A European's Large-Gold Collection of 1869 Pictorial Issues continued...

VERY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING PHANTOM RATE USAGE TO FRANCE WITH A COLORFUL 1869 PICTORIAL FRANKING.

The "48/3" credit and all markings on this cover correspond to the so-called Phantom Rate that provided for prepayment to France via England during the period when the postal treaty between the United States and France lapsed without a new agreement. The rate was never announced and was listed in the international rate tables under Algeria, which was considered a part of France. It was based on the 4c U.S.-British Open Mail and the 8c (4 pence) British-French rates. However, the U.S.-British rate was based on -1/2 ounce (or 15 grams) weight increments, while the British-French rate was based on -1/4 ounce (or 7.5 grams) increments. Because Great Britain was entitled to receive prepayment of the full postage incurred in transmitting the letter to France, it received an 8c credit for every -1/4 ounce (7.5 grams). On the other hand, the United States collected its 4c postage for the first -1/2 ounce (15 grams) and an additional rate for each -1/2 ounce thereafter. Thus, the basic single rate for a letter weighing not more than a -1/4 ounce was 12c (4c U.S. and 8c British). For letters weighing between -1/4 and -1/2 ounce, the rate increased to 20c (4c U.S. and 16c British). Between -1/2 and -3/4 ounce, the rate was 32c (8c U.S. and 24c British). Between -3/4 and 1 ounce, the rate was 40c (8c and 32c British). Between 1 and 1-1/4 ounces, the rate was 52c (12c U.S. and 40c British). And, as reflected in the credit on this cover, if the letter weighed between 1-1/4 and 1-1/2 ounces, the rate was 60c (12c U.S. and 48c British). The red crayon "48" indicates Great Britain's share of the postage, and the "3" is the U.S. indication that three rates were required (one for each -1/2 ounce increment).

Obviously, the letter was underpaid 15c, because the correct Phantom Rate postage for a 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 ounce letter was 60c, and the franking only adds up to 45c. True to its name, the Phantom Rate was generally unknown to the public. It is believed that not a single correctly-prepaid 12c Phantom Rate cover has been located (they are usually 15c frankings). The sender of this cover probably knew that its weight required three rates, and the 45c franking was intended to prepay three of the old 15c treaty rates. At the New York exchange office, the letter was sent via England and a proper credit of 48c (6 x 8c per -1/4 ounce) was given to the British post office. There is no evidence of a missing stamp, so one can only speculate why the New York exchange office would feel so charitable. Perhaps this cover was part of a larger group from the same addressee, including overpayments and underpayments, and the exchange clerk simply looked at the whole group and determined that enough total postage had been prepaid.

A fascinating cover from one of the most challenging periods of United States postal history (challenging both to the public and postal employees at the time and to students and collectors today). (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. A COLORFUL AND EXTREMELY RARE COMBINATION FRANKING TO SWITZERLAND.

From April 1868 thru April 30, 1870, the rate to Switzerland via British Closed Mail was 15c. Effective May 1, 1870, the rate was lowered to 10c. There was also a 20c rate via NGU Closed Mail that ended two years earlier in April 1868. The sender affixed 20c postage on this cover, either for the old NGU rate or for a double-rate letter at the new 10c British Closed Mail rate before the rate reduction took effect eleven days later. The deficiency as a double-rate letter was detected at the New York exchange office, and the blue "50" marking next to the 2c stamp indicates the 50 centimes underpayment (U.S. 10 cents). A 20 centimes penalty was added to the deficiency and rated 70 centimes due in Switzerland. Although 41 15c covers to Switzerland are recorded in the 1869 PRA census (this cover is not listed), only this cover has additional stamps for 20c prepayment. (Image)