Continuing with my interest in NYS County Postmarks, I recently acquired these 2 very early examples from the Robert A. Siegel Auction in December 2010. I believe they are both ex-Hahn since his notes accompanied the lots.

Maltaville #1 (Saratoga County) existed from August 17, 1827 until it was discontinued on March 18, 1830. It was reestablished as Maltaville #2 on October 23, 1830 and finally discontinued on February 15, 1908.

According to a photocopy of part of an article from the Postal History Journal (October 1991): "A red oval without rim marking is found used at Malta Ville, Saratoga County. This marking is 35 x 25 mm ..... (The cancel) was used only during the first period (of the post office). ...Two...covers are all that have been reported to date. The item asks the Reverend Smith if he would consider coming to be the Malta Ville preacher."

The same Postal History Journal article illustrated this Fort Ann (Washington County) stampless cover. Hahn's notes report that there are 2 different ovals known, in different configurations. "This a letter prepaid 10 cents and unpaid 10 cents because it was double weight. It enclosed $2 in bills to pay taxes so even a triple rating would have been justified."