10c Green, Ty. IV-III (16-15). Positions 65-66L1, left stamp recut at top, large margins to slightly in, scissors-cut at top between stamps, deep rich color, used with 1c Blue, Ty. IV (9), margins a bit close to slightly in, tied by criss-crossing strikes of blue grid, matching "Nashua N.H. May 16, 1857" circular datestamp on yellow cover to Paris, France, pair also tied by faint red "New-York Am. Pkt. May 30" circular datestamp, "Boston Br. Pkt. 20 May" backstamp, Calais transit (Jun. 12) and Paris receiving backstamp, the cover has been very lightly cleaned

VERY FINE. A COLORFUL AND RARE USE OF THE 1855 10-CENT TYPE IV-III COMBINATION PAIR TO PAY THE 21-CENT AMERICAN PACKET RATE TO FRANCE.

Based on the New York May 30 American Packet datestamp and June 13 Calais receiving datestamp, this was evidently carried on the Havre Line's Arago, which departed New York on May 30, 1857, and arrived at Southampton on June 11 (reaching Calais on the following day). There are no Cunard sailings which fit the New York and Calais postmark dates (the Europa sailed from Boston on May 20, arriving in Liverpool on May 31).

Ex White. With 2007 P.F. certificate.

Image Magnifier / Download

Power Search for Comparables