Brattleboro Vt., 5c Black on Buff (5X1). Position 9 above 10, each has three large margins, clear at bottom, each cancelled by red "Paid" straightline, the stamp at top applied first and tied to lettersheet, the stamp below applied immediately after and struck hard with "Paid" -- the impression ties thru paper, and offset from the "Paid" above is on the back of the stamp -- matching strikes of "Paid" and "Brattleboro Vt. Feb. 17" circular datestamp on 1847 blue folded letter to James H. Wells at Hartford Conn., file fold clear of stamps and markings

EXTREMELY FINE. THE ONLY RECORDED COVER WITH TWO OF THE BRATTLEBORO POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL STAMPS. THIS IS REGARDED WITHOUT EXCEPTION AS THE MOST IMPORTANT BRATTLEBORO COVER EXTANT, AND IT RANKS AMONG THE MOST OUTSTANDING COVERS IN UNITED STATES PHILATELY.

This letter to James H. Wells states "I received the inclosed letter yesterday...", which substantiates the double 5c rate for weight exceeding a half ounce. It was discovered in 1936 along with two other folded letters to Wells in Hartford, each with a single Brattleboro stamp.

The unpublished Brattleboro census by Philip T. Wall lists a total of 52 stamps, including 20 stamps on 19 covers. There is no recorded multiple of any size, and this is the only multiple franking.

Illustrated in Lidman's Treasury of Stamps (p. 59) and Life magazine, "World's Rarest Stamps" (May 3, 1954). Ex Caspary, Weill, DuPuy and Wall.

With 1989 P.F. certificate. Scott value for this cover is based on realization in the 2000 Rarities of the World sale ($100,000 hammer).

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