Lot 520
1862 (May 28) cover (with original enclosure) to Helston in Cornwall (June 13), redirected to Redruth (June 29) and after several unsuccessful attempts at delivery, returned to sender, showing various c.d.s., including "N. York/Am Pkt/21" c.d.s. (May 31) and "Returned/LOBH./London" c.d.s. (July 7), the envelope then resealed and placed in printed "Post Office Department/ Returned Letter Office/ Due 6 cents" (deleted and changed to "30") envelope to Cheshire Mines. These envelopes were introduced for uniform use during the Civil War when the disruptions resulted in a plethora of returned letters, and the envelopes had pre-printed values which were normally for domestic letters, thus this provisional change of rate contrary to regulations is apparently unique, only seven Post Office Department envelopes are recorded with returned letters; also 1857 (Apr. 20) "P.O. business" printed folded letter to Springfield, Mass. advising of detained letter for non-payment of postage showing "San Francisco, Cal./Free" c.d.s.
Estimate 200 - 300
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| Realized $240 |
