10c Yellow (116). Horizontal pair and single, vibrant color, small tear in one, tied by segmented cork cancels and "Newark N.J. Nov. 2" (1869) circular datestamp on cover with printed address to Beirut, Syria, printed route instructions "French Mail via Marseilles" and "Paid Under 1/4 oz.", red New York (Nov. 3) and blue Calais (Nov. 14) transits, red crayon "21" credit, blue "PD" framed handstamp, Beirut receiving backstamp (Nov. 30), small piece of backflap missing

VERY FINE. AN UNUSUAL AND BEAUTIFUL COVER FROM THE REVEREND DENNIS MISSIONARY CORRESPONDENCE TO BEIRUT, SYRIA. ONLY TWO OF THE NINE RECORDED 10-CENT 1869 COVERS TO SYRIA WERE SENT VIA FRENCH MAIL.

The 30c French Mail rate to Syria was in effect until December 31, 1869. There are nine 10c 1869 covers to Syria (eight listed in the 1869 PRA Census), but only two were prepaid 30c for the French Mail rate while it was in effect. The others were sent via North German Union Mail. This cover missed the HAPAG sailing to Cherbourg on Nov. 2 and was sent instead on the Cunarder Scotia, which departed N.Y. on Nov. 3 and arrived in Queenstown on Nov. 12. The 21c credit and the Calais transit datestamp indicate transit through England. The other recorded 30c French Mail cover to Syria has an 18c credit and Cherbourg transit (direct to France).

Ex Juhring, Grunin and Coulter. With 2006 P.F. certificate.

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