Lot 2037
1851, 12¢ black (17), block of four, large margins with portion of adjoining stamps at bottom, slightly in at top right, tied by "Chicago, Ills May 13" c.d.s. on 1856 orange cover to U.S. Ship Constellation, care of the U.S. Consul in Spezzia, Sardinia, manuscript "by mail steamer to Liverpool, England", red "New-York Am. Pkt. May 17" credit backstamp, red boxed "Aachen 3 6 / Franco", maroon "Via Disvizzera" routing handstamp with matching "P.D." and "Franca", Genova Jun 8, 1856 transit backstamp, magenta manuscript "15" credit rating crossed out and rerated in blue, photocopy of original enclosure retained by the family; few opening tears at top, Very Fine appearance.
Estimate 10,000 - 15,000
THIS IS ONE OF ONLY FIVE OR SIX RECORDED BLOCKS ON COVER.
The block of four overpays the 38¢ Prussian closed mail rate to Sardinia by 10¢. The sender most likely prepaid the the French Mail 42¢ double rate, as this was the highest possible rate and provided the quickest transit time. Two other covers from the Graham correspondence were single rate letters using pairs that prepaid the 21¢ French mail rate.
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| Realized $21,000 |
