**British Mail to Europe**
Lot	Sym.	Lot Description
2125		10c Brown (161). Two, deep rich color and proof-like impression, tied by perfect bold strike of red New York Foreign Mail Star cancel (Weiss ST-8 P4), matching "New York Paid Aug. 29 Sup." Type E Supplementary Mail circular datestamp on cover with printed address to Amsterdam, Holland, addressed to the major publishing firm of J. H. Laarman, red "6" credit crossed out and re-rated "5", sender's manuscript "Per Rhein" ship directive crossed out (this North German Lloyd ship sailed on Aug. 26), carried on the Inman Line's City of Chester, departing New York on Aug. 29 and arriving at Queenstown on Sep. 7, red "London Paid" transit datestamp (Sep. 8, 1874) and matching "PD" oval, Amsterdam receiving backstamp (Sep. 9), short sealed edge tear at top left, couple tiny edge nicks at top right VERY FINE. ONE OF FOUR RECORDED COVERS FROM THE UNITED STATES TO THE NETHERLANDS THAT WERE POSTED BY SUPPLEMENTARY MAIL AND SENT BY BRITISH MAIL AT THE 10-CENT "PHANTOM RATE". A similar cover from the Laarman correspondence was illustrated and described in an article by George E. Hargest ("New Light on the Operation of the Dockside Offices", Chronicle, May 1971, pp. 103-105). Hargest states: "In May 1874 the only published rate to the Netherlands was a 10 cent rate by direct closed mail via England. Letters by this route bear no British markings. Although existing U.S.-British conventions provided a 10 cent rate by British mail, regulations did not authorize its use. The markings on this cover, however, indicate that the dockside office sent it in a supplementary British mail, i.e., by an unauthorized route, at an unannounced 'phantom' rate." Each of the four recorded British Mail "Phantom Rate" covers to Holland has two 10c stamps, one of which paid for Supplementary Mail service. All four covers have a "6" credit marking crossed out and re-rated "5", which we cannot explain, since the correct credit to England was 6c. The covers are dated Aug. 13, 1873, May 16, Aug. 29 and Sep. 12, 1874. (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. 2,000-3,000 SOLD for $8,500.00 Will close during Public Auction
2126		6c Dull Pink, 10c Brown (150, 159). Combination of 10c National (well-centered) and 6c Continental printings tied by New York Foreign Mail Star cancel (Weiss ST-8P11) on blue folded cover to Malaga, Spain, Zuricalday & Arguimbau blue sawtooth oval handstamp, red "New York 12 Oct. 18" credit datestamp, red London "Paid" transit datestamp also ties 10c, matching "PD" oval and "2d" credit handstamp, backstamped at Madrid (Nov. 3) and Malaga (Nov. 4), bottom panel of folded cover removed and slightly reduced at bottom (has no effect on appearance), file fold, Very Fine, a colorful cover demonstrating the 16c British Mail rate to Spain (4c retained by U.S. and 12c credited to G.B.), ex Albert (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. 750-1,000 SOLD for $1,200.00 Will close during Public Auction

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