5c Red Brown (12). Two vertical pairs, each is a B/C Relief combination, it is possible they were originally a block of four, large to huge margins, beautiful deep rich color, tied by two neat strikes of "Albany N.Y. Apr. 18" circular datestamp with a third strike on cover to Stockton Cal., small sealed opening tear in cover at right not affecting the stamps and not mentioned on certificate

EXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING FRANKING FOR THE DOUBLE 10-CENT TRANSCONTINENTAL RATE FROM ALBANY, NEW YORK, TO STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA. THIS IS THE ONLY COVER WITH 5-CENT STAMPS PAYING DOUBLE THE 10-CENT TRANSCONTINENTAL RATE. ONE OF THE GREATEST DOMESTIC COVERS BEARING THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE.

The Mayer collection contained a cover paying double the 10c transcontinental rate, but it was franked with a single 5c stamp and five 3c stamps. The cover offered here, with four 5c stamps with huge margins, is truly remarkable.

Ex Caspary, where this cover sold in 1956 for $4,300 to Henry W. Hill (it was not, however, in our 1959 sale of the Hill collection). It then sat in an old-time collection until 2015, when it was offered in the Siegel sale of the "European Connoisseur's" collection (Sale 1115, lot 2107).

Signed Ashbrook. With 2015 P.F. certificate

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