Heinrich Köhler 385 Auction – Day 1

1847 (March 13), folded letter from Jersey to Cologne, multiple manuscript rate markings totalling “1/10” denoting the combined British, Belgian (via Thurn & Taxis), and Prussian rates plus 4d. Jersey postage, struck with red Jersey double-arc alongside London PAID and “C [Crown] A” transit c.d.s. (15 Mar), scarce oval “P” in red alongside, struck pursuant to the British/French Convention of 1843,  endorsed “per Ostend”, handstamped FRANCO in black, backstamped by commercial mark of the firm of Charles Hartung of St. Heliers, Cologne double-circle c.d.s. (17 Mar), filing fold along top, an unusual cover, and a fine example of this elusive “P” handstamp.
 
Note: This cover is illustrated and discussed in “Les Isles Normandes” of the Channel Islands Specialists' Society (June 2002, Vol. 21, No. 2, pages 20-22).