24c State (O65). Deep shade, small tear at top, canceled by purple quartered cork cancel, matching "Washington D.C. May 27 3PM 1878" circular datestamp on legal-size linen-lined cover with "Department of State, U.S.A." imprint and part-printed address to the Vice Consul of the United States at Prescott, Canada, red wax seal, "Prescott Ont. My 29 78" receiving backstamp, a bit age toned and some chipping away of paper along edges

ONE OF TWO UNDISPUTED GENUINE COVERS BEARING THE 24-CENT STATE DEPARTMENT STAMP. AN IMPORTANT ARTIFACT OF OFFICIAL-STAMP POSTAL HISTORY.

In his article "High Value Official Stamps on Cover" (Chronicle 188, Nov. 2000, pp. 287-299), Alan C. Campbell lists two 24c State covers as positively genuine, and he tentatively includes a third cover as possibly genuine, although it is repaired and reduced. The cover offered here is No. 26 in the Campbell census. The 24c stamp pays the eight-times 3c rate to Canada (4 oz.).

Ex Hughes and Starnes.

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