UNDERPAID 20c-RATE (VIA U.S.) COVER WITH 1859 10c BROWN-PURP...

Hammer

£1,100

UNDERPAID 20c-RATE (VIA U.S.) COVER WITH 1859 10c BROWN-PURPLE PAIR & "SHORT PAID [4d]/HALF FINE [3d]" MARK; 21 Jan. 1866 large part E (one side-flap and lower flap removed; small fault at top centre barely detracts) from CORNWALL/C.W" (part cds on front) to Essex (GB) most unusually franked with a Pair of 1859 10c (perfs. cut at right; the 10c usually only seen on mail to the US; very rare on covers to GB) tied by an unclear target numeral. This 20c franking would have been fine for this (above ½oz) cover if it had been to the US, but the rate to GB was 12½c x2, so there is a (Montreal?) "SHORT PAID [4]/HALF FINE [3 = 7d]" mark on the front, and on the Allan Line S.S. 'North American' this was replaced by the PO clerk who applied his h.s. "1/-" mark. However this was wrong and the error was clearly spotted on board the ship and the "1/-" cancelled by a small mute target cancel (a second strike cancels the m/s "7d") and the correct m/s "10d" charge (4d deficient + full 6d fine). [Illustrated in FTM, p.102.] Cross Reference: TRANSATLANTIC MAIL, POSTAGE DUE STAMPS & COVERS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA