3c Dull Red, Type I (11). Block of four, margins clear to large except partly touching along top, deep rich color approaching the rare 1856 Orange Brown shade, each stamp with matching Canadian target cancel on light buff cover from London, Upper Canada, to oil merchant F.S. Pease in Buffalo N.Y., "London U.C. JA31 1857" circular datestamp, bottom left stamp with small scissors-cut and top left stamp with tiny tear, cover with minor stain at right edge

VERY FINE. A SPECTACULAR AND UNIQUE USE OF A BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 3-CENT 1851 ISSUE, APPLIED IN CANADA ON A COVER TO THE UNITED STATES AND ACCEPTED AS FULLY PAID BY BOTH.

In contrast to the mixed-franking cover offered in lot 259, this cover, which overpaid the 10c treaty rate, was accepted in Canada as fully prepaid, even though franked entirely with U.S. stamps. Approximately six examples of the 3c 1851 used from Canada are known. This is the only cover with a block and, in our opinion, is one of the most outstanding cross-border covers from any period.

Ex Bilden and from our 1995 Rarities sale. Illustrated in Brookman (Vol. I, p. 146). Signed Ashbrook. With 1995 P.F. certificate

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