Lot
3062 
1852, 3¢ dull red, type II, four margins, neat parallel lines pen cancel and tied by black "Calais, Etats Unis. Paq. Br. Serv., 19 Mai 53" entry cds and matching "13" decimes due handstamp on small 1856 cover to Malta, matching manuscript "Shelburne Mass Feb. 27" postmark, "Boston Am. Pkt. Feb. 29" leap year backstamp with additional "Boston Br. Pkt. Mar 2" cds, carried on Cunarder Asia departing Boston Mar. 5 to Liverpool arriving Mar. 18th, London (3.18) transit backstamp and manuscript "1/1" due debit rating, Very Fine and exceptionally rare use to Malta, ex-Grunin, Piller, Craveri; with 1993 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 11A Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED 1851 ISSUE COVERS TO MALTA.
It was treated as completely unpaid for British Open Mail. It may have been carried privately to its final destination, as the addressee was a minister and missionaries often hand-carried letters destined for other missionaries.
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Realized: $2,200