10c Black (2). Mostly large margins to clear at top left, tied by blue grid, matching "Philadelphia Pa. Jul. 14" (1847) circular datestamp on year-dated folded letter to London, England, stamp also tied by light strike of red transit marking, clearly-struck 1847-dated London receiving circular datestamp on flap, manuscript "1/-" shilling due marking, folded out for display, trivial splitting along some folds

VERY FINE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE TRANSATLANTIC USAGE OF THE 1847 ISSUE, AND THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT 1847 STAMP ON MAIL CARRIED ABOARD THIS VOYAGE. IT IS ALSO THE EARLIEST KNOWN USE OF THE 10-CENT 1847 ISSUE TO A FOREIGN DESTINATION. ONE OF THE GREAT POSTAL HISTORY RARITIES OF THE 1847 ISSUE.

The 5c and 10c 1847 Issue stamps were issued on July 1, 1847. The earliest documented use is a domestic cover dated July 2 at New York City. At this time, the Cunard sailings were twice monthly. The first July 1847 sailing was the Cambria from Boston on the first day of the month. It was not possible for any 1847 Issue stamps to be used on that voyage, because Boston did not receive their supply of 1847 stamps until the following day. The next Cunarder to sail was the Caledonia, which left Boston on July 16. The cover offered here was posted in Philadelphia on July 14, and made it to Boston in time for the July 16 sailing. This is the only recorded 10c 1847 cover carried on this voyage. Two 5c 1847 covers are also recorded for this sailing, one of which is addressed to Ireland and has a July 15 New York datestamp (offered as lot 177 in this sale). The other 5c 1847 cover from this Caledonia sailing was mailed from New York to Liverpool, but it lacks a post office datestamp and is dated from the contents.

Aside from transatlantic usages, the earliest reported use to Canada is July 17. It is theoretically possible that an earlier cover to Canada or to another foreign destination which did not involve a transatlantic sailing could be found. However, as the record stands now, the cover offered here is the earliest 1847 Issue cover to a foreign destination.

Illustrated and described in Opinions IV, "An Important Change in Philatelic Foundation Policy: Certification of Earliest Known Date of Use", Jerome S. Wagshal (pages 42-60). Ex Pope and last offered to the market 25 years ago. With 1985 P.F. certificate stating "Genuinely used on cover; the earliest known usage of this stamp to a foreign destination, and the earliest possible usage of this stamp on trans-atlantic mail."

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