Lot
5204 
1875 (Apr. 27) Washington D.C. to Freiburg, Baden, gray "Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C." imprint cover bearing 6¢ Interior (O18) cancelled by bold quartered cork cancel duplexed with "Washington D.C., Apr 27" cds, tied by indistinct strike of red "New York, P.O., Apr 28" exchange cds, carried by Hapag Line Pommerania from New York Apr. 29th to Plymouth arriving May 9th, Freiburg (5.14) arrival backstamp, Very Fine and choice, ex-Huggins. Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
A RARE USE OF THE 6¢ INTERIOR DEPARTMENT ISSUE ON COVER TO GERMANY.
Lester C. Lanphear, in his comprehensive study of Official covers to foreign destinations in Chronicle 239 (Aug. 2013), records only 126 covers to any foreign destination. For the Interior Department he records 21 covers, mostly franked with 2¢ or 3¢ stamps. This is one of only two covers franked with a 6¢ stamp, the other is addressed to Italy.
Realized: $4,250