BERMUDA postal history 1883 cover p. S.S. "Orinoco" to Troy, Ohio with QV ½d stone, pair QV 1d rose-red (SG.19,23) tied HAMILTON K3 "1" duplex dated A/DE 6 83 during the first blue ink period March 1882 to January 1884. This is a very rare combination as the few covers known in this band of use are normally made up with QV ½d, 2d franking. The OC 1 1876 USA-Bermuda postal convention set a 2d rate effective OC 3 1876 between the two countries but allowed Bermuda to charge 2½d per half ounce. Bermuda had no ½d adhesive until the ½d stone was issued MR 25 1880 and accepted the loss during the interim years. £375