90c Carmine & Black (122). Tied by "N. York Steamship Apr. 1" (circa 1870) circular datestamp on piece of its original cover, deep rich colors, stamp lifted for examination and hinged in place, negligible small scrape and thin spot

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE OF THE 90-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE GENUINELY USED ON A PIECE OF ITS ORIGINAL COVER. THERE IS ONLY ONE DOCUMENTED FULL COVER -- THE CELEBRATED "ICE HOUSE" COVER -- WHICH WAS SOLD BY OUR FIRM IN 2009 FOR $375,000 HAMMER.

This is the only 90c 1869 certified as genuinely used on piece. The “N. York Steamship” datestamp was usually applied to letters originating in South or Central America or the Caribbean and received from contract steamships, to which the standard 10c per half ounce rate applied. There are rare examples of the same marking used on outbound steamship mail. The April 1 date on this piece is probably from 1870 (if 1869, it would be the earliest recorded use of the 90c 1869).

Ex DuPont, Forster and Ainsworth. Illustrated in United States Postage Stamps of 1869 by Jonathan Rose on p. 166. With 1986 P.F. certificate.

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