Sale 1357 — 2025 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Wednesday, 25 June, 2025
Category — 1869 Pictorial Issue, incl. the Steven Walske One-Frame Exhibit Collection of 1869 Pictorial Issue
2c Brown (113). Block of 25, original gum, many stamps Mint N.H. including the middle block of nine, hinging generally on the outer stamps, bright color, few minor toned spots, top center stamp tiny thin spot, some short perfs at bottom left
FINE APPEARANCE. AN ATTRACTIVE LARGE MULTIPLE OF THE 2-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE.
Any multiple of eight or more of the 2c 1869 Pictorial is scarce to rare. This block of 25 is the largest we have offered in recent years (a block of 70 was offered in our 2011 Rarities sale and was subsequently broken up).
Ex Clippert. With 1989 P.F. certificate. SCV $19,900 as hinged blocks, pairs and single.
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II, Center Inverted (119b). Bright colors, unusually choice centering for this difficult invert with perfs clear of design on all sides, bold strike of cork cancel, trace of red cancel at lower left
FINE. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST USED EXAMPLES OF THE 15-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE INVERT. IT IS SOUND, THE COLORS ARE FRESH AND THE CENTERING IS BETTER THAN MOST. ONLY 13 USED COPIES ARE CONFIRMED AS SOUND, BUT MANY ARE POORLY CENTERED.
Our census of Scott 119b at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/119b records three unused and 104 used copies (there are an additional three used examples of Scott 119c). Two of the used copies are in institutions — the Tapling Collection at The British Library and the Miller Collection at The New York Public Library. Only 13 are confirmed as sound. An additional nine have not been seen in many years so their condition is unknown, but most have poor centering. Of the 13 sound copies, almost all have perfs touching the design on at least one side. The 15c is at least as difficult to find in sound condition as the more expensive 24c and 30c inverts.
Census no. 119b-CAN-71. 1976 P.F. certificate 55696 no longer accompanies. With 1995 P.F. and 2015 and 2022 P.S.E. certificates (F 70). Only one grades higher (at 70J), and three others share this grade.
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II, Center Inverted (119b). Deep rich colors, lightly cancelled at left leaving the vignette unobscured, faint horizontal crease at top is barely detectible even when drying
FINE. a beautiful, LIGHTLY CANCELLED AND essentially sound used example OF THE 15-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE INVERT.
Our census of Scott 119b at https://siegelauctions.com/census/us/scott/119b records three unused and 104 used copies (there are an additional three used examples of Scott 119c). Two of the used copies are in institutions — the Tapling Collection at The British Library and the Miller Collection at The New York Public Library. Only 13 are confirmed as fully sound. This example with the vignette clearly visible and with only a very faint crease is very desirable.
Census no. 119b-CAN-103. With 2017 P.S.E. certificate.
30c Ultramarine & Carmine, Double Paper, Without Grill (121a var). Block of four, original gum, deep rich colors, centered to top
FINE AND RARE ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE ON DOUBLE PAPER AND WITHOUT GRILL.
With 2002 P.S.E. certificate. SCV $37,500.
90c Carmine & Black (122). Choice centering with unusually wide margins, light strike of red cork cancel, bright and fresh in every respect
EXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS WIDE-MARGINED USED EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL. ESPECIALLY RARE AND DESIRABLE WITH A RED CANCELLATION.
A review using Power Search shows we have offered approximately 15 unduplicated used examples of Scott 122 graded XF 90 or higher. This is the only example among that population cancelled in red.
Ex Drs. Dauer and from our 2007 Rarities sale. With 2004 and 2008 P.F. certificates (XF 90).
6c Ultramarine (115). Used with 24c Gray Lilac, F. Grill (99), straight edge at right, tied by circle of V's cancel with "San Francisco Cal. Apr. 27" (1869) circular datestamp on yellow cover to Paris, France, Godchaux Bros. San Francisco corner card at bottom, endorsed "Pr Overland Mail", faint strike of red New York 12c credit datestamp ties 6c stamp, blue Calais entry datestamp (May 20), Paris receiving backstamp (May 20)
VERY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING SECOND-DAY USE OF THE 6-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL WITH THE 1868 24-CENT F GRILL ON A COVER FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO PARIS — PAYING DOUBLE 15-CENT RATE AND CARRIED OVERLAND TO NEW YORK ON THE MOSTLY COMPLETED TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD.
