Lot
1533 
5¢ Red Brown, full to large margins, tied by bold "Philadelphia Pa. Apr. 21" cds on 1856 folded letter to Halifax, Nova Scotia, manuscript "10" and large blue "6" rating handstamp, endorsed "p. 'Cambria' via Boston", St. Andrews, St. Johns N.B. and Halifax (5.1) backstamps; stamp with tiny scissor cut at top, Very Fine and rare early use; Signed by Ashbrook and discussed in his Special Service. Scott No. 12 Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
Realized: $3,500
Lot
1534
5¢ Red Brown, margins to just in at right, tied by "New Orleans La. Feb 16" cds on folded prices current (printed on both sides) to Gènes (Genoa), Sardinia, reverse with "Boston Br. Pkt. Feb 23" cds, red London (3.9) and red Genoa (3.13) backstamps, Calais (3.10) transit on front with framed "G B / 1F 60C" debit handstamp and manuscript "10" (décimes) due rating; small cover tear at top, Very Fine. Scott No. 12 Estimate $500 - 750.
AN ATTRACTIVE 1856 5¢ ISSUE USE DURING THE THREE MONTHS PERIOD TO ITALY.
On January 1, 1857, a new postal treaty between Great Britain and France went into effect reducing the French due charges on mail transiting through Britain. On April 1, 1857, a new treaty between the United States and France went into effect standardizing rates between the two countries at 15¢ per ¼ ounce. The period between these two rate changes is referred to as the "Three Months Period". Only sixteen British and seven American packets carrying mail for France and beyond departed during this period. This letter was exchanged at New York City and carried on the tenth sailing during the Three Month period by Cunard Line steamer Africa, which departed from New York on February 18 and arrived at Liverpool on March 2.
Realized: $1,450
Lot
1535
5¢ Red Brown, four large margins, tied by "New Orleans La. Feb 17" cds on folded cover to Bordeaux, France, reverse with black "Boston Br. Pkt. 25 Feb." exchange office cds and red British "9 MR 1857" transit, "Angl. Amb. Calais 10 Mars. 57" entry cds with framed "G B / 1F 60C" debit and "8" (décimes) due handstamps, reverse with additional "Bordeaux 10 Mars 57" arrival cds, Fine, a rare three months period usage. Scott No. 12 Estimate $400 - 600.
Carried on the tenth sailing of British packet service during the Three-Months Period.
Realized: $600
Lot
1536
10¢ Green, Type III, pair, four margins, used with 1851, 3¢ dull red pair and 1851, 1¢ blue on back, split from opening, all cancelled by fancy split grid cancel on 1853-55 3¢ red Nesbitt buff entire to Wurttemberg Germany at the 30¢ P.C.M. rate, "Mt Carroll, Ill. Jul 29" cds, red New York exchange cds, Aachen (8.18) framed transit and German (8.21.57) arrival backstamp; some wear, F.-V.F. Scott No. 15 Estimate $400 - 600.
Realized: $400
Lot
1537
12¢ Gray Black, Block of Four, large margins at sides, just touching at top, tied by two of three strikes "Bristol R.I. Mar 10" cds on cover to Birmingham, England, red "38" credit handstamp and "America Paid Liverpool" (3.23) transit cds, reverse with "Boston Br. Pkt. Mar 11" exchange datestamp and "Birmingham Mar 24 1857" arrival cds; cover refolded at left with left vertical pair creased (and showing tiny abrasion) from where it was originally folded over the edge of the envelope, Fine and exceedingly rare, this is One of Only Five Or Six Recorded 1851 12¢ Issue Blocks Used on Cover. Scott No. 17; $5,500 off cover Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Realized: $2,500