"Great Western" Maiden Return Voyage, New York May 7th - Bristol May 22nd 1838, folded May 7th letter from New York to Cognac, France, endorsed "Steamer Great Western via England", "Bristol Ship-Letter" stepped h.s. and "1/6" 1s6d due rating, London (5.23) backstamp and manuscript "1/6" 1s6d G.B. debit to France, red "Angleterre Par Calais" circular handstamp, Cognac (5.27) arrival backstamp, manuscript"32" (décimes) due rating; Very Fine. Estimate  $3,000 - 4,000. Letter taken to mail bag at ship agent's office, instead of to the post office. Freight money fee was not collected on Great Western's maiden return voyage. Bristol marked 1s6d due (8d incoming ship letter fee plus 10d British inland fee from Bristol to London). London Foreign Office debited French 1s6d as required under the 1836 Anglo-French Convention, manuscript upper right. Paris struck ANGLETERRE/PAR/CALAIS marking to show letter arrived from England entering France at Calais, a very scarce marking on a transatlantic steamship cover. Paris also marked letter for 32 décimes postage due, 18 décimes pay back to G.B. plus 14 décimes French inland postage from Calais to Bordeaux (605 km). $0 (Image)