After an eleven-day transit from San Francisco to New York, this was carried on the NGL steamer Bremen, departing May 8 and arriving Southampton May 19, 1869. The double 15c rate includes a 12c (double 6c) credit to France. The 6c 1869 Pictorial is used here on the day after the earliest known date of use of April 26, 1869. This is an outstanding 1868 Grill and 1869 Pictorial Issue combination.
12c Green (117). Tied by circle of wedges cancel, red "New York Paid All Nov. 17" (1869) circular datestamp on D. S. Schanck & Sons Glass Importers corner card cover to Liverpool, England, forwarded to Paris, France, with Great Britain, 1865, 4p Dull Vermilion (43a; SG 94), red "Paid Liverpool U.S. Packet 28 No. 69 4E" circular datestamp, upon forwarding the G.B. stamp tied by "Liverpool D 27 29 No. 63" duplex datestamp with "466" oval, red London backstamp (Nov. 30), blurry strike of Calais entry datestamp (Nov. 30), manuscript "No. 2" with underlines ties 12c stamp, Brown, Shipley & Co. forwarder's oval underneath Liverpool datestamp
VERY FINE. A RARE USE OF THE 12-CENT 1869 S.S. ADRIATIC ISSUE ON A COVER TO ENGLAND WITH GREAT BRITAIN FORWARDING POSTAGE TO FRANCE.
This was carried on the Cunarder Nemesis, departing New York Nov. 17 and arriving Queenstown Nov. 27, 1869. The cover bears the same glass importer corner card as the cover with the 30c 1869 pair offered in lot 109.
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Used with 3c Ultramarine (114) and 12c Green (117), latter stamp with tiny tear, cancelled or tied by quartered corks with "Washington D.C. Oct. 15" (1869) duplex datestamp, red "New York Paid 24 Oct. 16" 24c credit datestamp on cover to Paris, France, red "Etats-Unis Paq. Fr. H No. 2 16 Oct 69" Ligne H French packet octagonal datestamp struck in New York, red boxed "PD" handstamp, Paris backstamp (Oct. 27)
VERY FINE. A COLORFUL THREE-DENOMINATION 1869 PICTORIAL FRANKING INCLUDING THE 15-CENT TYPE I ON A DOUBLE-RATE COVER TO FRANCE SENT BY FRENCH PACKET DIRECT. A RARE AND LOVELY USE.
This was carried on the Ligne H steamer Lafayette, departing New York Oct. 16, 1869, and arriving Brest Oct. 26.
Signed Ashbrook. With copy of 1998 P.F. certificate.
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118). Tied by circle of wedges cancel, red "New York Paid 6 Jul. 17" (1869) 6c credit datestamp on cover to Paris, France, and forwarded to Heidelberg, Germany, with France, 1867, 30c Brown on Yellowish (34; Yvert 30), two "PD" boxed handstamps tie 15c, blue "Et. Unis Serv. Am. Calais 29 Jul 69" entry datestamp, Paris datestamp (Jul. 29) ties 30c stamp when forwarded to Germany, then forwarded again to Brussels, Belgium, the journey traced by four backstamps including Strasburg (Jul. 30), Heidelberg (Jul. 30) and Brussels (Aug. 1), manuscript "2" due marking, first two addresses crossed out, Munroe & Co. Paris forwarder's oval handstamp
VERY FINE. A SPECTACULAR TWICE-FORWARDED COVER WITH THE 15-CENT TYPE I 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE AND 30-CENTIMES FRENCH STAMP. ONLY FOUR COVERS ARE RECORDED WITH THE 15-CENT TYPE I AND FORWARDING POSTAGE FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY.
