5c Red Brown (1). Horizontal pair, large margins including huge top sheet margin, slightly in at left, gorgeous dark shade and proof-like early impression, tied by two strikes of orange-red grid cancel, matching "Mobile Ala. Nov. 22" (1847) circular datestamp on blue folded printed circular from New Orleans to Bordeaux, France, via Mobile and Boston, letter attached to circular dated November 20, red crayon "Way" applied at Mobile, per sender's directive carried on the Cunarder Acadia, which departed Boston on December 1 and arrived at Liverpool on December 16, red London backstamp (Dec. 17), red "COLONIES/&c ART.13" Anglo-French accountancy handstamp also ties pair, faint red French transit datestamp at bottom (probably Boulogne), rated "20" decimes which is crossed out and re-rated "25" decimes for 15-20 grams weight category, Bordeaux receiving backstamp, lightly toned file fold away from stamps

VERY FINE. A "TRIPLE THREAT" COVER SHOWING USE OF A SHEET-MARGIN PAIR OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE FROM THE FIRST PRINTING (RARE ON OR OFF COVER), PAYING THE 10-CENT OVER-300 MILES RATE ON BRITISH PACKET MAIL TO FRANCE (RARE--ONLY SIX 5-CENT 1847 MULTIPLES ON COVERS TO FRANCE ARE RECORDED BY WALSKE), AND, FINALLY, SENT FROM NEW ORLEANS TO MOBILE AS MARKED "WAY" MAIL. WITHOUT QUESTION, THIS ONE OF THE GREAT 1847 ISSUE TRANSATLANTIC COVERS.

Steven C. Walske, collector and noted authority on U.S.-French mails, published a comprehensive article on 1847 Issue covers to France in Chronicle 234, in which he states that only six covers to France have multiples of the 5c 1847 Issue. The reason for this is that the under-and-over-300 miles domestic rates applied only for a brief time before the uniform 5c British Open Mail rate was applied to British Packet mail to France. Walske writes: "When the U.S. 1847 stamps first came into use, the principal route between the United States and France was by the British-operated Cunard line to England and then by Dover packet and railroads within England and France. The United States had no postal treaties with either England or France, so letters could not be fully prepaid to their destination. Within the United States, inland postage to the departure port was required to be prepaid. Rates on the entire route were governed by the U.S. postal act of 1 July 1845 (5c per half ounce for less than 300 miles, 10c for over 300 miles) and by the France-England postal treaty of 1 June 1843. This treaty set English transit and sea postage of 10 decimes (equivalent to 20c U.S.) per 7.5 grams (0.2646 ounces) to be debited from England to France and indicated by a 'Colonies &c. Art. 13' marking applied in London. French inland rates, also set out in the 1843 treaty, varied according to distance. Thus, a recipient in France would be charged the French inland postage from the Channel port of entry (typically Boulogne during this period) plus the English transit and sea charges."

USPCS census no. 35. Ex Knapp, Krug (Siegel Sale 210), Eno, Pope, Boker and Gross. Signed Ashbrook who notes "A rare way cover". With 1985 P.F. certificate.

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