1853 (Sep. 30) San Francisco, Cal. to Bordeaux, France, part printed circular endorsed "Per 'Panama' via New York", with black "San Francisco Cal. Oct 1" cds and matching "Paid" and "52" rating handstamps for double the British open mail rate by American packet, "New-York Am. Pkt. Oct 29" exchange cds, red crayon "52", reverse with red London (11.10) transit and Bordeaux (11.12), manuscript "24" décimes due rating, Very Fine, one of only two recorded examples of the San Francisco "52" rate marking. Estimate  $500 - 750. Letter carried by steamer "Panama" to Panama and steamer "Ohio" from Aspinwall to New York. Carried by Collins "Atlantic" from New York Oct. 29th to Liverpool arriving Nov. 9th. $0 (Image)