This was carried on the Inman Line's City of Boston, departing New York July 17 and arriving Liverpool July 28, 1869. The PRA Census lists only four examples of Scott 118 used with stamps of another country. Three are with French stamps, forwarded to England, Switzerland and Germany then Belgium (the cover offered here). The fourth is forwarded within Italy.
Ex Dr. LeBow.
10c Yellow (116). Used with 2c Brown (113) and 3c Ultramarine (114), tied by quartered cork cancels with "New Orleans La. Nov. 6" (1869) circular datestamp on folded cover to Bordeaux, France, red "New York Paid 12 Nov. 10" 12c credit datestamp, bold blue Calais entry datestamp (Nov. 21) and red "PD" boxed handstamp, Bordeaux receiving backstamp (Nov. 22), carried on the Cunarder Cuba from New York Nov. 10, arriving Queenstown Nov. 19, Very Fine and colorful combination of stamps to pay the 15c treaty rate by British packet, ex Dr. LeBow
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Tied by circle of wedges cancel with red "New York Paid 3 May 25" (1869) 3c credit datestamp on yellow cover to Paris, France, carried on HAPAG Hammonia II from New York on May 25, arriving Cherbourg June 4, red Havre June 7 octagonal entry datestamp ties stamp, red boxed "PD" handstamp and forwarding agent's blue datestamp (June 8), minor soiling, Very Fine 15c treaty cover by American Packet direct, this is the second earliest use of the 15c Ty. II 1869 Pictorial on cover
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Vertical strip of four, tied by partly clear strikes of Providence R.I. duplex datestamps with target cancel, red "Providence R.I. Nov. 12" (1869) double-circle datestamp and red "New York Paid 48 Nov. 13" 48c credit datestamp also tying strip on cover to Menton, France, red "Etats-Unis Paq. Fr. H No. 3 13 Nov 69" Ligne H French Packet octagonal datestamp struck in New York also ties strip, red "Paid" in circle and "PD" boxed handstamps, four French transit and arrival backstamps including Paris, Lyon and Menton (Nov. 25-26), original letter enclosure, bottom stamp trimmed perfs at bottom
VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL STRIP OF FOUR OF THE 15-CENT TYPE II 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE, PAYING THE QUADRUPLE RATE TO FRANCE BY FRENCH PACKET DIRECT FROM NEW YORK—THE LARGEST RECORDED ON-COVER MULTIPLE.
This was carried by French packet on the Ligne H steamer Ville de Paris, departing New York Nov. 13, 1869, and arriving Brest Nov. 24. We have offered two similar covers with four 15c Ty. II stamps carried by French Packet direct from New York (ex Eubanks and ex Forster), but in both cases the four stamps did not make up a contiguous strip, as on the cover offered here. This is a great 1869 Pictorial Issue postal history rarity.
24c Green & Violet (120). Rich color, used with two 3c Ultramarine (114), one straight edge at left, tied by cork cancels, "New Orleans La. Dec. 9" (1869) circular datestamp on folded cover to Paris, France, sender's blue oval datestamp, red "New York Paid 6 Dec. 14" 6c credit datestamp ("Dec." upside down), blue "PD" framed handstamp and Cherbourg entry datestamp (Dec. 26)
VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE USE OF THE 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE ON A COVER TO FRANCE, PAYING DOUBLE THE 15-CENT RATE VIA AMERICAN PACKET. FEWER THAN TEN EXAMPLES TO FRANCE ARE RECORDED.
Interestingly, the 24c 1869 Pictorial is scarcer on cover to France than the 30c. While the 30c exactly paid the double 15c rate, the 24c did not pay any French mail rate unless combined with other stamps. Only five covers are recorded in the PRA census, and probably fewer than ten exist in total. We offered a similar cover from the same correspondence in our 2023 sale of the Jeffrey Forster collection. This cover was carried on the HAPAG Allemania, departing New York Dec. 4 and arriving Plymouth Dec. 24, where mail was offloaded for Cherbourg.
Illustrated in the Laurence 10c 1869 book (p. 155). With 1992 P.F. certificate.
