12c Black, Diagonal Half Used as 6c (17a). Bottom right half tied by "New-York Ship Sep. 25" (ca. 1853-54) circular datestamp on cover to West Chester Pa., clear strike of red "VIA NICARAGUA/AHEAD OF THE MAILS" framed handstamp applied in San Francisco, bold "6" due handstamp overstruck by New York datestamp, also crossed out and re-rated "7" due in blue manuscript (5c plus 2c ship fee), some slight edgewear, stamp with negligible small tear at bottom

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE USE OF THE 1851 12-CENT BISECT IN COMBINATION WITH THE "VIA NICARAGUA/AHEAD OF THE MAILS" HANDSTAMP AND NEW YORK SHIP-LETTER DATESTAMP. A FASCINATING COVER SHOWING CORRECTED RATING AS AN UNPAID SHIP LETTER.

During the period from 1853 to April 1855, bisected 12c 1851 stamps were used on mail from San Francisco to prepay the 6c over-3,000 miles rate to the East Coast. Upon arrival in New York, the bisects were either accepted or rejected. In this case, the New York office did not accept the bisect, but incorrectly applied the 6c due marking for a letter received from a non-contract vessel addressed to the port of arrival. This was then corrected by applying the New York "Ship" datestamp and 7c rate for a non-contract ship letter to another post office (5c unpaid rate plus 2c ship fee).

Ex Grunin. With 2007 P.F. certificate

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