5c Red Brown (12). Ample to large margins, rich color, used with two vertical pairs and single 12c Black (17), each with sheet margin at bottom, other sides large to slightly in, tied by "Washington D.C. Jul. 23" (1857) circular datestamps on cover to Porto Grande, Isle St. Vincent, Cape Verde Islands, addressed to Lieut. E. C. Stout aboard the U.S.S. St. Louis--this navy vessel was patrolling the waters off the west coast of Africa to capture slave traders--red "(New-Yor)k Am. Pkt. (Jul.) 25" circular datestamp on back (only part remains), magenta manuscript "44" credit--carried on the New York & Havre Line Fulton, departing New York July 25, 1857, and arriving at Southampton August 6--red British transit datestamp (August 6), 5c tiny tear at bottom and corner creases, top stamps in 12c pairs have small faults and margin toning, backflap and part of side flap removed, slightly reduced at top, repaired just above the red British datestamp

FINE APPEARANCE. THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT 1856 ISSUE USED ON A COVER TO THE CAPE VERDE ISLANDS. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE DESTINATION FOR MAIL DURING THE 1851-56 IMPERFORATE ISSUE ERA.

Cape Verde is a series of ten volcanic islands off the west coast of Africa, discovered by Portuguese explorers in the 15th century. It was an important location in the slave trade and was prosperous until efforts increased to limit the slave trade. A review using Power Search did not find any other 1851-56 Issue covers sent to Cape Verde.

From our 1975 Rarities sale. Ex Mayer (book, p.144 where described as one of two covers to Cape Verde, but we record only one), Hackmey and Gross. With 2006 P.F. certificate

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