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Rich colors, centered to top, used with 15c Brown & Blue, Ty. I (118), tied by quartered cork cancels with "New Orleans La. Jun. 19" (1869) circular datestamp on folded cover to Paris, France, bold strike of red "New York Paid 9 Jun. 19" 9c credit datestamp, blue Cherbourg entry datestamp (June 27), small red boxed "PD" handstamp ties 15c stamp which has slight vertical crease from file fold
VERY FINE. ONLY TWO COMBINATION COVERS ARE RECORDED WITH THE 15-CENT TYPE I AND 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE. ONE OF THE MOST OUTSTANDING 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE COVERS EXTANT.
This franking pays the triple 15c treaty rate to France, and the 9c credit corresponds to the triple 3c credit to France for a letter sent by American Packet direct. One other cover is known with a similar franking. It is also addressed to France (from Washington D.C.), but shows an 18c credit (triple 6c) to France for a letter sent by British or American Packet via England (2019 Rarities Sale 1205, lot 2044). This was carried on the HAPAG Germania from New York on June 16, arriving Cherbourg June 26, 1869.
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Vertical pair, partly separated prior to affixing, cancelled by segmented corks and tied by red "New York Paid 24 Dec. 4" (1869) 24c credit datestamp on cover to Paris, France, with D.S. Schanck & Sons, Glass Importers corner card, red boxed "PD" handstamp, blue "Et. Unis Serv. Am. Calais 14 Dec 69" entry datestamp ties bottom stamp, address crossed out and redirected back to New York but no indication of mail handling in that direction, backflap tears and some minor edge or corner wear
VERY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONAL AND RARE USE OF A PAIR OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE ON A COVER TO FRANCE, PAYING THE QUADRUPLE TREATY RATE. ONE OF ONLY NINE RECORDED COVERS WITH A PAIR OF THE 30-CENT AND ONE OF THE GREAT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE COVERS.
This franking pays the quadruple 15c treaty rate to France, and the 24c credit corresponds to quadruple 6c credit to France for a letter sent by British or American Packet via England. This was carried on the Inman Line's City of Brussels, departing New York Dec. 4, 1869, and arriving Liverpool Dec. 13. It is one of nine recorded pairs of the 30c 1869 Pictorial Issue on cover.
Ex Seybold, Krug (Sale 210, lot 793), Haas and Ishikawa. Signed Ashbrook. With 1953 P.F. certificate issued to Emerson Krug.
1c Buff (112). Used with 3c Ultramarine (114), both tied by rosette cancels with "New York Br. Transit Apr. 13" (1870) circular datestamp, additional faint strike of red New York datestamp on bright buff cover to Paris, France, "Stmr. Idaho" ship directive and carried on that Guion Line steamer from New York, departing Apr. 13, 1870 and arriving Queenstown Apr. 24, with red London transit backstamp (Apr. 25), "INSUFFICIENTLY PAID" straightline on front and "SHORT PAID" straightline on back (applied by Munroe & Co. forwarders) — this was underpaid for the double Open Mail rate so the 4c postage was ignored and the letter was treated as completely unpaid, manuscript "8" cents debit to the U.S., "GB/2F" debit handstamp (2 francs per 30 grams bulk unpaid mail debit to France) and "16" decimes handstamped due in France, top of cover with opening tears, Very Fine example of a cover that was sent after the U.S.-French Postal Convention had expired and was subject to U.S.-Great Britain Open Mail rules, with 1978 P.F. certificate
6c Ultramarine (115). Used with vertical pair 2c Brown (113), natural straight edge at left, tied by segmented cork cancels, red "New York Jan. 12" (1870) circular datestamp on small cover to Paris, France, bold "PAID-ONLY/TO ENGLAND" handstamp, carried on the Guion steamer Minnesota (first voyage) from New York on Jan. 12, 1870, arriving Southampton Jan. 23, "GB/40c" Anglo-French accountancy handstamp, Calais entry datestamp (Jan. 25) and "10" decimes due for double weight, "SHORT PAID" backstamp applied by Munroe & Co., most of backflap removed and minute edge tear in one 2c, Very Fine, 10c prepayment for direct mail rate but sent via England at 4c rate, ex Mack
