Lot 135
1856, 5¢ red brown (12), margins to just in at right, tied by "New Orleans La. Feb 16" c.d.s. on folded prices current (printed on both sides) to Gènes (Genoa), Sardinia, reverse with "Boston Br. Pkt. Feb 23", red London (3.9) and red Genoa (3.13) backstamps, Calais (3.10) transit on front with framed "G B / 1F 60C" debit handstamp and manuscript "10" (décimes) due rating; small cover tear at top, still Very Fine. The 5¢ British open mail rate via British packet, plus 10 décimes due for postage from England to Italy.
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000
AN ATTRACTIVE 5¢ 1856 ISSUE USE DURING THE THREE MONTHS PERIOD TO ITALY.
On January 1, 1857, a new postal treaty between Great Britain and France went into effect reducing the French due charges on mail transiting through Britain. On April 1, 1857, a new treaty between the United States and France went into effect standardizing rates between the two countries at 15¢ per ¼ ounce. The period between these two rate changes is referred to as the "Three Months Period." Only sixteen British and seven American packets carrying mail for France and beyond departed during this period. This letter was exchanged at New York City and carried on the tenth sailing during the Three Month period by Cunard Line steamer Africa, which departed from New York on February 18 and arrived at Liverpool on March 2.
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