10¢ Black (2), Positions 86/96L, vertical pair, huge margins to just touched at top right of bottom stamp, including wide bottom sheet margin, vertical file fold affects stamps, tied by perfect strike of blue "Troy N.Y. Sep. 2" (1850) circular datestamp on blue folded letter datelined "New York 30 Augt. 1850" to Montreal, Canada, matching clear strike of "TROY & NEW YORK/STEAM BOAT" framed handstamp, manuscript "9" pence due marking

Very Fine despite the file fold through the pair.

This is one of four recorded 1847 Issue covers to Canada with the "TROY & NEW YORK/STEAM BOAT" framed handstamp--adding to its rarity and appeal is the fantastic 10¢ sheet-margin vertical pair used to pay the double over-300 miles rate (the others all bear one 10¢ stamp).

The "Troy & New York Steamboat" marking was used on letters carried by non-contract steamboats on the Hudson River between New York City and Troy. The mail entered the U.S. postal system at the receiving office, and the town datestamp indicates where the letter was received. The Troy receiving datestamp was used to cancel the stamps on three of the four recorded "Troy & New York Steam Boat" covers to Canada, which are all addressed to David Torrance in Montreal. Torrance was a member of a prominent family of importers, shippers and steamboat owners. A fourth cover is addressed to Quebec, and the stamp is tied by the blue grid cancel. The distance from Troy to the border was under 300 miles, and so would have only required a 5¢ stamp. However, this cover originated in New York City and was over the half-ounce limit, so two 10¢ stamps were affixed to pay the over-300 miles double rate.

Ex J. Waldo Sampson, Charles F. Meroni, Fisher E. Simmons, Jr., Dr. Leonard Kapiloff and John R. Boker, Jr.

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