2c Brown (113). Horizontal pair, tied by rosette cancels, "Boston 4 Jan." (1870) circular datestamp on small cover to Paris, France, red London backstamp (Jan. 17), blurry strike of Calais entry datestamp (Jan. 17), "GB/40c" Anglo-French accountancy handstamp and "10" decimes due handstamp for double weight, address crossed out for forwarding, carried on the Guion Line's Manhattan, departing New York Jan. 5, 1870 and arriving Queenstown Jan. 15, Very Fine 4c Open Mail use to France
10c Yellow (116). Tied by bold target cancel, matching "Winnegance Me. Jul. 14" (1871) circular datestamp on cover to Le Havre, France, red "New York Jul. 15" circular datestamp ties stamp, carried on Ligne H Lafayette, departing New York Jul. 15, red "Etats-Unis Paq. Fr. H No. 2 15 Jul 71" octagonal datestamp struck in New York, arrived at Brest Jul. 26, Le Havre receiving backstamp (Jul. 27) and "5" decimes due handstamp, stamp slightly oxidized, Fine use by French Packet Direct
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Cancelled by square cork, "New Orleans La. Nov. 27" (1871) and red "New-York Dec. 2" circular datestamps on blue folded letter to Montpellier, France, unusually precise directive at top "per Steamer Ville de Paris to sail from New York for Brest on the 2nd December 1871", carried on that Ligne H steamer, departing New York Dec. 2, bold red "Etats-Unis Paq. Fr. H No. 1 2 Dec 71" octagonal datestamp struck in New York, arrived Brest Dec. 12, "5" decimes due handstamp, Paris and Montpellier backstamps (Dec. 14), Very Fine use by French Packet Direct
1c Buff (112). Used with straddle-pane vertical strip of three 3c Ultramarine (114), tied by target cancels and red "New York Jan. 8" (1870) circular datestamp on tissue-paper cover to Paris, France, "SHORT PAID" backstamp applied by Munroe & Co., carried on Ligne H St. Laurent on Jan. 8 from New York (first direct packet mail since expiration of the 1857 U.S.-French treaty), "Etats-Unis Paq. Fr. H No. 4 8 Jan 70" octagonal datestamp struck in New York (normally struck in red), arrived in Brest Jan. 18, "8" decimes due handstamp, left side flap restored, Very Fine appearing cover sent by French Packet direct shortly after the U.S.-French Treaty had expired—therefore not able to be fully prepaid with U.S. stamps only (unless sent by the little known Phantom Rate via England), ex Mack
1c Buff (112). Used with horizontal pair 3c Ultramarine (114), tied by "Buffalo W. Va. May 16" (1870) circular datestamp and circle of wedges in two-rings cancels, red "New York May 24" circular datestamp on 3c Pink entire (U58) to Paris, France, carried on the HAPAG Allemania, departing New York May 24, arriving Plymouth June 4, blue "Etats-Unis Cherbourg 5 Jun 70" entry datestamp, bold "8" decimes due handstamp tying 3c pair, backflap tears just extend to small tear at left, Very Fine and colorful 10c American Packet Direct use to France, ex Dr. LeBow
6c Ultramarine (115). Three, used with 2c Brown (113), cancelled or tied by circle of wedges cancels, "New Orleans La. Feb. 21" (1870) circular datestamp on cover to Bordeaux, France, red "New York" circular datestamp struck three times on different dates, first two obliterated and final strike dated Mar. 3, carried on the Ruger Line's Ocean Queen—the first of only three contract sailings by the line—departing New York Mar. 3 and arriving Le Havre Mar. 19—red "Et. Unis Serv. Fr. 19 Mar 70" entry datestamp, manuscript "24" decimes due for triple weight, Bordeaux receiving backstamp (Mar. 21), merchant's blue oval datestamp, backflap removed and minor toned spots on 6c stamps
VERY FINE. A COLORFUL AND RARE AMERICAN PACKET DIRECT COVER TO FRANCE, CARRIED ON THE FIRST OF ONLY THREE CONTRACT SAILINGS OF THE RUGER LINE.
