5¢ Red Brown (1), vertical strip of three, large to huge margins all around with part of adjoining stamp at upper right, brilliant color and sharp First Printing impression, top pair uncancelled, tied by red "Montreal, Canada Paid AU 7, 1848" tombstone-style datestamp with matching "PAID" handstamp on blue folded letter to Burlington, Vermont, sender's endorsement "Money" with contents datelined at Montreal the same day and reading in part "I enclose $500 in your own money with the exception of $1.00. I should have waited and sent it by Express but thought that in all probability you might want to use it immediately, & the express does not go till Friday", manuscript "1/6" just below stamps and larger red manuscript "1/6" rate at right

Extremely Fine strip and a beautiful cover--a remarkable use of the 1847 Issue from Canada, with a rare vertical strip of three paying the triple 5¢ rate for distances under 300 miles and weight between 1 and 1.5 ounces. This famous cover is one of the most spectacular examples of the 1847 Issue used from Canada.

The distance from the border exchange office to Burlington was under 300 miles, so this was charged three times the normal rate due to weight. The Canadian postage was 1 shilling 6 pence, or 18 pence, which is four times the 4-1/2 pence rate for distances under 60 miles. Prior to March 15, 1849, United States rates progressed in half-ounce increments, while Canada's rates, following the British system, increased in full one-ounce increments after the first ounce.

Ex Frank R. Sweet (exhibited at The Collectors Club of New York 1940 Centenary exhibition), Philip G. Rust, Dr. Leonard Kapiloff, Guido Craveri, Dr. John L. Robertson and Joseph Hackmey. Signed by Stanley B. Ashbrook. With 1992 P.F. certificate.

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