1c Blue, Ty. IV (9). Horizontal strip of five from Plate 1 Late, mostly ample to large margins except where slightly in at left, minute tear between two stamps, lightly cancelled by grids and tied by red "Providence R.I. Sep. 16" circular datestamp with matching "Paid" handstamp on 1854 folded letter to Paris, France, sender's directive "Per Steamer 'Africa' via NYK & Liverpool", red "New-York Br. Pkt." exchange office datestamp, red Paris Oct. 3 circular datestamp also ties strip, manuscript "26" decimes due marking, carried on the Cunarder Africa which departed New York Sept. 20, 1854 and arrived Liverpool Oct. 1

FRESH AND VERY FINE. THE USE OF FIVE ONE-CENT 1851 STAMPS FOR THE SHORE-TO-SHIP RATE ON TRANSATLANTIC MAIL IS EXTREMELY UNUSUAL. THE STRIP AND COMBINATION OF RED MARKINGS CREATE A COLORFUL AND RARE 1851 ISSUE COVER.

Ex Chambers, H. J. Baker, Grunin, Zoellner and Bailar. Signed Ashbrook

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