New Orleans La., 5c Red Brown on Bluish (62X4). Two horizontal pairs, Positions 21-22 and 29-30, full to large margins, cancelled by four strikes of "Paid" handstamp on 3c Pink on White entire (U35) with obsolete 1851 3c Brownish Carmine, Ty. II (11A) stamp, both frankings correspond to double U.S. and C.S.A. rates, 3c 1851 tied by "New Orleans La. 1 Sep." (1861) circular datestamp, addressed to "Hon. E. Y. Fair, Montgomery, Alabama" with addressee's docketing "Brussels 23 July" indicating origin in Belgium, rough opening along top, tearing away part of embossed stamp but not affecting provisionals or 3c 1851, could be restored

THIS REMARKABLE COVER IS UNIQUE IN SEVERAL RESPECTS -- MOST NOTABLY AS A COVER FROM EUROPE WITH THE NEW ORLEANS POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL.

This unusual cover was found with the Mobile cover offered in lot 749 and undoubtedly carried a letter from Mrs. Wyatt Fair in Brussels. If sent on a standard transatlantic steamship, then this was carried by the Cunarder Europa, departing Liverpool Jul. 27, 1861, arriving Boston Aug. 9.

The handwriting does not match the Mobile cover, but the use of a U35 entire indicates that the envelope had to have been addressed by someone in the northeast who had access to the new-issue 3c embossed envelope. That person probably enclosed Mrs. Fair's letter for delivery to Gen. Elisha Y. Fair and arranged for it to be carried south to New Orleans via diplomatic pouch. Based on the docketing, it originated in Brussels on July 23, 1861. It was routed through New Orleans, almost certainly through the Belgian consul, J. Deynoodt, or his vice-consul, J. Noblom. The unusual franking suggests that the sender used the new 3c entire and searched for a 3c stamp -- finding an old imperforate 1851 Issue -- in expectation that the letter would travel via the U.S. post office. The Belgian consul mailed the letter in New Orleans and affixed the two pairs of provisional stamps for the double 10c rate to Montgomery.

Ex Walske

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