1849 (Oct. 8) Philadelphia, Pa. to Cognac, France, folded letter with blue "Philada Pa. Oct 8" cds and matching "Paid" h.s., red "Paid 5" cents rating handstamp for the 5¢ British open mail rate, carried by Cunard Line America from Boston Oct. 10 to Liverpool arriving Oct. 21, London transit backstamp with red "Colonies &cArt. 13" framed h.s., Calais (10.23) entry cds with black "15" decimes due rating, Very Fine, one of four recorded examples of this provisional Philadelphia "Paid 5" marking. Estimate  $200 - 300. This cover shows the discovery example of a new Philadelphia rate handstamp. This must be considered a provisional rate marking since it was used for a short time, only eight days, until the "Phila/5/Paid" marking (also a provisional marking) was introduced. $0 (Image)