Sale 1185 — 2018 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Wednesday, 27 June, 2018
Category — 1851-60 Issues
3c Orange Brown, Ty. II (10A). Horizontal pair, large margins to barely touched, rich color, tied by grid cancels, "Newport R.I. Aug. 9" (1851) circular datestamp on narrow cover to Canton, China, red "RETURNED FOR POSTAGE" two-line handstamp crossed out as is manuscript "Due 39", manuscript "Paid" at top left with "70" rate, completely lacking any additional postal markings, minor edgewearVERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 3-CENT ORANGE BROWN ON A COVER TO CHINA. THIS IS THE FIRST WE HAVE OFFERED SINCE KEEPING COMPUTERIZED RECORDS.
The 6c postage must have been intended to pay the 3c domestic postage plus 2c shore to ship fee. It was first marked "Due 39" to make up the 45c rate via Southampton (technically it should have been treated as completely unpaid). It was then sent from Newport but returned after receiving the "Returned for Postage" handstamp. This marking matches one used in New York (See Bernard Faust collection, Siegel Sale 1181, lot 1603). Both the handstamp and the 39c payment notation were crossed out at the same time as the "70" notation was made. However, there is no indication this was actually mailed -- it lacks any New York or Boston exchange office or other markings. The cover may have been put into another envelope to avoid confusion, or the contents could have been shifted to another envelope.
