Lot 614
1861, 90¢ blue (72), fresh and well-centered, tied by target cancel on 1866 printed business announcement to Shanghai, China, postmarked Baltimore Md. c.d.s. with manuscript "Via Marseilles", red London Paid transit c.d.s. (Aug 1) and red crayon "2" (double rate) and three different manuscript credits: "68" corrected to "48" and finally to "96", backstamped Shanghai (Sep 26); stamp with a couple slightly short perfs, still Very Fine.
Estimate 40,000 - 50,000
A HANDSOME AND IMPORTANT USAGE, ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS COVERS FROM THE AUGUSTINE HEARD FIND.
Expertization: 1983 PF Certificate.
Provenance: Newbury, Baker
Illustrated: Brookman, p. 238 (1947)
The rate was 53¢ per half ounce (a total of $1.06) via Marseilles; the 16¢ deficiency would have been paid by the addressee. Had the cover been routed via Southampton, where the rate was 45¢ per half ounce, the 90¢ stamp would have satisfied full prepayment.
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| Realized $23,000 |
