5c Red Brown (1). Large margins to ample, worn-plate impression, tied by black grid and by red crayon "Due 5" on buff envelope with company handstamp on top flap to Montreal, Canada, red "Boston 10cts. 17 Apr." integral-rate circular datestamp, manuscript "3" pence Canadian due, 1851 receiving backstamp, slightly reduced at right, some slight wear not affecting stamp

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. 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.

Illustrated and described in Chronicle 67. Ex Sampson, Hart, Hackmey and Gross. With 1999 P.F. certificate.

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