(Registered) 1857, 3¢ rose, type II, strip of three and pair, positions 18-19-20R5L, 29-30R5L, all tied by two strikes of "Philadelphia Pa. Sep 7" cds on blue registered folded letter to Dr. Sebre Gustin, Surgeon Dentist at Chelsea Vt., registry number "3534", docketed "P.O. stamp lightly" at top left as letter oringinally contained gold foil; some minor corner wear and fold separations, Very Fine, ex-Piller. Scott No. 25A  Estimate $1,000 - 1,500. A RARE EARLY PREPAID REGISTRY USE WITH THE 3¢ TYPE II 1857 ISSUE. This letter weighed over one ounce as it contained ½ ounce of gold foil and was prepaid three-times the 3¢ letter rate plus 5¢ registration fee for a total of 14¢ postage overpaid by 1¢. There are three covers recorded from this correspondence showing prepayment of the 5¢ registration fee.From July 1, 1855, a 5¢ charge (payable in cash) was made for registered letters but it was not until after early 1857 that postmasters were allowed to identify that letters were registered or contained valuables. The 1857 postal laws and regulations required that registered letters be numbered on the upper left corner. It was never required that the word "Registered" or its equivalent be marked on the letter. $0 (Image)