1853 (Jan. 2) Otterndorf, Hannover to Watertown, Wisc., folded letter with blue "Otterndorf, 7 Jane" boxed d.s. and sent unpaid, Bremen (1.11) backstamp and manuscript "5" grote debit to U.S., carried by Collins Line Atlantic from Liverpool Jan. 26 to New York arriving Feb. 7, couple light stain spots, F.-V.F., one of only two recorded examples of the New York "25" debit exchange marking. Estimate  $200 - 300. Letter carried in Bremen Closed Mails through England. Although U.S. rate tables showed transit postage from Bremen to Hannover was 6¢, Bremen marked this letter for a 5¢ debit for this transit postage. New York simply added the 20¢ American steamship rate to come up with the postage due of 25¢, a very uncommon transatlantic rate under this Bremen convention. $0 (Image)