1853 (Sep. 7) Berlin, Prussia to Washington, D.C., cover with Berlin origin cds, red crayon credit ratings, red "Aachen" circular h.s. with matching framed "Paid 50cts." credit h.s. to U.S., reverse with red "Americ Packet" h.s., carried by Ocean Line Washington from Southampton Sep. 14 to New York arriving Sep. 29, red "N. York Am. Pkt. 'Paid 60' Sep 29" exchange credit cds, manuscript "Due 60" rating not understood, no flap and reduced at top, Very Fine, scarce example of the Aachen "Paid 50 Cts" credit marking. Estimate  $200 - 300. Letter weight of 1 8/10 loth (manuscript upper left) required double rate that was paid in Berlin. Manuscript "Due 60" not understood. Prussian breakdown of prepayment, 4 sgr. German transit and 22 sgr. foreign fees, shown in lower left. Although year date not shown, 1853 was assessed based on steamship arrival date in New York and breaks in outer rim of Aachen marking which had two distinct breaks in the Fall of 1853. $0 (Image)