1843 (Apr. 29) New Orleans, La. to Bordeaux, France, folded letter with blue "New Orleans La. May 7" cds and matching "Paid" h.s. with blue pen "25" and "25" ratings for 25¢ steamship freight money fee plus 25¢ inland postage, pencil "50" total paid underneath ratings, carried by Great Western on 29th return from New York May 25 to Liverpool arriving June 8, Liverpool Ship (6.8) and London (6.9) backstamps, red "Colonies/&c.Art. 12" framed h.s., red Boulogne entry cds and manuscript "20" decimes due rating, Bordeaux (6.13) arrival backstamp, Very Fine, This is the earliest recorded use of the Colonies Article 12 marking by any route via U.K. One other example carried on same voyage is known. Estimate  $500 - 750. Letter prepaid 25¢ steamship freight money fee plus 25¢ inland fee to New York, both marked in blue ink in the upper right corner. Underneath in pencil was the total, 50¢, probably written when letter first taken to post office. Paris marked 20 decimes postage due (10 decimes to U.K. plus 10 decimes inland fee for 670 km. from Boulogne to Bordeaux). COLONIES &c ART.12 handstamp applied at London showing British debit to France of 3s4d per 30 grams bulk rate. $0 (Image)