10c Yellow (116). Horizontal pair, deep shade, cancelled by segmented cork cancel, "San Francisco Cal. Jun. 10" (1870) circular datestamp on cover from Boston to Melbourne, Australia, via San Francisco forwarder, stamps applied over "Forwarded by Macondray & Co. San Francisco" double-line blue oval handstamp, sender's oval backstamp confirms Boston origin, Melbourne receiving backstamp (Jul. 25), clear strike of "1s More to Pay" oval handstamp uprated to "2/", opening tear at right, some stamp oxidation and toning around perfs

FINE AND RARE 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE COVER TO AUSTRALIA. THE USE OF MACONDRAY & CO. TO FORWARD THIS COVER IS MOST UNUSUAL.

Although the U.S. rate to Melbourne, Victoria, would have been 10c per half-ounce whether mailed at Boston or San Francisco, for some reason this letter was forwarded outside the regular mails to Macondray & Co. in San Francisco and posted there. It was carried on the first sailing under the new direct service to Australia by American Packet and should have been delivered without any additional charges. However, on arrival it was treated as partially prepaid with two shillings (48c) due from addressee.

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