Lot 3231
1877 (Mar. 2) Philadelphia Pa. to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 3¢ green entire bearing 2¢ vermilion (178) pair, 5¢ blue (179) s.e. at left, and 15¢ yellow orange (163) pair, all tied by fancy cross foreign mail cancels, red-orange "Philad'a. Pa., Paid All, Mar 2" exchange cds and red crayon "160/2" centimes credit to G.B., carried by Inman Line City of Richmond from New York Mar. 2nd to Queenstown arriving Mar. 12th, red London Paid (3.13) transit cds, Pacific Steam Navigation Co. John Elder from Liverpool Mar. 21st to Rio de Janeiro Apr. 12th, Rio de Janeiro (4.12.77) arrival backstamp and matching "3r." framed handstamp for inland postage due; central file fold, left 2¢ creased, Very Fine and attractive use.Estimate $500 - 750.
ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED COVERS WITH THIS UNUSUAL PHILADELPHIA FOREIGN MAIL CROSS FANCY CANCEL.
This cover was prepaid 42¢ for double the 21¢ treaty rate weighing ½ to 1 oz comprising 5¢ GPU rate plus 16¢ British packet. Philadelphia 160 centimes (32¢) credit to U.K. for two-times 8d British packet rate to Brazil. Brazil became a GPU member on 1 July 1877.
Realized: $2,100