Lot 41578 – 1912 (Mar 6) envelope from Paris to the USA with « TITANIC » handstamp

1912 (Mar 6) envelope from France to the USA with « TITANIC » handstamp, franked with France Semeuse 25c tied by Paris R.P. Depart machine cancel, with « RECEIVED / MAR 19 1912 » and Washington arrival backstamp, a very fine and rare cover with this Titanic handstamp with only 24 covers recorded (see Tom Fortunato’s website http://www.titaniccovers.com, this example being unrecorded).

Note: The « TITANIC » mark is believed to have been applied in transit in Paris, it was then transferred to Cherbourg where it was due to have been taken by the Titanic. Although, due to complications with building the Titanic, the maiden voyage was moved from March 20 to April 10. Word must not have reached the appropriate mail clerks and realising this, the cover was placed on the next available ship.