The "Erivan" Collection of United and Confederate States Part V

47X3, Knoxville, TN, 10c Green, full margins and fresh color, tied by two light strikes of Knoxville cds to bluish green cover addressed to Ashland, Virginia, cover with left backflap removed and slightly reduced at right, stamp lifted to check laid lines of paper and hinged back into place, Extremely Fine, this is the only example of this stamp on or off cover, thereby making it one of the greatest icons of Confederate philately, featured in Life Magazine in 1954 and with an impeccable provenance, 1993 Philatelic Foundation certificate does not accompany (Scott $57,750 based on 1997 auction realization)rnAccording to Charles J. Phillips, this unique cover was obtained by O.D. Walbridge of Marseilles, Illinois in about 1886. Walbridge sold the cover to J.S. Smith of Oak Park in September of 1892, who sold it to F.T. Hoyt in October of the same year. From there the cover has graced the most important collections of the 20th Century, including Count Philipp von Ferrary, Alfred H. Caspary, Josiah K. Lilly, and now Erivan Haub. This cover last appeared in the 1997 R.A. Siegel Rarities of the World sale, making this its first appearance on the market in 24 years. rnThe designs of both the 5c and 10c Knoxville provisionals were engraved on wood and reproduced as stereotypes or electrotypes, although beyond this very little is known about the production of the stamps (including the sheet layout and size). While both shades of the 5c Knoxville adhesive are scarce on cover, the fact that a second example of the 10c Green has not revealed itself in the 135 years this stamp has been known to collectors speaks to its rarity and fame.rnProvenance: Count Philipp von Ferrary (Gilbert Sale, 1922)rnAlfred H. Caspary (H.R. Harmer Sale 990, 1956)rnJosiah K. Lilly (R.A. Siegel Sale 317, 1967)rnRarities of the World (R.A. Siegel Sale 778, 1997)Confederate States Postmasters' Provisionals