Crude Negative "H", perfect strike ties 6¢ carmine (148), intense color and impression, on 1872 orange buff cover to Bremen, Germany, indistinct "New York Paid All Direct Dec 14" exchange cds, carried on the NGL Line America, red framed Bremen "Franco" (12.28) framed transit postmark, Aichim (12.28) arrival backstamp; opened at right, a Very Fine and choice use, ex-Kaplan, Albert, Weiss, Ainsworth, Kirke, Richards. Weiss No. TR-M9  Estimate $750 - 1,000. THE FINEST STRIKE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS CANCEL, WHICH SPAN ONLY THREE DAYS OF USE. Experts are trying to solve the "what is it" question of this unusual cancel. We feel it is a crude negative "H", but others have suggested a mug. The recorded covers are from December 12 to December 14, 1872. Illustrated in Weiss NYFM on page 459. $0 (Image)