Following on from some significant successes this year including a spectacular result for an Indian stamp (a 1948 Gandhi overprint which sold for $205,000), David Feldman is offering a Trans-Atlantic Mail Express Online Auction.
Maritime Mail was the first and only possibility until the age of aviation to carry letters from one continent to another. This subject has always fascinated advanced philatelists, and some real treasures are on offer in the short auction next week.
Although there are just 28 lots on offer, one of them is the first franked cover from the USA to France, bearing the famous USA 1847 5c Franklin First Issue - something that is easily worthy of being the centrepiece to a good collection and a strong alternative investment.
 Historic: the first USA cover to France |
Specifically this is the 1847 folded entire to Hennessy & Co in Cognac/France franked by US N°1 with a pen-cancel and tied by two oval paid stamps in blue.
It bears a PHILAa /PA AUG 28 1847 5 Cts despatch circular date stamp and "LE HAVRE 17 SEPT 47 2 PAQ. REG. 2" French entry circular date stamp alongside plus COGNAC 19 SEPT 47 arrival backstamp.
The 5c is barely touched at top but with a brilliant shade. This is an exceptional postal history item with at least four distinctions. It is the earliest recorded of the 71 letters to France bearing a US N°1, the second earliest recorded letter going abroad with a US N°1, the only recorded letter carried by the Herout & Handel line bearing a US N°1 and the only triple rate cover from USA to France from this rate period (taxed 38).
It is expected to sell for €20,000 ($29,100) in the sale which takes place in Geneva, Switzerland on July 11.
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