30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Wide margins and beautifully centered, bright colors, tied by "New Orleans La. Oct. 20" (1869) circular datestamp and segmented cork cancel on small cover to Crest, France, red "New York Paid 6 Oct. 27" credit datestamp, red "ETATS-UNIS SERV. AM. HAVRE 9 NOV 69" octagonal arrival datestamp and "PD" in frame handstamp, French transit and receiving datestamps on back (Nov. 9 and 10, 1869)

EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE COVER TO FRANCE, PREPAID FOR THE DOUBLE TREATY RATE AND BEARING APPROPRIATE MARKINGS FOR AMERICAN PACKET SERVICE.

Based on the markings, this cover apparently left New York on the North German Lloyd steamer Hansa, which departed on October 28 and arrived at Southampton on November 8. The 6c credit would have satisfied the double rate for an American direct packet to Havre or Cherbourg, but this appears to have entered the French mails from England and was accepted with the 6c credit (for American packet service via England). The old French entry markings, such as the Havre octagonal datestamp on this cover, were used several years earlier and brought back into use in 1869, as evidenced by a number of covers recorded by Steven Walske and Richard F. Winter.

Ex Waterhouse. Ashbrook's notes on back confirming genuine use. With 2015 P.F. certificate.

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