Los Nr. 349
1855, entire to MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY, franked with France Empire imperforated 10c bistre, 20c blue, 40c orange and 80c carmine all full to large margins, small spot on the top margin of the 40c and light fold through the 80c. Used on QUINTUPLE PRIVATE SHIP LETTER RATE cover , cancelled by ”Petits chiffres” 1495 (Le Havre), alongside cds in red ”BUREAU MARITIME/11. JANV/1855”, framed PP and manuscript ”10” postage due. Handwritten ” Par Guarani”, confirming that this letter was carried by PRIVATE COMMERCIAL VESSEL instead of the usual packets. The rare 30 C.-Rate consisted of 20c inland + 10c for the vessel's proprietor for each weight grade. For a quintuple weight letter the franking was five times 30 C., 1 Franc 50. THIS PROBABLY UNIQUE QUINTIPLE PRIVATE SHIP LETTER RATE TO URUGUAY IS EVEN MORE SPECTACULAR WITH THE FOUR COLOUR FRANKING. Signed Calves.
