10¢ Black (2), mostly large margins to clear at top left, tied by blue grid cancel, matching "Philadelphia Pa. Jul. 14" (1847) circular datestamp on year-dated folded letter to London, England, sender's ship-name directive "pr Steamer Caledonia via Boston," stamp additionally tied by light strike of red British datestamp, clearly-struck 1847-dated London receiving circular datestamp on flap, manuscript "1/-" shilling due marking

Very Fine; trivial splitting along some folds, but otherwise in exceptionally pristine condition.

This is the earliest possible transatlantic use of the 1847 Issue, and this is the only recorded example of the 10¢ 1847 stamp on mail carried aboard this voyage. It is also the earliest known use of the 10¢ 1847 issue to a foreign destination. One of the great rarities of the classic era.

The 5¢ and 10¢ 1847 Issue stamps were issued on July 1, 1847. The earliest documented use is a 10¢ domestic cover dated July 2 at New York City (in the Gross collection and on loan to the Smithsonian National Postal Museum). At this time, the Cunard Line sailings were twice monthly. The first July 1847 sailing was the Cambria from Boston on the first day of the month. It was not possible for any 1847 Issue stamps to be used on that voyage, because Boston did not receive their supply of 1847 stamps until the following day. The next Cunarder to sail was the Caledonia, which left Boston on July 16. The cover offered here was posted in Philadelphia on July 14, and made it to Boston in time for the July 16 sailing. This is the only recorded 10¢ 1847 cover carried on this voyage. Two 5¢ 1847 covers are also recorded for this sailing, one of which is addressed to Ireland and has a July 15 New York datestamp (Sale 993, lot 177). The other 5¢ 1847 cover from this Caledonia sailing was mailed from New York to Liverpool, but it lacks a post office datestamp and is dated from the contents.

Aside from transatlantic uses, the earliest reported use to Canada is July 17 (lot 123 in this sale). It is theoretically possible that an earlier cover to Canada or to another foreign destination which did not involve a transatlantic sailing could be found. However, as the record stands, the cover offered here is the earliest.

Ex John D. Pope III and Jerome S. Wagshal. The subject of an article by Wagshal in Opinions IV, "An Important Change in Philatelic Foundation Policy: Certification of Earliest Known Date of Use." With 1985 and 2010 P.F. certificates stating "Genuinely used on cover; the earliest possible transatlantic usage of the 1847 Issue."

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