Lot 1032 France #12 1877 pre-UPU France to Canada redirected, a folded letter mailed from Paris (Place de la Bourse JUL.5.1877) to Québec City (JAN.20 receiver on back) through London (JUL.6 PAID transit on front, plus an orange crayon “1d”). The letter was then forwarded to Rivière du Loup en Bas, by adding a 3c Small Queen, tied by a Québec duplex on JUL.20. The letter was finally received there on the same day. A lovely three-colour, dual country franking on a folded letter (no letter inside), with a vertical crease and tear at top, both not affecting the stamps or the pleasing visual aspect. Letters are scarce to rare from France to Canada in this period, and this one is no exception, especially with its added interest. Estimate $1,500.
Paris
Lot 851, USA 1870 five cent Jefferson pair with F grill on cover Syracuse to Paris
Lot 851 United States 1870 #95 5c Jefferson Pair with “F” Grill on Cover to Paris. Cover (still with its contents) was mailed Syracuse March 8, through New York March 15, arrived Cherbourg March 26. The envelope was carried by the Silesia (Hamburg America Line) arriving at Plymouth March 25. The USA-France postal convention was cancelled at the end of 1869 so ten cents prepaid the rate to the French border. The large “8” (decimes) was to collect the rate from Cherbourg to Paris. Missing part of its backflap, still fine and desirable. This item has a 1976 Philatelic Foundation certificate identifying it as #95 genuinely used on cover. This is reported to be a very early use of the #95. Scott catalogue value of a pair is $1,900 and a single on cover catalogues $950. Estimate C$750.
