1850 (Oct. 22, Nov. 18) Arctic Maiden Voyages, two covers: Maiden Voyage Westbound, red "Alexandria Va., 22 Oct" cds with matching "Paid" straightline and manuscript "24" cent rating, New York red "3" credit handstamp, carried by Arctic from New York Oct. 27th to Liverpool arriving Nov. 7th, red Liverpool America (11.7) transit and Glasgow receiving backstamp; Maiden Voyage Eastbound, "London, 18 NO 18, 1850" cds, Liverpool (11.19) transit cds and "3 Cent" debit rating, carried by Arctic from Liverpool Nov. 20th to New York arriving Dec. 4th, black "New York '24' Dec 5" debit exchange cds, minor tape staining, F.-V.F. Estimate  $400 - 600. The New York & Liverpool United States Mail Steamship company (Collins Line) was the first serious challenge to dominance of the Cunard Line. The "Arctic", one of four sister vessels of 2,856 gross tons was built by William H. Brown of New York for Collins. Lost in collision on September 20th 1854 with over 300 lives lost. $0 (Image)