Lot
117 
1869, 10¢ yellow, tied in combination with 2¢ red brown (146) by cork cancels duplexed with "New Orleans La. Nov 8" cds on 1870 folded letter to Bordeaux, France, red "New-York Nov 16" exchange cds, red London (11.28) transit backstamp and bold "GB/40c" oval bulk accountancy handstamp, Cherbourg (11.29) entry cds and matching "8" decimes due rating handstamp, Bordeaux (12.2) arrival backstamp, small sealed cover tear at top, Extremely Fine; signed by Ashbrook on reverse. Scott No. 116 Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
This is an interesting cover franked with 12¢ in postage apparently prepaying the old 12¢ Phantom rate that had been lowered to 10¢ on July 1st 1870, with a corresponding reduction in the credit to GB from 8¢ to 6¢. However, this cover was not credited in New York for 6¢ to G.B., and Great Britain handled it at the 4¢ open mail rate with the "GB/40c" bulk debit marking. In France, it was handled as a direct ship letter, receiving an 8 décimes due rating. This lovely mixed issue franking sold for $2,200 in 1982.
Realized: $1,900