3c Dull Red, Type II (11A). Margins to clear, tied by bold "65" cents due handstamp on folded letter from Funchal, Madeira Island, to Kingston Mass. via England, letter datelined July 16, 1855 at Funchal, bold strike of "John Blandy & Sons Madeira" double-oval forwarder's handstamp, carried on the Pluto which is reported by the London Standard of Aug. 3, 1855 to have arrived at Devonport, England on Aug. 3, after sailing from Sierra Leone on June 20, partly clear strike of "PACKET LETTER/DEVONPORT" two-line handstamp ties stamp, red London backstamp of August 3, manuscript "60" cents accountancy marking for debit to U.S., carried on the Cunarder America from Liverpool on Aug. 4, arriving Boston Aug. 17, corresponding to "Boston Br. Pkt. Aug. 1?" backstamp (second digit of date torn off backflap), the "65" due applied in Boston before carriage to Kingston

VERY FINE. A RARE 1851 ISSUE COVER FROM MADEIRA TO THE UNITED STATES VIA ENGLAND.

This was carried from Madeira by a British Royal Navy steamer returning from the anti-slavery West Africa Squadron, calling on Madeira en route to Devonport. The manuscript 60 cents debit consisted of 1 shilling 10d packet service (44 cents) plus 16 cents due for ocean postage. The U.S. postmaster added 5c for inland postage for a total of 65c due. The 3c stamp performed no service and was disregarded. How it got on a cover from Madeira is open for speculation--perhaps a U.S. warship carrying stamps called on Madeira. In any event, this is a fascinating and rare use. We thank Richard Winter for the route and rate analysis

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