor tone spot at top.

#210, F-VF, small faults, grayish blue killer with matching ALB. KING & N.Y. R.P.O., JAN 1886 postmark on VF intact cover to Columbus, Ohio.

#158, XF, single short perf, tied by an XF strike of anchor fancy killer (Whitfield 684, Cole N-11) with NASHUA, N.H. postmark on unreduced cover to Milton, NH. Two small tears and missing half of right folded panel on reverse.