Lot
5215 
(Greece) 1871 (Oct. 2) Clinton, N.Y. to Athens, Greece, cover bearing 12¢ black, E grill (90) clear grill, and 6¢ carmine, H grill (137), s.e. at right and with discernible grill on forehead, each tied by circle of wedges cancel duplexes with "Clinton N.Y., Oct 2" cds, red "New York, Paid All, Oct 4" exchange cds and red crayon "8" cent credit rating, carried by Cunard Line Russia from New York Oct. 4th to Queenstown arriving Oct. 13th, red "P.D." paid direct handstamp and blue crayon "1½" sgr, reverse with Trieste (10.16) oval and Athens receiving backstamp; some edge wear, Very Fine, ex-Vogel, Gliedman. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
A CHOICE 1868 AND 1870 GRILLED ISSUE COMBINATION FRANKING PREPAYING THE 18¢ RATE TO GREECE VIA NORTH GERMAN UNION CLOSED MAIL.
In July 1870, the NGU Direct Mail rate was reduced to 15¢ with a corresponding reduction of the 23¢ NGU Closed Mail rate to 18¢. The extra transit charge for letters to Greece was 8¢ for the entire NGU period. Cover to Greece in these years are uncommon as there was little emigration from Greece and no large finds of business or professional correspondence. The recipient Dr. Edward North was a Professor of Greek at Hamilton College, Clinton N.Y. before his appointment as Secretary of the Legation at Athens. This letter was probably sent by a friend there.
Realized: $4,500