30c Gray Black (165). Used with 3c Green (158), 6c Dull Pink (159) and three 5c Blue (179), tied by cork cancels, red "New York Paid Sup. Dec. 16" Type E Supplementary Mail (1875) circular datestamp on cover to Montpellier, France, small boxed "PD" handstamp, carried on HAPAG steamer Frisia, arriving Plymouth Dec. 26, transit and receiving backstamps, cover with some small tears and small piece missing underneath stamps which are unaffected save for a small corner perf crease on the 30c and a pulled perf on right 5c

VERY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING FOUR-COLOR COMBINATION OF 1873-75 BANK NOTE ISSUES FOR A TRIPLE-RATE SUPPLEMENTARY MAIL COVER TO FRANCE.

The new U.S.-France treaty effective Aug. 1, 1874 set the reciprocal prepaid rate at 9c per 15 grams. This franking paid triple the 9c treaty rate plus an equivalent 27c for Supplementary Mail, allowing it to be processed in New York after the regular mails had closed.

Ex Noel.

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