15¢ Brown & Blue, Type II (119), two, used with 2¢ Brown (113) and tied by segmented cork cancels, red "New York Paid All Br. Transit Feb. 26" (1870) circular datestamp on folded cover to Calcutta, India, Wattenbach, Heilgers & Co. correspondence (see also lot 531), sender's directive "Via England", red "26" credit handstamp, red "London Paid" transit datestamp (March 9), Sea Post Office (March 25) and receiving (April 6) backstamps

Very Fine; 2¢ tiny tear at top.

A beautiful cover and one of only three recorded uses of the 15¢ 1869 Pictorial Issue on cover to India.

The rate to India by British Mail was either 22¢ via Southampton or 30¢ via Marseilles. The cover offered here is franked with 32¢ postage, which corresponds to the rate by North German Union Closed Mail. In the actual event, this cover was sent by British Mail via Marseilles; the 32¢ prepayment might have been deliberate, to ensure that it went by the most expeditious route.

Ex Steven C. Walske ("Lafayette" collection). With 2003 P.F. certificate.

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