1c Blue, Type IV (9). Two, pre-use creases, large margins except one just touched at top, used with 3c Dull Red, Type I (11), small corner crease, large margins to just in, tied by "Philadelphia Pa. Dec. 19" (1853) circular datestamps on blue folded letter to St. Petersburg, Russia, from the William L. Winans correspondence, red "New York Br. Pkt. Dec. 20" circular datestamp, carried on the Cunarder Niagara, departing Boston Dec. 21, 1853, and arriving Liverpool Jan. 3, 1854, red London transit backstamp (Jan. 4), red "Seebrief per England & Aachen 1/5" (Jan. 5) backstamp, manuscript "1/-" shilling due marking, blue manuscript "11/3" silbergroschen marking, vertical file fold does not affect stamps

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EARLY USE OF UNITED STATES STAMPS FOR BRITISH OPEN MAIL TO RUSSIA.

William Winans arrived in Russia with his brother in 1843, as part of a $3 million contract to supply railroad locomotives and cars for the new railroad between St. Petersburg and Moscow, which was completed in 1851. From 1852, William was the chief manager of the Russian operation, which had a lucrative contract for making and maintaining running stock for the growing Russian railroad network--it was reported their contracted fees were 17 times higher than in any other country in Europe. During the Crimean War the firm's operations expanded, and Winans acted as the U.S. vice-consul in St. Petersburg. The contract expired in 1862, and Winans left Russia a millionaire.

Ex Piller, Giamporcaro ("Tito"), Hackmey and Gross. With 1993 P.F. certificate.

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