"Liverpool" Liverpool September 21st - New York October 10th 1839, folded cover from Smyrna, Turkey to Boston, Mass. with "Smyrne (Turquie) 19 Aout 1839" origin double circle date stamp, cover disinfected in Malta, London backstamp and "British/Foreign" framed h.s. with manuscript "1/8" and "3/9" ratings respectively totaled to "5/5" 5s5d on front, carried by Transatlantic S.S. Co. Liverpool from Liverpool Sep. 21 to New York arriving Oct. 10, red "New-York 'Ship' Oct 10" cds and manuscript "37½" double-weight rating to Boston, some paper loss, Fine, Rare non-contract steamship letter showing disinfection. Estimate  $200 - 300. Posted at French post office in Smyrna and carried by French steamer Leonidas to Malta, where it was disinfected. Malta applied mark of purification, then sent letter by French steamer Mentor to Marseilles. London marked on reverse 2x1s10½d = 3s9d "foreign" fee and 2x10d-1s8d "British" fee for postage due of 5s5d for double-rate letter. Forwarding agent Woolley Bell & Co. in Liverpool paid this fee and placed the letter in steamship's letter bag, bypassing the post. $0 (Image)