"Red River Nov. 6th 1855". Manuscript postmark in circle on cover to Kilmun, Scotland, with original contents datelined "Fort Alexander-Lac La Pluis District October 27th 1855", endorsed "via Pembina New York" at lower left and routed thru Minnesota Territory, large "Paid 24" handstamp at top right, red "19" credit handstamp, red "Paid/America/Liverpool 14 JA 56" transit datestamp, Greenock backstamp of the following day, top flap reattached, some edgewear and reinforcements

VERY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE RED RIVER MANUSCRIPT POSTMARK, AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE WITHOUT THE "B.N.A." DESIGNATION. IT IS ALSO THE ONLY EXAMPLE WITH THE "PAID 24" RATE.

According to the Spink-Shreves Risvold catalogue, the Postmaster at the Red River Settlement (now Winnipeg) probably traced the circle with the use of a coin, or some other round object, and then wrote in the postmark. There are eight or nine covers known between the dates of November 10, 1855, and March 10, 1856. This short period of time is explained by the sudden death of Postmaster William Ross in April or May of 1856.

Ex De Volpe, Bilden and Risvold.

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