Heinrich Köhler 383rd Auction – Day 3 Single Lots: German Empire 1872 – 1945 German Reichspost – Shield Issues – The Michael Rehme Collection (part II)

1 groschen carmine with clear horseshoe cancellation "MÜLHAUSEN i. ELSASS 18.JULI.74" (Spalink 26-8) on complete folded cover as R local cover with arrival postmark. According to the handwritten note on the reverse, the addressee was not identified and the letter was returned to the sender. Apart from one short perf, the stamp (postage stamp) and the letter are in perfect condition with slightly patina. From 1 January 1872 to 31 December 1874, a reduced total fee of 1 groschen applied to registered local covers in the imperial territories of Alsace and Lorraine. An exceptionally scarce and postage due use from Alsace-Lorraine, only very few examples are known so far, certificate Krug BPP (2013)
Provenance: 31st Wormans collection (NAPOSTA Stuttgart, 1981)31st Peter Harlos auction (2003)