Salem, North Carolina, 10c black handstamped envelope, "POST OFFICE / O.A. KEEHLN / SALEM. N.C." with "Paid 10" in manuscript, postmarked "Salem / NC / SEP / 27", to W.H. Fries, New Orleans, manuscript notation at left "to be handed over immediately…" and on back flap "get some mercury if you can find it.", traces of edge staining, hinge remnants on back, a choice example of this rare provisional marking, the earliest of only two examples with the manuscript 10c rate recorded by Crown.

Provenance:
Richard Frajola sale, 25 January, 1991, lot 581.