UNITED STATES STAMPED COVERS

RARE 1864 US #38 ON NATCHITOCHES, LOUISIANA
TO GAP, FRANCE DOUBLE WEIGHT TRANS-ATLANTIC COVER
COVERED BY OUR 5 YEAR PHILATELIC GUARANTEE OF AUTHENTICITY

1864 30¢ Orange on Natchitoches, Louisiana to Gap, France Double Weight Cover.
An Incredibly rare Origin and Destination Cover with a Classic US Stamp
2006 Scott US Specialized Catalogue values this stamp on cover to France @ $1350

Front: Bright, crisp #38 30¢ Orange Classic US Stamp with three large margins, close at top. On Fabulous Trans-Atlantic Cover from the backwoods of Louisiana to a small Town in the Alps of Southwestern France. Excellent Markings from a rare Origin and Destination Cover. Black circle  Grid obliterator on stamp. Natchitoches black CDS, Red New York British Packet Transit Mark, Brownish Calais Exchange Office mark and Brownish Red boxed "PD" (Payée Destination) paid to destination mark.
Reverse: Black Paris inbound Transit Mark, Black Outbound Gare de Lyon (Railroad Station) transit mark for the southbound train to Lyon. Black receiving CDS for Gap, France. Extensive penciled notation explaining US-French Convention Double Rate Cover. 6¢ for double US domestic rate + 12¢ for doubled Atlantic Packet Rate + 12¢ for doubled French Domestic Delivery. Small hinge remnants.
Notes: As scarce a very fine #38 on cover as you are likely to find. A beautiful double rate trans-Atlantic cover from a small town in Louisiana to a small town in the Alps of France. The City of Natchitoches is the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase. Natchitoches was established in 1714 by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis. The French originally founded Natchitoches as an outpost on the Red River to trade with the Spanish in Mexico. It is believed the French first arrived in the area around 1699. Successful trading with area Indians prompted leaders to establish a trading post at the head of navigation on the Red River. The site was established near a village of Natchitoches Indians. Its population today is still only 18,000. Gap is the capital of the Hautes-Alpes department and the largest town in the southern Alps, although today its population is still only 35,000. The extremely mountainous terrain explains the sparse population. It was first inhabited by the Romans in 14AD who recognized the importance of its strategic position linking Turin with the Rhone valley. Gap was already populated when the Romans penetrated into the region. Almost every trace of the Roman settlement of Vapincum disappeared during the succeeding centuries, especially as the place lay on the crossing of important north-south and east-west routes and was always much sought after and consequently fought over. In the 558 the Lombards sacked the town; in 1650 plague removed two-thirds of the population, and in 1692 Savoy troops burned down almost all the houses. In March 1815 Napoleon arrived on his way back from Elba and passed through Gap on his march to Paris.
Condition: Cover is very fine and stamp very fine for issue with a slight short blind perf at upper right corner.
Contents: Envelope only, no contents.

Reverse of Cover

Paris Inbound Exchange Mark

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OUR 5 YEAR PHILATELIC GUARANTEE OF AUTHENTICITY

As a Life Member of the American Philatelic Society and in association with the American Philatelic Society's new guidelines on expertization, Berryhill & Sturgeon, Ltd. will guarantee the authenticity of this philatelic item to the purchaser of record for a period of five years from the date of sale. You will receive a full color receipt with our written guarantee of authenticity - signed and sealed. Please note that our five year Guarantee of Authenticity does not apply to condition issues such as centering, cancels, gum, paper or other aspects of the item. It is the buyer's responsibility to promptly examine the material upon receipt for any vices, defects or other dissatisfactions and return it within our seven day examination and "return-for-any-reason" period. However, if at any time during the five year period you receive an opinion from the American Philatelic Expertizing Service that this item is not authentic, please return the item in its original condition along with the written guarantee and contrary opinion and we will refund you the original purchase price and the cost of the opinion.