1861, 24¢ steel blue. Vertical pair, each cancelled by neat grid cancel on 1862 cover to London, England, postmarked bold "Marblehead Mass. May 20, 1862" double-circle datestamp, cover has been decorated and sealed by selvage from a sheet of Great Britain 1p Red, Boston and London transits tie, selvage additionally used on backflaps, horizontal file fold passes between stamps but does not crease or separate them, bottom stamp with small corner crease ending in margin tear, Very Fine, extremely rare and unusual use of a Steel Blue pair; with 2001 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 70b  Estimate $1,500 - 2,000. $0 (Image)

1861, 24¢ steel blue. Rich color, tied by bold "Marblehead Mass. May 6" circular datestamp on unusual 1862 cover to London, England, sides of cover decorated and sealed by selvage from a sheet of the Great Britain 1p Red, selvage "tied" at top by boldly struck "Boston Br. Pkt. 19 Paid May 6" exchange circular datestamp, "Paid" handstamp, stamp with tiny perf tears at top, otherwise Very Fine, a striking cover and an attractive use of the 24¢ Steel Blue, ex-Sevenoaks, with 2001 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 70b  Estimate $1,500 - 2,000. $0 (Image)

1861, 24¢ steel blue. Two singles, deep rich color in the true Steel Blue shade, unusually choice centering, tied by grids on cover to Manchester, England with red "N. York Br. Pkt. 38 Dec. 24" credit datestamp at left, 1862 receiving backstamp, endorsed "Per Steamer Europa", sealed opening tear at top, otherwise Very Fine, scarce usage of the 24¢ Steel Blue. Scott No. 70b  Estimate $1,000 - 1,500. $0 (Image)