Blood's Penny Post — Blood's combination cover with octagonal Phil. postmatk

Philadelphia Local Post — Blood’s Penny Post — 3¢ 1857 U.S. Issue — Octagonal Philadelphia Handstamp — May 8, 8 A.M.

An appealing and historically interesting combination cover featuring Blood’s Penny Post of Philadelphia, with its distinctive local-post adhesive and a U.S. 3¢ 1857 Washington stamp, Scott #26.

The principal attraction is the Blood’s Penny Post stamp, bearing the boxed BLOOD’S Penny Post, PHILADA. inscription. The adhesive is positioned inverted in the upper-left corner of the envelope and displays the characteristic orange-brown acid cancellation associated with Blood’s local-post stamps. This unusual canceling method was intended to prevent reuse of the local stamp and adds considerable postal-history interest.

Equally noteworthy is the bold octagonal Philadelphia handstamp struck at the lower left, reading MAY 8, 8 A.M. A very faint PHILAD. marking appears beneath the date. Despite the worn impression, the distinctive octagonal outline and lettering remain discernible. The matching Philadelphia marking partially tying the U.S. adhesive provides an additional postal-history connection.

The red 3¢ Washington, Scott #26, 1857 issue, pays the U.S. postage. The combination of a Blood’s local-post adhesive and a federal postage stamp illustrates the relationship between Philadelphia’s independent local delivery service and the national postal system.

Addressed to Miss [first name unclear] Brothers, Columbus Iron Works, Danville, Montour County, Pennsylvania. The manuscript address adds an industrial and geographic destination interest.

Condition: Original orange-brown envelope with attractive period handwriting, a well-preserved Blood’s handstamp impression, and a clear central date. The cover exhibits the usual signs of age and postal handling. The U.S. stamp shows cancellation and some edge/perforation wear. Please examine the accompanying photographs for the precise condition of the adhesive, markings, and envelope.

A desirable postal-history item for collectors of Blood’s Penny Post, Philadelphia local posts, 1850s U.S. classic covers, octagonal postmarks, and the transition between local delivery services and the federal mails.