Illustrated in 1869 Census book (p. 21). Signed Ashbrook. Ex Kuphal.
10c Yellow (116). Used with 2c Brown (113), 10c corner slightly torn before use and some perf toning, tied by segmented cork cancels on 3c Pink entire (U58) to Caussade, France, red "New York Paid All Br. Transit Apr. 23" (1870) backstamp, matching "8" Phantom Rate credit handstamp, carried on the NGU steamer Union from New York on April 23, arriving Southampton May 4, red London Paid datestamp (May 4) and "PD" in oval handstamp, Calais entry datestamp (May 5), French transit and receiving backstamps, few small edge tears
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A COLORFUL AND RARE COMBINATION TO PAY THE 12-CENT "PHANTOM RATE" TO FRANCE. ONLY A FEW COVERS ARE KNOWN SHOWING THE 8-CENT CREDIT TO ENGLAND ON FRENCH MAIL SENT FULLY PREPAID DURING THE SHORT-LIVED PHANTOM RATE PERIOD.
The 1857 U.S.-French postal treaty expired on December 31, 1869, making it difficult to fully prepay postage between the two countries, and impossible to fully prepay postage to France with U.S. stamps alone, with the exception of the unannounced "Phantom Rate" from New York via British mail. The rate was never announced, but was listed in the international rate tables under Algeria, which was considered a part of France—thus, the moniker "Phantom."
The sender likely affixed stamps to prepay the expired 15c treaty rate. The original 12c Phantom Rate was formulated from the 4c U.S.-G.B. Open Mail and the 8c (4 pence) G.B.-France rates added together. On July 1, 1870, the Phantom Rate was reduced to 10c, in accordance with the new Anglo-French convention, which reduced the rate between Great Britain and France to the equivalent of 6c. 1869 Phantom Rate covers with the 8c credit are much rarer than covers with the 6c credit. A Power Search review found only a few others with an 8c credit.
Ex Mack. With 2004 P.F. certificate.
10c Yellow (116). Tied by target cancel, "Maysville Ky. Nov. 5" (1870) circular datestamp on narrow folded letter to Paris, France, red "New York Paid All Br. Transit Nov. 9" circular datestamp on back, matching "6" Phantom Rate credit handstamp, carried on the Inman City of Paris, departing New York Nov. 12 and arriving Queenstown Nov. 21, red London Paid datestamp (Nov. 21) ties stamp, red "PD" in oval handstamp, Calais arrival datestamp (Nov. 22), stamp with slightly toned perfs, Very Fine example of the elusive Phantom Rate—effective July 1, 1870, the new Anglo-French postal convention reduced the rate between Great Britain and France to 3p per 10 grams, which in turn reduced the Phantom Rate from 12c to 10c (credit reduced from 8c to 6c)
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Bright colors, minor perf toning, tied by circular cork cancel and "Pittsburgh Pa. Jul. 14" (1870) duplex datestamp on Phantom Rate cover with printed address to Paris, France, red crayon "18/2" credit applied at New York (no datestamp), carried on the HAPAG Silesia from New York on Jul. 19, mails offloaded at Scotland Jul. 29 (last sailing before the Franco-German War interruption), red London Paid datestamp (Jul. 30) and matching "PD" in oval handstamp, "Angl. Amb. Calais 31 Jul 70" entry datestamp, faint Paris receiving backstamp, faint toning along top of cover and skillfully cleaned
VERY FINE. THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ON A PHANTOM RATE COVER. A MARVELOUS COMBINATION OF PHILATELIC RARITY AND POSTAL HISTORY SIGNIFICANCE.
The 1857 U.S.-French postal treaty expired on December 31, 1869, making it difficult to fully prepay postage between the two countries, and impossible to fully prepay postage to France with U.S. stamps alone, with the exception of the unannounced "Phantom Rate" from New York via British mail. The rate was never announced, but was listed in the international rate tables under Algeria, which was considered a part of France—thus, the moniker "Phantom."
