Lot
1054 
1858 (Dec.) Victoria, Vancouver Island to San Francisco Cal., buff cover bearing 3¢ dull red (26) tied by "Victoria, V.I., Paid" handstamp signifying the British Columbian postage was prepaid, entered U.S. mails where cancelled by "San Francisco Cal, Dec 8, 1858" cds; reduced slightly at left and some stains, Fine and early use from British Columbia. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
AN EXCEPTIONALLY EARLY USE FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA TO THE UNITED STATES SHORTLY AFTER ESTABLISHMENT.
Illustrated and discussed in Chronicle 56 on pages 92-93. The November 1858 Vancouver Island Postal Notice set the Vancouver Island colonial postage rate of 2½ pence and was applied without regard to weight on all mail leaving Victoria for foreign destinations, and was recognized on letters either by means of a handstamped frank as in this cover or a Vancouver Island postage stamp. It is interesting that cancelling the U.S. postage was against regulations but apparently tolerated at this very early stage of postal relations since British Columbia was established on November 19, 1858.