12¢ Black, Diagonal Half Used as 6¢ (17a), Bottom left diagonal half, margins to just in at top left where slightly irregular, intense shade, tied across the cut by "New-York Ship 7cts Sep. 25" (1853) circular datestamp with integral due rate on buff cover to a cadet at West Point in New York, bold strike of red "VIA NICARAGUA/AHEAD OF THE MAILS" in truncated frame handstamp, pencil manuscript at top indicates letter was dated in September 1853 (letter no longer accompanies), stamp with light horizontal crease, otherwise Very Fine, a stunning bisected use of the 12¢ 1851 Issue with a remarkably clear "Via Nicaragua" marking, according to research by James Allen, the 1st Assistant PMG's first official notice to postmasters that bisected stamps were invalid was published on September 12, 1853 (Chronicle 239), this cover was received in New York 13 days after the announcement and the bisect was therefore not accepted as prepayment and was struck with the "New York Ship" 7¢ due datestamp

Image Magnifier / Download

Power Search for Comparables