1815 (Feb. 16) Liverpool, England to New Haven Ct., folded cover with red "Post Paid Withdrawn Ship Letter Liverpool, 16 Fe 16, 1815" double-circle datestamp on reverse and red manuscript "1/6" 1s6d prepaid rating, endorsed "pr. Swedish Brig Sophia - via Amelia Island" at bottom left, entered mails with "New.York May 27" cds and red manuscript "32" cent war ship rating (double the 10¢ inland rate plus 50% surcharge and the 2¢ ship fee); some paper loss from wax seal removal, Very Fine. Estimate  $1,000 - 1,500. A SCARCE LIVERPOOL WITHDRAWN SHIP LETTER USE. The Act of October 10th 1814, made it illegal to place an outbound letter on any ship privately, unless the letter had first been presented to the British Post Office and a fee paid equal to one-third of the combined inland and sea packet postage. Upon payment, the letter received the "Withdrawn Ship Letter" handstamp and the sender was allowed to send the letter by any ship of his choice. In that the Post Office was providing no service at all for this little used and unpopular act, it as terminated on July 11th 1815. $0 (Image)