1853 (Jul. 16) San Francisco Cal. to Dordogne, France, folded letter with "San Francisco Cal. Jul 16" cds and matching "Paid 26" crude rating handstamp for British open mail by American Packet, red "New-York Am. Packet Aug 13" exchange cds, red Le Havre (8.27) entry cds with "16" decimes postage due handstamp, Vergt (8.27) arrival backstamp; edge tear at left, Very Fine, ex-Noel, Walske. Estimate  $400 - 600. One of only four recorded examples of this crude "Paid 26" rate handstamp, used only from Jun. 30th to Jul. 16th 1853. Carried by PMSC "John L. Stephens" from San Francisco Jul. 16th to Panama arriving Jul. 29th, then by USMSC "Illinois" from Aspinwall Aug. 1st to New York arriving Aug. 1st. Then by Ocean Line "Washington "from New York Aug. 13th to Southampton arriving Aug. 26th. $0 (Image)