US Locals - Swart's City Dispatch 1

General Zachary Taylor

 Swart's City Dispatch Post, New York City, N. Y.

Established by Aaron Swarts in 1845, becoming one of the largest local posts in the country.

This post was recognized as Branch “ B” of the U. S. Post Office, New York City.

In early 1849 they acquired Bouton's City Dispatch and the first stamps are very similar to Swart's. Around 1856 the business was sold .

The first issue features the "likeness" of Zachary Taylor

Genuine issues

There are 4 recognized types with distinct features.

Above types I, II, III & IV

Type I has fine shading lines, no major flaws and a distinct facial expression

Type II is much rougher with thick shading lines. It is recognized by the pronounced dash between the forehead and the N

Type III is also rough and has distinct plate scratches. The diagonal scratches are most noticeable in the area around SWARTS

Above a Type III block with distinct scratch marks

Type IV is a very clean printing similar to the Type I

Transfer types

Top row left to right

Type 1, left leg of the R in READY is broken

Type II, the lower right leg of the H in ROUGH has a small spur. There is a dark spot over the first S in SWARTS

Type III, There is a dot over the I in CITY

Lower row

Type IV, a dot and flaw in the P of DISPATCH

Type V, the top left corner has a white flaw

Type VI, there is a break in the ribbon over the S of SWARTS

The 2nd printing from the first stone was not red  but black on a dull green glazed paper

I have seen very few examples of this variety and some may wrongly consider it is one of the Taylor color varieties

Reprints

The reprint is apparently based on the Type III original. information. 

The reprint shows the scratches well and overall is in poor condition.

It mat have been produced by Hussey.

Forgeries

Forgery A

Possibly created by Scott

The center line in the H of ROUGH is broken as is the center arm of the E in RERADY

There is a long line on the forehead above the eye

Forgery Type A variety

Basically as the above bur there is no break in the H or E

It is apparently only in blue

Forgery B

Similar to Forgery A

Wedge shaped line between R & E of ready

The D of AND is small

The shading lines in the oval are even and very clear

There is a line on the forehead above the eye

Shows up in S. Taylor inventory

Forgery C

Attributed to Taylor

No dots in the far corners

Very crude face

This forgery comes in at least 10 color combinations

Forgery D

The letters around the head are small

There are 2 color dots on the temple left of the ear

The face has a stern look

Forgery D block

Forgery E

The letters CITY DISPATCH POST are much thicker than other forgeries

The facial expression is unique and key

The vertical lines above the top first S extend into the S

Forgery F 

Listed as Moens

Key feature is the very light printing

Note the left one is the forgery but the right one is the image in the 1864 Moens catalog which is not lightly printed.

The other stamps in the series will be covered in part II of Swarts' City Dispatch