10c Black, Vertical Half Used as 5c (2b). Right half, large margins, tied across the cut by red grid cancel, matching "New-Haven Ct. 13 Jun." circular datestamp on 1851 folded letter to Birmingham Conn., sender's notation "Paid/5" (it is unusual for this kind of notation to include the amount paid), file folds well away from stamp

VERY FINE. A RARE VERTICAL BISECT OF THE 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE USED TO PAY THE 5-CENT UNDER-300 MILES RATE JUST A FEW WEEKS PRIOR TO DEMONETIZATION OF THE 1847 ISSUE.

Effective July 1, 1851, the basic letter rate was reduced to 3c for domestic letters sent up to 3,000 miles. New stamps were issued to accommodate the new rates, and the old stamps were demonetized and invalid for postage after June 30, 1851. This letter was sent June 13, 1851, just prior to demonetization, and one day before the bisect offered in the previous lot.

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