5c Red Brown (1). Horizontal strip of three, huge margins to full including top sheet margin, brilliant color, tied by red grid cancels, matching "Pottsville Pa. Aug. 18" circular datestamp on folded cover to New York, manuscript "Due 5" to the left of stamps, right stamp tiny sealed tear at bottom right, center and right stamps small indentations at top in margin

VERY FINE. A RARE STRIP OF THREE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE ON COVER, PAYING THE OBSOLETE TRIPLE 5-CENT UNDER-300 MILES RATE FOR A LETTER WEIGHING BETWEEN ONE AND ONE-AND-A-HALF OUNCES. MARKED "DUE 5" CENTS FOR THE 20-CENT RATE REQUIRED UNDER THE ACT OF MARCH 3, 1849.

The elimination of the triple rate went into effect with the Postmaster General's notice on March 15, 1849. Therefore, the use of 1847 Issue stamps to prepay the 15c triple rate for a letter sent under 300 miles was allowed for approximately 20 months.

This cover was mailed in August 1849, after the rate change went into effect, but before the subtle change was widely known. The recipient was charged 5c for the additional postage due.

Ex Sinkler and Mirsky.

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