George H. Worthington

I was reading Nassau Street by Herman (Pat) Herst for the umpteenth time and focused on the story of George H. Worthington of Cleveland, Ohio.

He was an industrialist of the early part of the 20th century and had many business interests. He wanted to be more a part of Cleveland’s high society and someone recommended he buy fine art as a means to that end. On a trip to London he did just that but happened by Stanley Gibbons and purchased some rare stamps. Long story short, over 20 years or so he acquired a fabulous philatelic collection!

Alas, his business fortunes turned south and he had to sell off the collection to pay debts. Alfred Lichtenstein purchased the bulk of it. Poor George died not long thereafter, in a small hotel, broken in body and spirit by the loss of his stamps.

Here are a couple of links if you want more of the story:

http://www.omagdigital.com/display_article.php?id=682187

http://siegelauctions.com/2013/1052/30c_History.pdf

 

I don’t collect covers or parcel post. But I saw this on eBay and ‘had to have it.’ It is between Mr. Worthington and Warren Colson. Mr. Colson ('Colson of Boston') was a well-known stamp specialist and dealer of that era. He sold many items to Worthington and also worked with him on the former’s vast collection.

Mr. Colson wrote several books including Postage Stamps and Their Collection. His newsletter, Postage Stamps for Advanced Collectors ran for 50 years! Here is more on Mr. Colson:

https://www.americanstampdealer.com/SubMenu/Warren_Howard_Colson.aspx?id=450

I wonder what the contents of the cover were. What would 2-cents parcel post carry in those days?

 

I can see why you "had to have it". Not only is it a correspondence between two historical figures, but it is also an example of parcel post stamps being used on cover. It most likely didn't carry anything that would warrant the usage of this type of stamp.

 

Howdy, Hoch!

I don't know parcel post but was sort of thinking the same thing. Why on such a cover? Worthington apparently received many approval offers, probably some from Colson. But how would that elicit parcel post, if even so? Perhaps just meant as a bit of a novelty from Colson to Worthington?

 

Yes, it was likely a collector inspired usage. There was a period of time where parcel post stamps on ordinary mail was ignored by the USPOD. Such usages today are sought by modern collectors.

 

It's a bit hard to read, but I think it says April 4, 1914. You are correct about the usage. I think I have even seen some modern covers with one of them on it.

 

Thank you for the information, Werner!

Yes, date is April 4, 1914. Eagle Eyes Hoch!

 

I am back in the philatelic saddle, tho it will take me a couple weeks to get fully in the swing. A six-week project turned into seven months. I've spent most of the summer just 'hanging out.'

My main interest for now remains covers of stamp dealers and famous collectors and building a solid philatelic library. I'll soon do a couple reviews of books I've purchased recently.

(Looks like many new members of StampExchange! I hope the oldies-but-goodies are still about - <Hoch> <James> <DonSellos> and others.)

Here is a nice cover from George Worthington (collector) to J.M. Bartels (dealer). The tri-color appeals to me. It is dated 9-18-1908. Cheers!

 

Buna, Pistol. As you've discovered already, there are so many interesting paths to follow in stamp collecting.

I am curious - I suppose there are many stamps with images of Ceausescu and perhaps even 'mother' Irina. Are they popular or perhaps shunned because of the damage he did to your country?

 

Here are two additions to my Stamp Dealers/Famous Collectors/Authors cover collection.

Neither is particularly noteworthy although the Morgenthau is a nice tri-color. But they were all I could find on these two old-time dealers.

A bit on Morgenthau here:

http://www.americanstampdealer.com/SubMenu/Julius_Ceasor_Morgenthau.aspx?id=264

Not much on George Tuttle, but he is mentioned in Harlow’s Paper Chase, wondering if that guy Carroll Chase is perhaps a bit off his rocker!

https://books.google.com/books?id=k...=onepage&q=george tuttle stamp dealer&f=false

Chase of course received great fame in U.S. Philately for his study of the 3-cent stamp of the 1851 series. As you can see here it has been quite extensively studied over the years and is still the topic of much discussion!

http://www.uspcs.org/stamps-covers/uspod-issued-adhesives/the-1851-1860-issue/1851-3c-issue/