90c Blue (72). Bright color, choice centering with wide margins, tied by target cancel, "Baltimore Md. Jul. 20" (1866) circular datestamp on folded printed business notice to Shanghai, China, sender's directive "Via Marseilles" at top, magenta manuscript "68" credit crossed out and re-rated "48", on arrival in London the "48" was crossed out and corrected to "96" cents for double-rate credit (via Marseilles route), the same red crayon was used to state "2" pence British Colonial credit -- despite the underpayment, the British post office was determined to get the correct 96c credit -- red "London Paid 1 AU 66" transit datestamp, blue Shanghai backstamp (Sep. 26), stamp with slightly short perf at upper right not mentioned on accompanying certificates

VERY FINE. ONLY FOUR 90-CENT 1861 ISSUE COVERS TO CHINA ARE RECORDED WITH A SINGLE FRANKING. A SPECTACULAR COVER FROM THE AUGUSTINE HEARD & COMPANY CORRESPONDENCE.

The North German Lloyd America departed New York and arrived at Southampton on August 31, 1866, fitting the dates on this cover. The rate by British Mail via Marseilles during this time was 53c per half ounce, meaning this double-rate cover with 90c postage was underpaid by 16c if carried via Marseilles. The crossed-out 68c corresponds to the double rate via Marseilles if carried by American Packet. The 48c re-stated credit corresponds to the 53c rate via British Packet. The London exchange office determined that it should have been credited 96c for the double 53c British Mail rate via Marseilles, despite the underpaid U.S. postage, and they used red crayon to cross out the “48”, re-rate the credit TO “96” and apply the “2” pence British Colonial credit.

Ex Newbury, Baker and Wunderlich. Illustrated in Brookman on p. 66. With 1983 and 2012 P.F. certificates

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