"British Queen" Maiden Return Voyage, New York Aug. 1st - Portsmouth Aug. 15th 1839, folded Aug. 1st cover from New York to London, letter taken directly to ship's letter bag, London (8.16) arrival backstamp with manuscript "1/4" 1s4d due rating for 8d incoming ship fee plus 8d inland postage, Extremely Fine and choice use. Estimate  $500 - 750. The "British Queen" was a vessel of the British & American Steam Navigation Company, which also owned the "Sirius" and the "President". $0 (Image)

"British Queen" Maiden Return Voyage, New York Aug. 1st - Portsmouth Aug. 15th 1839, folded Aug. 1st cover from New York to Paris, France endorsed "Per 'British Queen' ", letter taken directly to ship's letter bag, "Portsmouth Ship Letter" stepped h.s. with manuscript "2/8" due 2s8d rating, London (8.16) backstamps, red Calais (8.18) transit, various manuscript ratings, Very Fine, Scarce cover showing rating on letter from the United States under 1836 Anglo-French Convention. Estimate  $500 - 750. Portsmouth marked 2s8d due in the United Kingdom for double-rate letter. London crossed through this and debited France 2 x 1s6d = 3s under the 1836 postal convention with France. France marked 5 franc 6 decimes postage due for 10 gram letter, 36 decimes to London and 20 decimes internal postage. $0 (Image)