3c Orange Brown, Type II (10A). Beautiful glowing color, small adherence in left margin, margins to just in at right, tied by bold blue "2cts" in circle handstamp with matching "TROY & NEW YORK/STEAM BOAT" framed handstamp and "Troy N-Y Aug. 25" circular datestamp on cover to Buffalo N.Y., "2cts" marking is obliterated with a blue grid of the same size and "Due 7cts" struck to left

EXTREMELY FINE. A REMARKABLE "TROY & NEW YORK STEAM BOAT" COVER WITH THE 3-CENT 1851 ORANGE BROWN AND DUE 7-CENTS MARKINGS.

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 and in late 1851 or early 1852 the practice of collecting the additional 2c was discontinued. This cover may have been uprated for weight and charged 5c for the unpaid second rate (plus the 2c fee).

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