Lot
970 
(TransA - Collins) 1857 (Apr. 7) Washington D.C. to Paris, France, cover bearing 1¢ blue (7) and 10¢ green, type IV-II (16-14) horizontal pair, pos. 74-75L, large margins to in at top, all tied by "Washington D.C., Apr 7" cds to Paris, France, red "New York 'Paid 6' Apr 11" credit exchange cds, carried for Collins Line by Alps from New York Apr. 11th to Liverpool arriving Apr. 25th, red Calais (4.25) entry cds; small left edge flaw, Very Fine and rare voyage, Carried on the second of only two voyages by Alps.; with 1998 A.P.S. certificate. Scott No. 16-14; $2,000 as used pair Estimate $500 - 750.
"Alps" of the Cunard Line was chartered to carry the "Baltic" mails from New York on Feb. 14th 1857. "Baltic" had required extensive voyage repairs after returning to New York on Feb. 6th. On the return voyage, Alps went by way of Boston. No contract mails were carried on the return voyage as the Collins Line had made no arrangements with Cunard for this voyage. See Hubbard's articles in Chronicles 84 and 102.
Realized: $600