30c Orange (71). Three singles, used with 24c Lilac (78) and tied by grid cancels on 1863 folded letter to Hong Kong, China, sender's directive "Via Marseilles", red "N. York Br. Pkt. Paid Nov. 11" circular datestamp, manuscript magenta "98" credit, red London transit datestamp, red "2" Colonial double-rate handstamp, "Hong Kong C JA 7" receiving backstamp with "C" reversed, faint horizontal file fold well away from stamps, left stamp small tear at bottom

VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL DOUBLE-RATE 1861 ISSUE FRANKING SENT BY BRITISH MAIL VIA MARSEILLES.

This is an extremely rare high franking, with $1.14 in postage. Power Search located only one higher to China (with two 90c a 30c and a 2c stamp) and two others equal to this (both to Shanghai, one with a 90c stamp). With copy of 2002 P.F. certificate

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