Encased Postage Stamps
Pleasing Thirty Cent Denomination John Gault Plain Frame
EP-178, HB-139, S-100, Reed JG30. Thirty Cents. J. GAULT. Plain Frame. Choice About Extremely Fine.
Rated as Rarity-6 (16 to 20 known) according to Fred Reed. Pleasing and attractive, this is the most afordable merchant to acquire the 30¢ denomination in the Encased Postage Stamps series. The 1863 United States issue orange Benjamin Franklin stamp is of superior quality and attractive for this Thirty Cents denomination. It is centered a bit towards the upper portion and it appears even in color having a very original look. This John Gault merchant type being the most affordable available to collectors wishing to find an example, perhaps to complete a full Encased Postage Stamp denomination set. The mica is clear and unbroken showing just the most trivial of surface internal lamination craze primarily at the upper left and light expected circulation friction. The case is a pleasing natural olive-chestnut in color. Its clean smooth surfaces displaying faint circulation and having clear sharp reverse legends which read, in full: “PAT. AUG 18, 1862. - J. GAULT.” We have sold only three prior examples at auction all were graded EF including: EAHA January 17, 1998 Lot 473 sold at $3,450; August 26, 2000 Lot 656 sold at $3,738 and March 27, 2010 Lot 613 selling for $2,710. This current Thirty Cents example is pleasing and desirable.