Lot
162 
1856, 5¢ red brown, originally a block of six subsequently reduced to a block of four, ample to large margins on two sides, touched or in on others, tied by "Wilmington Del. Sep 27" cds on 1856 buff cover to Schorndorf, Württemberg originally prepaid at the 30¢ Prussian Closed Mail rate, red "N. York Br. Pkt. 'Paid 7' Oct 1" exchange office c.d.s., carried by the Cunard Line steamer Asia that departed from New York on Oct. 1st to Liverpool arriving Oct. 13th, red boxed "Aachen Franco 15/10" transit, German backstamps including partial "Schorndorf 18 Oct 1856" receiver; the block at one time removed from the cover and then replaced in its original position, lower right stamp with small repaired surface fault, cover faulty with creasing and wear, Fine, ex-Gibson, Mayer. Scott No. 12 Estimate $5,000 - 7,500.
ONE OF NINE RECORDED 1856 5¢ BLOCKS, OF WHICH ONLY FOUR ARE ON COVER.
Reference: Illustrated in Frajola and Mayer, p. 112, fig. 9-9.