This cover was mailed from Pittsburgh soon after the New York Foreign Mail office began applying the newly reduced (effective 7/1/70) 6c per 10 grams (⅓ oz.) credit to Phantom Rate letters sent fully prepaid to France via England. The sender would not have known about the unannounced prepaid rate to France, so this was probably stamped 30c under the old treaty for a letter weighing just over one ounce (3 x 10c direct rate with French postage collect). The New York office weighed the letter at just under one ounce, thus it had sufficient postage to be sent fully prepaid at the unannounced 10c per half-ounce rate with a 6c credit to G.B. for every ⅓ ounce (10 grams). The "18" of the "18/2" credit represents the 3 x 6c credit (20-30 grams), and the "2" represents the second weight class of the 4c per half-ounce U.S. share of postage (over ½ oz., up to 1 oz.). Combined, the 18c credit to G.B. and 8c U.S. postage required 26c prepayment, thus the 30c 1869 overpaid the rate by 4c.
Illustrated in 1869 PRA Census (p. 201, where the rate is misinterpreted). Ex Lounsbery, Coulter and Eubanks. With 1967 and 2006 P.F. certificates.
10c Yellow (116). Bright color, tied by New York City crossroads cancel, used in combination with France, 1867-68, 20c Blue (33; Yvert 29) and 40c Orange, Napoleon III (35a; Yvert 31), all three stamps tied by strikes of Anchor in Diamond of Dots cancel on bright buff cover to Paris, France, red "New York Feb. 19" (1870) circular datestamp, red boxed "P.P." handstamp, carried on the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique line’s Ville de Paris, departing New York Feb. 19, 1870, arriving Brest Feb. 28 and Havre Mar. 2 after stopping in Halifax Feb. 11 for more coal, light strike of red “Etats- Unis Paq. Fr. H. 19 Fevr 70" octagonal datestamp struck in New York, "Paris 2 Mars 70" receiving backstamp
VERY FINE. A NEW DISCOVERY AND ONLY THE SECOND INTACT 10-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL COVER SHOWING A TRUE MIXED FRANKING WITH FRENCH STAMPS, RATHER THAN A FORWARDED USE. A BEAUTIFUL COVER THAT GRAPHICALLY DEMONSTRATES THE PECULIAR POST-TREATY PERIOD OF UNITED STATES AND FRENCH MAILS.
This cover with its colorful array of stamps demonstrates the difficulty the public experienced after the postal treaty between the United States and France expired in 1870, when there was no practical way to pay the full postage on letters from one country to the other. While many covers to France are known with the 1869 Pictorial Issue, very few have 1869s and French stamps paying the separate postage rates of 10c and 60 centimes. This is one of two known covers with a combination including the 10c 1869 Pictorial. A third cover has a combination including two 2c 1869 Pictorials and is offered in lot 122.
The expiration of the 1857 U.S.-French postal treaty on January 1, 1870, left both countries without a new agreement to govern the exchange of mails and division of postage. The U.S. announced that letters sent direct to and from France would be charged 10c, the rate applied to any country with which the U.S. had no postal treaty. Letters could also be sent by British Open Mail via England at the 4c rate. The Phantom Rate, announced only for Algeria, but also applicable to France, provided a means of prepaying postage to France via England (see lot 120 for the unique 30c Phantom Rate cover). However, the publicized options did not allow someone to prepay postage solely with his own country’s stamps, and covers from this post-treaty period typically show due markings of the receiving country.
In this instance, the blanket U.S. rate to France was prepaid with a 10c 1869 stamp. The cover was postmarked at the New York post office and delivered to an agent on board the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique Ligne H stemer Ville de Paris, anchored in New York harbor. The sender affixed two French stamps totaling 60 centimes to prepay the internal postage. The CGT mail agent cancelled the stamps with the widely used Anchor marking and struck the cover with the French Ligne H datestamp. The French stamps ensured that the letter would be treated as prepaid and delivered to the addressee without postage due. The absence of any French due markings confirms this treatment.
