Lot
2423 
Confederacy, Retvoyé En France, Sans Indication, De La Cause De Rebut (Sent Back To France Without Indication of the Reason For Rejection), blue three-line notification handstamp on reverse of folded letter from Marseille, France to New Orleans, La. franked with France 1860, 80¢ rose (20) tied by diamond "1896" lozenge handstamp, matching "Marseille, 14 Juin, 61" cds, Paris transit backstamp and red "New York, Paid 15, Jul 2" entry cds, cover returned to sender with notification applied; stamp with bottom left corner replaced and backflap tear barely affecting handstamp, an Extremely Fine strike of this unique marking. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
A UNIQUE FRENCH RETURN NOTIFICATION HANDSTAMP USED AFTER NORTH AND SOUTH MAIL SUSPENSION DURING THE CIVIL WAR.
By the time this cover from France reached New York, the mail routes between North and South had been suspended and mail from foreign countries was returned. This is the French equivalent of the British three-line "Sent Back to England" handstamp which was applied on covers returned from the South, however this is the only known example of this French marking.
Realized: $6,000