1873 (Aug. 27) St. Thomas to France via NDL Steamer to Germany, blue folded cover with address excised bearing 1872, 3¢ rose, perf, irregular at right, and horizontal pair of 1873, 4¢ dull blue, perf, each tied by bold strike of St. Thomas five-ring "missing wedge" cancel, matching "St. Thomas 27/8 1873" cds, red French "Allemagne, Paq. Amb. A., 13 Sept" entry cds with red "P.D." framed handstamp, red crayon "1" rating, sent at the 11¢ prepaid rate composed of 7¢ to Germany and 4¢ to France, Fine, ex-Blinn, Dubois; 1996 Paaskesen certificate. Facit No. 3 + 4. Scott No. 3 + 4  Estimate $20,000 - 30,000. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED PAIR OF THE 1873 4¢ DULL BLUE USED ON COVER. In 1871, the British post office announced a contract with Norddeutscher Llyod Bremen (NDL) to carry mails between Southampton, Venezuela, Panama, and, later that year, St. Thomas. This mail was dispatched through the Danish post office at St. Thomas. The NDL service lasted until March 1874. The other recorded 3¢ rose and 4¢ dull blue perf. combination franking is also dated Aug. 27, 1873 and was sent to Germany (ex-Schnell).References: Illustrated Danish West Indies Mail, 1754-1917, Volume 1 — Postal History, by John L. DuBois (2000). $0 (Image)