Lot
5228 
(Russia) 1868 (Sep. 15) Hartford, Conn. to St. Petersburg, Russia, amber cover bearing 30¢ orange (71) vertical pair, tied by magenta cross-roads fancy cancels duplexed with "Hartford, Conn., Sep 15" cds, red "New York, Paid All, Br. Transit, Sep 16" exchange backstamp and red crayon "15" cent credit, carried by Cunard Line Scotia from New York Sep. 16th to Liverpool arriving Sept. 26th, red "Verviers, Coeln, Franco" (9.28) transit also ties pair, blue crayon "fr" and "3" ratings; some wear, Very Fine and and rare. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
A EXCEPTIONAL 30¢ 1861 ISSUE USE AT TRIPLE THE 20¢ CLOSED MAIL RATE TO RUSSIA.
This cover was prepaid 60¢ for three times the 20¢ rate with corresponding credit of 15¢ for three times 5¢ transit fee.
Realized: $1,700
Lot
5229
(Russia) 1872 (Jul. 29) New York, N.Y. to St. Petersburg, Russia, all-over gray shaded New York Times advertising cover bearing 3¢ green (158) pair with nat. s.e. and two singles, tied by three strikes of bold NYFM circular grid cancels and red "New York '4' Aug 10" credit exchange cds, carried by Cunard Line Abyssinia from New York Aug. 10th to Queenstown arriving Aug. 19th, red "Franco" and "Wfr. 1½" handstamps, reverse with red crayon "3" and St. Petersburg (8.14 Julian, approx. 8.24) arrival backstamp, Extremely Fine. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
A BEAUTIFUL 1870 BANK NOTE ISSUE USE TO RUSSIA AT THE 11¢ CLOSED MAIL RATE.
The transit fee to Russia remained at 5¢ until August 1872, when lowered to 4¢. This cover was mailed only 10 days after the corresponding Closed Mail rate was lowered from 12¢ to 11¢.
Realized: $4,000