1844 (Sep. 17) Rotterdam, Netherlands to Philadephia, Pa., folded letter with blue Rotterdam (9.17) d.s. with "120" Dutch Cents prepaid rating on reverse, red manuscript "1/8" 1s8d credit to G.B., red London ship letter (9.18) crown d.s., carried by Cunard Line Caledonia from Liverpool Sep. 19 to Boston arriving Oct. 3, Philadelphia red "20¾" due h.s. for 18¾¢ inland postage plus 2¢ ship fee, Very Fine. Estimate  $200 - 300. Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1843 permitted private ships to carry mails between the two countries when Government contract vessels not available. London ship letter datestamp indicates a private vessel carried letter to London. British credit included 1 shilling transatlantic packet fee and 8 pence British transit charges between the two countries. Letter not rated at steamship arrival port of Boston, but at Philadelphia where scarce 20¾¢ handstamp struck in red. Of 10 examples recorded only two are in red and the remainder in blue ink. $0 (Image)