1c Blue, Ty. IV, 3c Dull Red, Ty. II (9, 11A). 1c cut in, used with 3c horizontal pair, cut in and left faulty from placement along edge, tied by circle of 20 wedges fancy cancel, "Cambridge Ind. Apr. 23" (ca 1855) circular datestamp and "PAID" handstamp on 3c Red on Buff Nesbitt entire (U10) to Honolulu, Hawaii, with "New York Crystal Palace" illustrated exhibition design, tiny script imprint under woodcut "J.Laing & Co." at left and "66 Fulton St." at right, addressed to John Pearson Hughes (from the Hughes correspondence to and from Hawaii), docketed on back with July 27 receipt date, edgewear but condition is exceptionally fine considering the age and destination

FINE OVERALL. A TRULY REMARKABLE "TRIPLE-THREAT" COVER, COMBINING A RARE CRYSTAL PALACE ILLUSTRATED DESIGN PRINTED DIRECTLY ON A 3-CENT NESBITT ENTIRE, A RARE COMBINATION OF STAMPS ON A CRYSTAL PALACE COVER, AND INCREDIBLY ADDRESSED TO THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. TRULY A ONE-OF-A-KIND POSTAL HISTORY ARTIFACT.

Ken Lawrence suggests this was manufactured by George F. Nesbitt and sold at his stand at the Crystal Palace exhibition. The woodcut was made by Joseph Laing & Co., a well-known New York City printer and stationer. It is remarkable that this souvenir envelope was carried to Indiana and mailed from there. Even more remarkable, it was stamped for the 10c rate and addressed to Hawaii. Based on research of the Hughes correspondence, Lawrence dates this to 1855.

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