3c Dull Red, Type II (11A). Large margins to clear, tied by perfect strike of "Way - Letter--1 Cent" straightline handstamp with pointing hand and integral fee, "Stapleton N.Y. Jun. 20" (1854) circular datestamp on cover to Troy N.Y. which entered the mail on Staten Island, original letter enclosure datelined at Stapleton on June 18, 1854, red "We are so happy together" etiquette label on flap

EXTREMELY FINE. A SPECTACULAR AND RARE EXAMPLE OF THIS WAY MARKING ON A 3-CENT 1851 ISSUE COVER.

Way mail was loose letters picked up along post roads by steamboats, railroads, stagecoaches or post riders. It was delivered to a post office where it entered the mails and 1c was collected--either prepaid by stamps or paid by the recipient. This unusual "Way Letter" handstamp with an integral 1c fee is very rare and extraordinarily well-struck.

With 2009 P.F. certificate. Discussed in Chronicle 35 (p.6)

Image Magnifier / Download

Power Search for Comparables