Auction 333-341 Nigeria, Cameroon, Sudan & Worldwide Postal History - Day 4

1865 (Dec 1): 1 d. pale blue, no wmk., perf. 14, a horizontal strip of four used on USA 3 c. pink postal stationery envelope from Belize to Natchez, Mississippi, USA endorsed "via New Orleans", tied by four strikes of the "A06" obliterator of Belize and by framed "STEAMSHIP" and New Orleans transit cds (Jan 17) all in black, circular "DUE 7" handstamp in black showing that the USA 3 c. envelope was taken into account as part payment of the US Steamship charge of 10 cents (see the Simon Richards collection, lot 26 for comparison). Reverse with oval framed "JAS M. PUTNAM / GENERAL COMMISSION MERCHANT" cachet in blue and BELIZE despatch cds (Jan 12). Sensibly cleaned at base of envelope, an astonishing and extremely rare first issue cover.
Provenance: Collection Maurice Burrus, Robson Lowe, London, 26 Nov 1963, lot 174.

Note: Jas. M. Putnam was a Confederate who emigrated top British Honduras at the end of the Civil War. Initially forming a "General Receiving, Forwarding and Commission Merchants" business with one Wm. S. Cary, whom he bought out on 29 September 1866 - ref. the 'Colonist' British Honduras of that date and later running a Dry Goods and Merchandise store. See "Confederate Settlements in British Honduras" by Donald C. Simmons Jnr.