3c Orange Brown, Ty. II (10A). Bright shade, ample to large margins all around, tied by bold strike of blue framed "Troy & New York Steam Boat" handstamp, matching "2cts" in circle, on blue folded cover to Utica N.Y., docketing on back dated Oct. 8, 1851

EXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE LATEST RECORDED USE OF THE TROY & NEW YORK STEAM BOAT MARKING WITH THE "2CTS" RATE HANDSTAMP ON A COVER WITH STAMPS.

This cover is illustrated and described in detail on pp. 232-234 of Vol. II of Ashbrook's The United States One Cent Stamp of 1851-57. The "Troy & New York Steam Boat" framed marking was used on letters received at Troy from non-contract steamboats carrying mail on the Hudson River. The 2c marking indicates the amount charged by the Troy postmaster, but as recently explained by Daniel J. Ryterband (Chronicle 263), there was no official justification for assessing this fee. In late 1851 or early 1852, the practice of collecting the additional 2c was discontinued.

Ex Richey, Malcolm and Hall.

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