Lot
3206 
1869, 15¢ brown & blue, type II, strong colors, tied by blue cork cancel duplexed with "Paris Ky. Jul 4" cds on 1870 Phantom Rate cover to Paris, France, indistinct red "New York, Paid All, Br. Transit" exchange backstamp and matching "6" credit handstamp, red London Paid (7.19) transit and matching "PD" oval, Calais (7.20) entry cds and Paris (7.21) arrival backstamp; reduced at left, Very Fine and attractive, ex-Hubbard, Coulter, Eubanks, Gilbart; with 2006 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 119 Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
A COLORFUL EXAMPLE OF THE THE PHANTOM RATE TO FRANCE SHOWING AN EARLY APPLICATION OF THE 6¢ CREDIT TO ENGLAND EFFECTIVE FROM JULY 1, 1870.
New York postmaster was aware that letters prepaid 10¢ could be sent fully paid to France in the British open mails. The public was unaware of the rate. This unannounced rate (sometimes referred to as a "phantom" rate) paid the letter to destination in France even though there was no treaty between the U.S. and France. New York credited 6¢ to G.B. and London marked the red circle PD to indicate the letter was properly paid from England to destination in France. This unannounced rate existed from July 1st 1870 to October 28th 1871, at which time the rate was published by the Postmaster General.
Realized: $850