12c Black, Plate 1 (36). Two horizontal pairs and two singles, tied by partly clear strikes of "Newport Flor. Sep. 8" (1858) circular datestamp (clearer strike on back), "New-York Br. Pkt. Sep. 15" circular datestamp on cover to Nottingham, England, "SHORT PAID" in octagon handstamp struck twice on front and twice on back, manuscript "20" cents debit marking to England and "4/-" (4sh) due, Liverpool transit (from Cunarder Africa) and Nottingham receiving backstamps, cover and right stamp small staple holes, slight wrinkling

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE USE OF SIX COPIES OF THE 12-CENT 1857 ISSUE ON COVER FROM FLORIDA TO ENGLAND, ATTEMPTING TO PAY A TRIPLE RATE BUT UNDERPAID AND TREATED AS COMPLETELY UNPAID.

The 72c franking was an attempt by the sender to pay the triple 24c rate to England, but this was not possible before Apr. 1, 1866, due to British weight progressions. The franking was ignored by the New York exchange office and the underpaid cover was treated as totally unpaid. The correct quadruple rates are reflected in the "20" cents debit marking (quadruple 5c to the U.S. for carriage on a British steamer) and the 4sh due marking

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