5c Red Brown (1). Beautiful warm shade (approaching Orange Brown of late printings), cleaned-plate impression, large to huge margins except at top where close, tied by two bold blue grid cancels, matching "Troy N.Y. Apr. 23" (1851) circular datestamp on folded letter to Perth, Canada West, stamp placed one inch from right edge with manuscript "Due 5" in blank space, manuscript "Via Cape Vincent or Ogdensburgh N.Y." route directive, sent via Ogdensburgh as evidenced by red "U. States" in arc with shield, manuscript "3" pence Canadian due

VERY FINE. ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL UNITED STATES AND CANADIAN CROSS-BORDER FRANKINGS, WITH 5-CENT 1847 STAMP ACCEPTED FOR HALF OF THE NEW 10-CENT TREATY RATE TO CANADA AND 3-PENCE COLLECTED FROM ADDRESSEE.

The treaty rate of 10c U.S. or 6p Canadian began on April 6, 1851. The 1847 Issue was demonetized on July 1, 1851, leaving a brief period in which 1847 stamps could be used to prepay the treaty rate. This cover is very unusual, because it shows the 5c 1847 prepaying U.S. postage with Canadian postage collected in cash. The treaty specified that letters had to be entirely prepaid or sent collect. The cover offered here is unusual because the part payment of 5c was accepted. The counterpart to this franking is the legitimate combination of a 5c 1847 and Canada 3p Beaver.

Ex "Sevenoaks" and Mirsky. Illustrated and described in an article in Chronicle 183 (copy accompanies). With 1998 P.F. certificate

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