Postage stamp issue 1 July 1870

A larger, stained cover with significant traces of carriage and aging, two stamps have obviously fallen off, and the four stamps existing are not in the best condition either. On the plus side, there is a strip of four of a quite rare Bavaria stamp; the sender of the cover is the U.S. Consulate in Munich, and the important court documents were obviously carried in the cover.

Let’s be more precise about the plus side: It is a strip of four of the 12 Kr. dark brown-purple of the postage stamp issue of 1 July 1870, showing the Bavarian coat of arms – and the only known strip of four of this stamp on cover. With unique items, a collector is quite willing to overlook quality issues. Ultimately, the only question is: Do I want it – then I have to take it as it is – or do I not? What are the chances that another example emerges? It’s been nearly 151 years since this cover reached the clerk of the District Court in Sherman, Texas – a long time. If it takes the same amount of time for a second piece to show up, the buyer can enjoy his unique piece for many years. 

Such a cover raises, of course, the question of what contents were carried here. Maybe one of our collector friends in Texas has an idea where the Sherman / Crayson County court records from 1871 are located?