Lot
1180 
1851, 12¢ black, diagonal bisect, uncancelled on cover Roxbury Mass. with red "Via Nicaragua / Ahead of the Mails." framed handstamp, black "New-York 'Ship 7' Sep 25" integral due cds with manuscript "7" restatement and at left; some minor edge wear, F.-V.F.; with 2012 P.F. certificate. Scott Nos. 17a Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
AN EXTREMELY RARE USE OF THE 1851 12¢ BISECT IN COMBINATION WITH THE "VIA NICARAGUA/AHEAD OF THE MAILS" HANDSTAMP.
During the period from 1853 to April 1855, bisected 1851 12¢ stamps were used on mail from San Francisco to prepay the 6¢ over 3,000 miles rate to the east coast. Upon arrival in New York, the bisects were either accepted or rejected. In this case, the New York office did not accept the bisect and corrected applied the New York "Ship" cds and 7¢ due rating for a non-contract ship letter to another post office.
Realized: $2,100