Lot 9
U.S. 1847, 5¢ red brown (1), two horizontal strips of three, large margins to slightly in, position. 78-80 and 88-90, showing Double Transfers A & B, originally a block of six, canceled by uncommon 7-bar red grids of New York on triple rate 1850 folded cover to St. Catharines, C.W., red "New-York Jan. 17" c.d.s. and black Queenston exchange each tie a strip, manuscript. "1/6"d due, three stamps creased by vertical file folds, lettersheet with light silking, Fine appearing showpiece, very rare.
Estimate 5,000 - 7,500
A RARE CROSS-BORDER USAGE AS WELL AS IMPORTANT ON COVER POSITION MULTIPLES.
This cover would seem to be quite similar to the cover in lot 105, a U.S. triple rate and a Canadian quadruple rate, except that this cover traveled over 300 miles, thereby doubling the postage. However, the U.S. postal rate changed on March 3, 1849, whereby the charge is one rate for each of the first two half ounces, then two rates for each ounce or fraction thereof. It would seem, therefore, the cover should have had 40¢ postage. One possible explanation would be that the sender felt the envelope weighed just over one ounce, and, not being aware of the rate change, assumed it would be a triple rate. When the cover was actually weighed by the U.S. Post Office, they found it to weigh just under one ounce. The cover, therefore, was considered fully paid. Upon arrival in Canada, their Post Office determined the weight at a fraction over the one ounce and so charged the four times rate.
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| Realized $18,000 |
