1842 (Jan. 14) New Orleans, La. to London, England, folded bill of lading, carried by Sailing Ship Sidney from New Orleans about Jan. 14 to London arriving about Feb. 23, red London (3.24) arrival backstamp, red "Exempt. Ship Lr." crown h.s. and black "2" pence due h.s., F.-V.F., a very rare London ship letter exemption usage. Estimate  $300 - 400. Letter was a bill of lading that accompanied a shipment of 300 bales of cotton carried on the Sidney. Since 1710, the British allowed letters of merchants and ship owners related to the cargo carried on a vessel to be exempt from the ship letter fees. From 1840, these letters were marked with a handstamp in either red or black ink and charged only the normal prepaid inland fee plus the Master's Gratuity of 2 pence. Because this letter was not going beyond the arrival port only the Master's Gratuity was charged, marked with a black handstamp 2. Known handstamps for exemption were used at London and Liverpool only. This is one of the London markings. All uses of these markings are scarce. $0 (Image)