1851 (Sep. 1) San Francisco, Cal. to Bordeaux, France, folded letter with red "San Francisco Cal. 1 Sep" cds and matching "Paid" and "26" rating h.s., carried by Collins Line Baltic from New York Oct. 11 to Liverpool arriving Oct. 22, London (10.23) backstamp, Paris (10.24) entry cds with black "8" decimes due h.s., Bordeaux arrival backstamp; Very Fine, This is the earliest example of the "26" rate handstamp used at San Francisco, the first voyage from San Francisco when the error rates were corrected. Estimate  $400 - 600. Letter carried from San Francisco by Pacific Mail Steamship Co. steamer "Tennessee" to Panama City and U.S. Mail Steamship Co. steamer "Ohio" from Chagres to New York. Although the rate was in effect from July 1, 1851, San Francisco used an error rate for letters to France of 22¢ until this voyage, when the correct rate was used. From September 1, 1851, France reduced the postage due on letters carried to G.B. by American packet from 15 decimes to 8 decimes, thereby eliminating double sea postage. $0 (Image)