Lot
719 
1863, 2¢ black, used with 24¢ grayish lilac (78a), tied together by grid cancels, red "N. York, Brem. Pkt., Paid, Apr 25" cds on double-rate 1867 cover to Oldenburg, Germany prepaid at the 1867 13¢ rate via Bremen Mail, red crayon "20" cent credit for double rate, carried by NGL Line Deutschland from New York Apr. 25th to Bremen arriving May th, Oldenburg (5.8) receiving backstamp; flap tear and some minor soiling and corner wear, Fine and very rare rate, Very Fine and rare, ex Allen, Faust, Freidrich Mayer. Scott No. 73 Estimate $4,000 - 6,000.
ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED PROPERLY PREPAID USES AT THE SPECIAL 13¢ BREMEN MAILS RATE TO OLDENBURG, THIS BEING THE ONLY DOUBLE-RATE EXAMPLE.
In February 1867, the rate to Oldenburg via Hamburg Mail increased to 15¢ for a period of 10 months, until December 1867. However, the rate to Oldenburg via Bremen Mail remained at 13¢. The special Bremen 13¢ rate (5½ sgr) consisted of 10¢ international transit (4½ sgr) plus 3¢ (1 sgr) German inland postage. In the United States, this 13¢ tariff was practically unknown and the few emigrant letters to Oldenburg were mostly franked with 15¢ out of ignorance - so overpaid.
References: Illustrated in "The Harry F. Allen Collection of Black Jacks" by Lane on p. 52.
Realized: $4,000