(Via Key West) St. Marks Geo. Dcr 15, red cds with manuscript "Ship 27" rating for the 2¢ ship fee plus 25¢ inland postage on folded letter datelined "Key West Decr. 7th 1827" addressed to Boston Mass.; two vertical folds, Very Fine. Estimate  $400 - 600. It was not until 1850 that the first Star Route from Key West was contracted. Until then letters were carried by private ships to both Gulf and Atlantic ports for onward routing. $0 (Image)