RARE UNDERPAID CARTIER 10d BLUE COVER EX TORONTO WITH "MORE ...

Hammer

£950

RARE UNDERPAID CARTIER 10d BLUE COVER EX TORONTO WITH "MORE to PAY" MARK, ETC.; Attractive 15 May 1859 env. (some edge wear) from Toronto (fair cds on front) to Edinburgh with a single 1855 Cartier 10d Blue franking (outer frame touched/into at top left/right only, otherwise 4m; huge at foot); the stamp is blessedly lightly tied by a Toronto barred diamond (which also ties the stamp by clear indentation). The letter was above the half ounce limit and so was underpaid by 8d and so it was marked "11[d]" in Toronto (8d deficient postage + 3d half fine to be claimed from GB); on arrival in GB v. fine 30 May "LIVERPOOL/BR. PACKET" cds on reverse) the full "1/2" postage due charge was applied (8d deficient + 6d fine) of which the British PO kept 3d. A spectacular usage; only one other underpaid 1855 Cartier 10d cover has been recorded. Exhibition Item. [Brandon cert. (1978)] [Illustrated in FTM; p.57.] Cross Reference: TRANSATLANTIC MAIL, POSTAGE DUE STAMPS & COVERS, LANCASHIRE - LIVERPOOL, CANADA