2c Black (73). Three, used with two vertical pairs of 10c Green (68), one pair and one 2c affixed on back, all tied by dark blue Hollow Star in Circle fancy cancels, matching "Windsor N.Y. Apr. 24" (1866) circular datestamp on cover with scalloped decorative flaps to John F. Kingsley, Acting 3rd Assistant Engineer on board the U.S.S. Shenandoah at Table Bay, Cape of Good Hope, red "RETURNED FOR POSTAGE" two-line handstamp and pencil "due 21" applied at New York, red "N. York Am. Pkt. Paid 1866 May 5" circular datestamp, matching "24" credit handstamp, red London Paid transit datestamp (May 16), red crayon "1" (1p) Colonial rate, "Cape Town Cape-Colony JY 8 66" receiving datestamp, "Mauritius JY 30 66" backstamp indicates the final destination, small hole punch through one 2c at left (neatly mended), all stamps have small faults, cover a bit worn and slightly toned, some lightened staining at left

FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE USE OF THE 2-CENT BLACK JACK AND 10-CENT 1861 ISSUE ON A COVER TO MAURITIUS, WHERE IT MET THE U.S.S. SHENANDOAH ON ITS POST-WAR JOURNEY TO THE FAR EAST VIA THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE, INDIA AND ASIA.

The rate to the Cape of Good Hope by British Mail via Southampton was 45c. Based on the identical centering of all 10c stamps, we have no doubt the stamps on the back were on the cover when it arrived at the New York foreign-mail office. They were probably overlooked when the cover was marked 21c due and "Returned for Postage", but detected before it was handstamped with the 24c credit to Great Britain and put on the Inman steamer City of London for the May 5, 1866, sailing to Queenstown.

On April 28, 1866, the U.S.S. Shenandoah departed Rio de Janeiro to join the Asiatic Squadron. After rounding the Cape of Good Hope, the ship visited various ports in India and Asia, including Mauritius, and reached Yokohama on April 5, 1867. The Mauritius backstamp indicates this was delivered to the addressee there.

Ex Dr. Rorke and Faust.

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