1851 (Mar. 14) Glasgow, Scotland to San Francisco, Cal., mourning cover with red "Glasgow Paid Mar 14 1851" d.s. and red manuscript "2/9" prepaid packet rating for West Indies rate to Cal., endorsed "Per West India Steam Packet", London (3.17) and Liverpool (3.17) backstamps, carried by RMSP Severn from Southampton Mar. 17 to Chagres arriving Apr. 15, San Francisco red "Paid" h.s., F.-V.F., One of five recorded covers by the West Indies route with this rate. Estimate  $200 - 300. Commencing October 1850, letters to California could be sent fully paid to destination in the British mails via Chagres and Panama. The rate for a ½ oz. letter was 2s9d (66¢), a very high rate. Since the rate was reduced in July 1851, eight months later, very few letters were actually sent at this rate. This letter was carried from Panama to San Francisco by Pacific Mail Steamship Co. steamer Tennessee. Letter in closed mail bag from London to San Francisco, where red PAID struck. One of five covers recorded by this route with this rate. $0 (Image)