Sale 3039: The "ERIVAN" Collection of United and Confederate States Postal History Part IV

101, 1869 90c Blue, F Grill, used with 12c F Grill (97) on an envelope addressed to Lima Peru, just tied by black cork killer cancels with the 90c also tied by crisp strike of "Panama MY 22 69" cds (British PO), a magenta "San Francisco May 8 Paid" cds at upper left, red crayon "3" and "72", the 12c trivial prf tip tong, 90c some blunted/ short perfs, letter a horiz file fold, still Very Fine and, in the words of renowned philatelist Jerome Wagshal, "..it is a philatelic gem of the first rank."; George Sloane notation on back "1867 issue 12c and 90c grilled 9x13/ From the collection of Rear Admiral AB Randall" and signed by Sloane; just two covers with the 90c F Grill are recorded, the other being a domestic use (Chronicle 140, pg 264)rnThe basic rate to Peru via Panama in May of 1869 was 34 cents per ½ ounce, making this a triple rate cover. rnIllustrated and discussed in an article by Jerome Wagshal, The Chronicle, 69 (Feb 1971), page 28-29 (mentions Philatelic Foundation certificate #21793 which does not accompany)rnProvenance: Marc Haas (Private Transaction, 1980)United States General Issues