Description
1931 United Fruit Co. Envelope to Boston, franked by Cuba 5c Air Mail for rate to the United States, tied by Havana machine cancellation which also ties horizontal pair of Washington 2c booklet stamps which was part of a combination franking (with 1c Franklin booklet stamp) to prepay the Air Fee of 5c per ounce within the United States. The U.S. portion of franking additionally tied by oval Miami Florida cancel and the cover marked clearly “VIA AIR MAIL”. This cover was carried under the scheme whereby mails from overseas, instead of being carried by slower surface transport, could be accelerated by Air within the United States provided that the current Air Fee was pre-paid in United States stamps. The necessary stamps were made available in various countries by special arrangement to allow the scheme to operate and it is specifically mentioned in the Post Office Guide of at least one participating country, Australia. An uncommon cover.