"British Queen" Maiden Voyage, London July 10th - New York July 28th 1839, folded June 19th letter outer sheet (no side flaps) from Smyrna, Turkey to Boston via Liverpool, Smyrna (6.19) origin cds, Malta disinfected h.s. and two chisel slits for fumigation, red "London Paid Ship Letter 10 JY 1839" crown d.s. with manuscript "5/5" (5s/5d) prepaid rating updated to a "2" shilling ship fee to Boston, red "New York 'Ship' Jul 28" cds and "20¾" rating for the 18¾¢ inland postage plus 2¢ ship fee; Very Fine, a rare non-contract steamship letter showing disinfection. Estimate  $1,000 - 1,500. Letter posted at French post office in Smyrna and carried by French steamer "Eurotas" to Malta, where it was disinfected (two chisel slits for fumigation). Malta applied mark of purification, then sent letter by French steamer Rhamses to Marseille. London marked on reverse 2x1s10½d=3s9d "foreign" fees and 2x10d=1s8d "British" fees for postage due of 5s5d for double rate letter. Forwarding agent Woolley Bell & Co. in Liverpool paid this fee and 2x1s=2s outgoing ship fee to re-direct letter by non-contract steamship. $0 (Image)