1852 (Nov. 8) Paris, France to Philadelphia, Pa., folded letter bearing France 1849-50, 1fr. and 10c. pair, margins to cutting, Paris (11.8) origin cds and framed "PP" h.s., Havre (11.9) backstamp, carried by Ocean Line Hermann from Southampton Nov. 10 to New York arriving Nov. 23, "New York '21' Nov 23" exchange debit cds; hor. fold slightly affects 10c., F.-V.F., This is the Earliest Special Ship Letter Rate Recorded under the 1851 Special Provision. Estimate  $200 - 300. Effective October 2, 1851, a special provision allowed outgoing ship letter rates to be used on letters to the U.S. sent via Southampton for the Ocean Line steamships. These steamers stopped in the Solent between Southampton and Cowes, Isle of Wight, enroute to and from Bremerhaven, to put off mails for G.B. and France. This rate prepaid all French fees, leaving the U.S. postage due. Very few covers showing these rates are recorded even though the rates were in use for six years. $0 (Image)