RARE 1864 AN UNLISTED US DEPRECIATED NOTE COVER FROM THE
 URUGUAY CONSULATE IN CARDIFF, WALES WITH
 SHIP BROKER FORWARDER HANDSTAMP

COVERED BY OUR 5 YEAR PHILATELIC GUARANTEE OF AUTHENTICITY

A Rare Unrecorded Depreciated Note Cover from the Uruguay Consulate in Cardiff, Wales
with very nice markings and a scarce Ship Broker Forwarder Handstamp in Blue Gray. This rate is unlisted in the American Stampless Cover Catalog.

The US Depreciated Note period ran from 1863 through 1878. Initially brought on by US Civil War inflation and the scarcity of coins, the American Dollar continued to be devalued in international markets (much like today) for fifteen years. European countries in particular felt that US currency was not adequate to meet the then current international treaty rates for postage. Postage Treaty accounts were to be settled in gold and the depreciation of the US dollar required collecting more than the normal face value of postage in order to meet the international payments.

Cardiff, Wales
 April 8, 1864 Postmark

Manuscript red "39" cents due from recipient

Front: A completely unlisted in the ASCC catalogue New York - British Packet Depreciated Note Cancellation. New York/Brit Packet 24/39 rate black CDS. A Rare Blue-gray handstamp: Uruguay Consulate Cardiff, Wales, Forwarded by S. D. Jenkins/late/Knapp, Jenkins & Co./Ship Broker/Cardiff. Black Cardiff, Wales CDS cancel. "19 cents" black handstamp indicating that 19 of the 24 cents was due to the US who would then reimburse the British Packet for Trans-Atlantic carriage 14¢ retaining 5¢ for US domestic carriage rate. The Red manuscript "39" indicates a confirmation that 39¢ was due from the recipient in US Currency which would then equate to 24¢ in gold.
Reverse: Beautiful embossed flowers on back flap and red London Transit Mark.
Notes: A very scarce cover. An unusual Uruguay Consulate Ship Broker Forwarding mark from Cardiff, Wales to an obscure small town in Maine. Cushing in 2000 census only had 1300 people. We have never seen this handstamp before. Rare origin and destination with unrecorded cancels, a special cover!
Condition: This cover is in Extremely Fine condition with only a slight cancel smudge.
Contents: Envelope only no content.
Historical Note: The Olson House in Cushing, Maine was used in Andrew Wyeth's 1948 painting, Christina's World, which was in turn used for Dahlia Gillespie's house in Silent Hill, and inspired the farmer's house in 'Days of Heaven'. The Olson House is now operated by the Farnsworth Museum of Rockland, Maine.

Offered by Berryhill & Sturgeon, Ltd.

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, cancel, 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.