6c Ultramarine (115). Wide margins with natural s.e. at right, tied by clear strike of "St. John N.B./Ship Letter" two-line handstamp on cover to Newcastle, New Brunswick, sender's route instructions "Pr. Stm. Mail", "St. John N.B. SE 7 69" backstamp where it entered the mails, Newcastle receiving backstamp, neatly docketed with Sep. 4, 1869 origin date

EXTREMELY FINE. THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE "ST. JOHN N.B./SHIP LETTER" HANDSTAMP ON AN 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE COVER. A REMARKABLE POSTAL HISTORY RARITY IN IMMACULATE CONDITION.

This cover was correctly prepaid for the 6c rate to Canada and the maritime provinces, but instead of entering a U.S. post office, it was evidently posted directly on the northbound steamer on one of its regular runs between Boston, Portland, Eastport and St. John. It was probably mailed from Eastport, Maine. On arrival at St. John, it was treated as a fully prepaid letter, and the stamp was cancelled with the St. John ship-letter marking.

Illustrated in Baker's U.S. Classics (p. 268). Ex Colonel Green, Newbury, Baker, Haas and Coulter. With 2006 P.F. certificate.

Image Magnifier / Download

Power Search for Comparables