5c Red Brown (1). Ample margins to just barely into frameline at bottom, dark shade and intermediate impression, tied by brilliant "paint red" grid cancel, matching "Mobile Ala. Mar. 25" (1850) circular datestamp on folded letter datelined at New Orleans to Paris, France, sender's blue oval "Th. Bailey-Blanchard & Co. New Orleans" handstamp on back, red Liverpool transit backstamp (Apr. 16), red "COLONIES/&c ART. 13" framed Anglo-French accountancy handstamp, Calais transit and "15" decimes due handstamp, lightly cleaned

VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND COLORFUL USE OF THE 5-CENT 1847 ISSUE FROM NEW ORLEANS TO FRANCE VIA MOBILE, ALABAMA.

This is an extremely rare packet boat "way" letter from New Orleans to Mobile, then to Boston for transatlantic service to England. It was carried on the Cunarder Niagara, departing Boston April 3, 1850, and arriving Liverpool April 16. There is no indication of a way fee charged or collected. This is the mate to the 10c 1847 cover offered in lot 537.

Ex Dr. Kapiloff.

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