The rarest and most desirable mixed-franking covers have stamps of two or more countries applied conjunctively to pay the rate or rates necessary to carry the letter from the sender to the addressee. A similar cover to the one offered here is ex Schatzkés, Kuphal and Gross (Sale 188, lot 86). Before the emergence of this cover, the Gross cover was believed to be the only fully prepaid mixed-franking combination with the 10c 1869 Pictorial and French stamps. The emergence of this cover adds a great 1869 Issue postal history gem to the marketplace.
With 2024 Brun and P.F. certificates.
2c Brown (113). Two, grid cancels, tied by "Jersey City N.J. Aug. 5" (1870) duplex datestamp, used with 6c Carmine, 1870 Issue (148), tied by matching grid cancel, used with France, 1867-68, 20c Blue (33; Yvert 29) and 40c Orange, Napoleon III (35a; Yvert 31), tied by Anchor in Diamond of Dots cancels on small cover to Paris, France, red "New York Aug. 6" circular datestamp, red boxed "P.P.", carried on the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique line’s Ville de Paris, departing New York Aug. 6, 1870, arriving Brest Aug. 16, light strike of red “Etats-Unis Paq. Fr. H. No. 3 6 Aug 70" octagonal datestamp struck in New York, 20c French stamp corner torn off before cancellation was applied, one 2c slightly affected from placement at edge
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE 1869 PICTORIAL AND BANK NOTE COVER WITH A TRUE MIXED FRANKING WITH FRENCH STAMPS—GRAPHICALLY DEMONSTRATING THE PECULIAR POST-TREATY PERIOD OF UNITED STATES AND FRENCH MAILS.
This cover with its colorful array of stamps demonstrates the difficulty the public experienced after the postal treaty between the United States and France expired in 1870, when there was no practical way to pay the full postage on letters from one country to the other. While many covers to France are known with the 1869 Pictorial Issue, very few have 1869s and French stamps paying the separate postage rates of 10c and 60 centimes. There are two known covers with a combination including the 10c 1869 Pictorial, one of which is offered in lot 121.
The expiration of the 1857 U.S.-French postal treaty on January 1, 1870, left both countries without a new agreement to govern the exchange of mails and division of postage. The U.S. announced that letters sent direct to and from France would be charged 10c, the rate applied to any country with which the U.S. had no postal treaty. Letters could also be sent by British Open Mail via England at the 4c rate. The Phantom Rate, announced only for Algeria, but also applicable to France, provided a means of prepaying postage to France via England (see lot 120 for the unique 30c Phantom Rate cover). However, the publicized options did not allow someone to prepay postage solely with his own country’s stamps, and covers from this post-treaty period typically show due markings of the receiving country.
In this instance, the blanket U.S. rate to France was prepaid with two 2c 1869 stamps and one 6c 1870 stamp. The cover was postmarked at the New York post office and delivered to an agent on board the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique Ligne H steamer Ville de Paris, anchored in New York harbor. The sender affixed two French stamps totaling 60 centimes to prepay the internal postage. The CGT mail agent cancelled the stamps with the widely-used Anchor marking and struck the cover with the French Ligne H datestamp. The French stamps ensured that the letter would be treated as prepaid and delivered to the addressee without postage due. The absence of any French due markings confirms this treatment.
The rarest and most desirable mixed-franking covers have stamps of two or more countries applied conjunctively to pay the rate or rates necessary to carry the letter from the sender to the addressee. This two-country, four-color and three-issue combination is one of the great 1869 Pictorial issue covers extant.
2c Brown (113). Vertical pair, used with 3c Green (147), tied by blue circular cork cancels with matching "Eureka Cal. Jul. 20" (1871) circular datestamp on 3c Green entire to Doubs, France, red "New-York Aug. 1" circular datestamp, carried on the HAPAG Westphalia from New York Aug. 1, arriving Plymouth Aug. 11 and Cherbourg Aug. 13, bold Cherbourg entry datestamp (Aug. 12) and "6" decimes due handstamp (in error, should be 5 decimes), five transit and arrival backstamps, small cover tear at top, Very Fine and colorful use by American Packet, ex Dr. LeBow