10c Black (2). Large margins to just touched at top, detailed impression, tied on small blue piece by full strike of blue "TROY & NEW YORK/STEAM BOAT"%$ framed rectangular handstamp

EXTREMELY FINE STRIKE OF THIS DESIRABLE STEAMBOAT CANCELLATION. THE TROY & NEW YORK STEAMBOAT HANDSTAMP IS EXTREMELY RARE ON THE 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE -- ONLY THREE 10-CENT COVERS ARE KNOWN WITH THIS MARKING AND NONE OF THESE HAVE THE MARKING CANCELLING THE STAMP.

According to the Alexander census book, the marking was used on non-contract steamboats carrying mails between New York City and Troy. At Troy the mails would enter the U.S. mail system (or vice versa). The town circular datestamp would also be used to indicate where it entered the mails, and this is what was used to cancel the stamps on the three known covers.

With 1987 P.F. certificate.

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