Lot
1437 
1858 (Jul. 3) Wilmington Del. to Singapore, cover to the U.S. Consul Thomas Biddle bearing 10¢ green, type III (33) strip of three, s.e. at bottom, pretty shade, tied by circular grid cancels, matching neat strike of "Wilmington Del. Jul. 3" cds, red "New-York Br. Pkt. Jul 7" exchange cds and magenta manuscript "28" credit for 33¢ British Mail rate -- evidently underpaid as there is no evidence of missing stamp -- carried by Cunard Line Persia from New York Jul. 7th to Liverpool arriving Jul. 17th, red London Paid (7.17) transit cds also ties stamps and second strike at left, red manuscript "1" pence Colonial credit rating, then by P&O Colombo from Southampton Jul. 20th to Alexandria arriving Aug. 3rd, then P&O Candia from Suez Aug. 6th to Galle arriving Aug. 20th, then P&O Pekin Aug. 21st to Singapore arriving Aug. 29th; edge wear affects strip, small tear at top of cover and partial flap, F.-V.F. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
A SCARCE 1857 ISSUE USE TO SINGAPORE.
The New York exchange office apparently accepted the 3¢ short payment for the 33¢ British mail rate via Southampton. The sender could have intended to send it by the 30¢ French mail rate for up to a ¼ ounce, but the routing endorsement was "per Overland Mail via "Galle" Ceylon".
Realized: $1,150