2c Brown (113). Horizontal strip of five, affixed over "Christiansted ? 1871" circular datestamp and tied by crossroads cancels, "St. Thomas 13/5/1871" (May 13) circular datestamp on buff cover from Christiansted, St. Croix to Boston, "N.York Steamship May 20" circular datestamp applied on arrival

VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE USE OF A STRIP OF FIVE OF THE 2-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ON A 10-CENT STEAMSHIP COVER FROM THE WEST INDIES TO BOSTON.

The strip was affixed in St. Thomas during the cover's transit from Christiansted, perhaps due to a shortage of 10c stamps at origin. There is a bit of red manuscript below the strip at right which may indicate that the 10c was paid before the cover left St. Croix. From St. Thomas the cover was carried on the May 13, 1871, sailing of the North America, arriving New York May 20. Research by Stephen Rose indicates this is the only recorded 2c 1869 Pictorial strip of five paying the 10c rate from the West Indies.

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