The World's Fair Collection of The 1898 Trans-Mississippi Issue continued...

FINE-VERY FINE CENTERING AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. ONE OF THREE RECORDED COVERS BEARING A COMPLETE SET OF THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI ISSUE. A SPECTACULAR EXHIBITION ITEM AND ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT UNITED STATES COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE COVERS EXTANT.

Although it has been reported that four covers exist with all nine values of the Trans-Mississippi Issue, we have been able to locate only three covers. The Neil-Rosenthal book, The Trans-Mississippi Issue of 1898, states more than once that four covers are known, but the census on page 167 lists the October 7 cover to London twice among the four entries. While it is possible that a fourth cover exists, we do not have any record of it. The three we record are: 1) July 18, 1898, New York Madison Square Branch to Munich, Germany, G. B. Calman corner card, ex Rosenthal, the cover offered here; 2) Oct. 4, 1898, Exposition Sta. Omaha Neb. datestamp, to St. Johns, Newfoundland, ex Saffin, Christie’s Sep. 1982; and 3) Oct. 7, 1898, New York Sta. P to London, England, ex McCoy and Dr. Martin (Siegel Sale 893, lot 156, realized $47,500 hammer).

Ex Rosenthal. Illustrated in the Neil-Rosenthal book (p. 160). With 1986 P.F. certificate. (Image)

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