15c Orange, H. Grill (141). Strong grill, s.e. at left, tied by "Brenham Tex. May 15" (1870 or 1871) duplex datestamp and quartered cork cancel on "E. Busse, Texas Bakery and Dealer in Groceries, Provisions, &c." registered corner card cover to Dresden, Germany, sender's routing "By the Prussian enclosed mail" [sic], Brenham duplex struck over backflap, red "New York Registered May 22" rimless datestamp, red sawtooth framed "Recomandirt" German registry handstamp, manuscript registry markings and remnants of a registry form attached to back at top edge, Jun. 6 receiving backstamp, stamp slightly gum stained

FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 15-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE ON COVER. THE USE OF THIS ISSUE FROM A SMALL TEXAS TOWN ON REGISTERED MAIL TO GERMANY IS UNDOUBTEDLY UNIQUE.

The 15c stamp pays the 7c Closed Mail rate to Germany via England and the 8c registry fee. This rate was reduced to 6c in October 1871, and the earliest documented use of the 15c Grill is in June 1870 (although the stamp became available in April 1870). The New York May 22 and German Jun. 6 postmark dates point to three possible sailings in May 1870 or 1871. Very few covers are known with the 15c 1870 Grilled Issue, this being one of the most colorful and unusual.

Ex Andromeda. With 1987 P.F. certificate

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