| 1599 |
 |
 2c Black, E. Grill (87). Sharp impression, used
with 15c Black (77) and vertical pair of 3c Red, F. Grill (94), 3c pair has slight pre-use creases (which appear to be from production), 15c few short perfs, all stamps tied by circle of wedges cancel, "Portland Me. Nov. 10" (1868) circular
datestamp on bright buff cover to Athens, Greece, red "New York Paid All Br. Transit Nov. 11" circular datestamp on back, red Verviers-Cologne four-line datestamp (Nov. 24), backstamped at Trieste (Nov. 25) and Athens (Dec. 21 -- Gregorian
calendar), neat receipt docketing (Dec. 9, 1868)VERY FINE. A COLORFUL AND RARE THREE-DENOMINATION GRILLED AND UNGRILLED ISSUE FRANKING PAYING THE 23-CENT RATE TO GREECE BY NORTH GERMAN UNION CLOSED MAIL. The rate to Greece via North German
Union Closed Mail was reduced from 24c to 23c in June 1868. This cover, dated in November 1868, bears a very unusual and possibly unique franking for the rate -- instead of two 10c and one 3c stamps (or overpaying the rate), the sender affixed a
combination of three different denominations, including the 15c Lincoln (without grill) and 2c Black Jack (E Grill), adding up exactly to the 23c required postage. The cover was carried on the Cunarder Cuba, which departed New York on November
11, 1868, and arrived in Liverpool on November 22 -- the stop at Queenstown was skipped due to a heavy gale. (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com |
E. $ 5,000-7,500
SOLD for $7,500.00
Will close during Public Auction |
