18c Dual Service Northern Assurance Backstamped Mail
OVERVIEW
This is an authentic 1949 commercial airmail special delivery cover sent from Toledo Ohio to Alton Illinois.
Originating from The Blair Agency representing Northern Assurance Company this piece documents expedited postwar business correspondence using a precise 18 cent dual service rate.
FRANKING & POSTAL HISTORY
The cover is franked with a full block of six 3 cent Grand Army of the Republic commemorative stamps positively identified as United States Scott 985.
The 18 cent total pays the correct combined service of 6 cents for domestic airmail plus the 12 cent special delivery fee in effect beginning January 1 1949.
The stamps are tied by a Toledo Ohio hand applied duplex cancel dated September 25 1949 at 8 PM featuring a barred oval killer containing the numeral 3.
Dispatched from Toledo the cover bears a purple VIA AIR MAIL Special Delivery handstamp and was processed upon arrival in Alton with a receiving backstamp confirming an 18 hour point to point transit. Addressed to Mrs G W Hazel in Alton Illinois the printed return address remarkably shows the sender was an Alton based agent mailing the letter back to his home city while on the road.
CONTEXT & COLLECTOR APPEAL
Scott 985 commemorates the Final National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic giving this piece strong veteran and commemorative crossover appeal.
The use of six examples as a commercial block on an accurately rated airmail special delivery cover is significantly more desirable than standard single frankings.
The Northern Assurance corner card adds corporate history value while the unusual out of city mailing anomaly and confirmed 18 hour transit time elevate this piece for advanced postal history collectors.
ITEM SPECIFICS
Country: United States
Year: 1949
Type: Airmail Special Delivery Cover
Topic: GAR Block Airmail Special Delivery Postal History
Theme: Commercial Postal History
Subject: Northern Assurance Dual Service Mail
Era: Post WWII (1945-1969)
Occasion: Commercial Expedited Transit
Region: Toledo OH to Alton IL
Scott Number: 985
Stamp Color: Bright Rose Carmine
Denomination: 3 Cents x 6
Perforation: 10.5 x 11
Printing Method: Rotary Press Intaglio
Cover Stock/Paper Type: Standard Commercial Envelope
Cancellation Type/Date: Toledo Hand Applied Duplex September 25 1949
Custom SKU: US-1949-TOL-AL-GAR-SPD
CONDITION
Original commercial used condition with normal handling and postal wear.
The envelope shows a standard opening tear along the top edge.
The block of six Scott 985 stamps remains sound and cleanly tied by the Toledo duplex cancel.
The airmail special delivery markings are bold and legible and the reverse receiving backstamp provides clear transit confirmation.
Please review photographs carefully for exact condition details.