Lot
318 
New Zealand, 1863, Queen Victoria "Chalon Head", 1d orange vermilion on pelure paper, imperf, horizontal pair, unwatermarked, margins large to just touching at top and bottom, tied by barred oval handstamps on folded letter sheet to Wellington, reverse with "Wanganui, No 10, 1864" origin cds and front with "Wellington, No 12, 1864" receiving postmark; cover with couple edge tears at top center, Very Fine, an extremely rare on cover usage, S.G. catalog £5,500 for off cover singles, illustrated in Odenweller Postage Stamps of New Zealand 1855-1873 (page 99). Scott No. 21.SG No. 81 Estimate $4,000 - 6,000.
AN EXTRAORDINARY ON COVER USAGE OF THE 1863 1D ISSUE ON PELURE PAPER - ONE OF TWO REPORTED ON COVER EXAMPLES AND A GREAT CLASSIC NEW ZEALAND RARITY.
With the relatively small demand for the 1d denomination, coupled with the brief use of the pelure paper issue, it is quite likely only a single small printing was made. Pairs of the 1d stamp were used when the 2d was not available or when it was not convenient. This letter took two days from Wanganui to Wellington, probably an overland route instead of the normal sea route for most mail.
Realized: $5,500