5¢ Red Brown (1), large margins to full, tied by black grid cancel, matching "Wilkes Barre Pa. Mar. 29" (1851) circular datestamp on buff envelope to Philadelphia, matching "Registered" straightline handstamp applied at Wilkes Barre and blue small "R" (Recorded) handstamp applied on arrival in Philadelphia, manuscript "25" registration number at lower left

Very Fine; some slight ink erosion in the address.

A rare example of the 5¢ 1847 on a registered cover, and it is especially desirable with the "Registered" handstamp applied at origin. Registered mail was not authorized under postal regulations until 1855. There was, however, an informal registration system. Several covers are known with the blue "R" applied on mail arriving in Philadelphia, as seen on this cover, but this is the only 1847 Issue cover with a "Registered" marking applied at the cover's origin.

Ex Wharton Sinkler, William L. Moody and Harvey Mirsky. Illustrated in the Chronicle 221 (p. 15).

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