Sam Nickle

Lot 31 Canada #4xi 1855 3d scarlet vermilion Beaver Combination Rate Cover to England, mailed from Hamilton UC on OCT.22.1855 (free strike of a double broken circle) and addressed to Patrington, England, carried on the Cunard Line Packet Canada and arrived Liverpool on NOV.4.1855 (tombstone receiver in red). The cover is franked with a pair plus a single 3d scarlet vermilion imperforate Beavers on thin, wove paper. The extra 1d required was paid in cash, as evidenced by the “PAID 1D.” handstamp in red (the only known example of this handstamp). This is the only known cover having been paid in this manner, and it is believed the Hamilton Post Office ran out of 10d Cartier stamps (issued in DEC 1854), and the only other denomination possible to use would have been the ½d, but it was not issued until later in AUG.1857, so this was the only option. The 10d rate was in effect from March 23, 1854 to June 30, 1859. Small tears at top do not detract, very fine and rare. Ex. Lubke, Nickle, Wilkinson and Cloutier. Est $750, sold for C$3,600 plus buyer’s premium.