24c Green & Violet (120). Wide margins and choice centering, rich colors, used with 10c Yellow (116), intense shade, each stamp tied by New York City Foreign Mail large segmented cork cancellation on undated grayish blue folded cover to Valparaiso, Chile, sender's directive "pr. 'Alaska'" and probably carried on that Pacific Mail Steamship Co. steamship from New York to Panama sometime in the spring of 1870, the handwriting on this cover matches other covers from the firm of M. Echeverria & Co., 20 Beaver Street, New York City, carried by another steamer down the west coast of South America to the port city of Valparaiso, red "25" centavos due handstamp, light fold clear of stamps

EXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED 24-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE COVER TO CHILE. AN OUTSTANDING FRANKING AND IN UNUSUALLY PRISTINE CONDITION.

The 34c rate to Chile via Panama was reduced to 22c after February 16, 1870. The 12c reduction corresponds to the reduced British rate for transit beyond Panama on Pacific Steam Navigation Co. vessels, from one shilling (24c) to six pence (12c). 34c rate covers sent prior to February 16 show the 24c credit, but a "12" credit is definite proof that the cover was mailed after the rate reduction, as in this case. It is not unusual to see the old 34c rate paid by stamps for a period of months after the rate was reduced. The "25" handstamp is the Chilean charge for an incoming postage due. All incoming mail was subject to an "ultramar" (overseas) charge, and it was made up of 5 centavos plus twice the domestic postage (two times 10 centavos in this instance). This rate was in effect from 1853 though 1874 (our appreciation to Brian Moorhouse for this information).

During the first six months of 1870, the PMSS Co. steamer Alaska sailed from New York on January 21, February 21, April 5, May 5 and June 4 (see Laurence's Ten-Cent 1869 Covers, page 78). This cover was most likely carried on one of the sailings in February, April or May.

Ex Ullery (according to Ashbrook's notation in an old photograph) and Krug. Ashbrook notes on back of cover. With 1951 and 2015 P.F. certificates

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