5c Red Brown (12). Horizontal strip of three and single, full to large margins essentially throughout, close only at bottom of center stamp in strip, both tied by "New Orleans La. Nov. 8" (1856) circular datestamp on blue folded letter to Pontay, France, red "New York Am. Pkt. Nov. 15" circular datestamp, carried by New York & Havre Line steamer Fulton on Nov. 17, arriving Le Havre on Dec. 1, red "Outre-Mer Le Havre 1 Dec. '56" arrival datestamp for incoming ship (non-contract) mail, "6" decimes due handstamp, transit and receiving backstamps, just a slight hint of cover toning mentioned for accuracy but not described on accompanying certificate

VERY FINE. THE ONLY 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE COVER CORRECTLY PREPAYING THE 20-CENT RATE TO FRANCE VIA AMERICAN PACKET DIRECT. ONE OF THE MOST OUTSTANDING 1856 5-CENT JEFFERSON IMPERFORATE COVERS IN EXISTENCE.

The Act of March 3, 1851, set the direct American Packet plus inland postage at 20c per half ounce, effective July 1. The two ships of the Havre line, Fulton and Arago, made only twelve trips during the twelve months between the 5c 1856 stamp's issue date and implementation of the new 15c U.S.-France treaty rate (Frajola and Mayer, p. 56). While there are a few other covers bearing multiple copies of the 5c 1856 stamp that were sent via American Packet, this is the only one on which the 20c rate was correctly prepaid. Two others from the Mayer collection bear 21c in postage, sufficient for any service to France.

Illustrated in Henry Hill 5c 1856-61 book (p. 18); Brookman Vol. I (p. 152, where it is misdescribed); and in Frajola and Mayer (p. 56).

Ex Stephen D. Brown, Edward S. Knapp, Philip G. Rust, Ryohei Ishikawa, Frederick R. Mayer and Steven Walske.

With 1993 P.F. certificate.

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