1856 (Dec. 20) San Francisco, Cal. to Cognac, France, folded letter with red "San Francisco Cal. 'Paid 26' 20 Dec" cds, red "New York Am. Pkt. Jan 17" exchange cds, carried by Collins Line Ericsson from New York Jan. 19 to Liverpool arriving Feb. 1, red London (2.2) backstamp and "GB/40c" bulk debit h.s., Calais (2.2) entry cds with "5" décimes due h.s., Cognac (2.4) arrival backstamp, Very Fine, uncommon American packet cover during the three month period from West Coast. Estimate  $200 - 300. Letter was prepaid 26¢ for British Open Mail rate by American packet from the West Coast. The "GB/40c" accountancy marking (effective January 1, 1857) struck at London to debit France 40 centimes/30 grams bulk letter weight as letter paid only to G.B. $0 (Image)