1856 (Sep. 4) San Francisco, Ca. to Antwerp, Belgium, folded letter with red "San Francisco Cal. '26Paid' 5 Sep" integral rate cds, red "New York Am. Pkt. Oct 4" exchange cds, London (10.18) backstamp and "U.S. Pkt." h.s. with manuscript "4" pence debit to Belgium, Antwerp (10.19) arrival backstamp, various manuscript ratings, Fine, scarce letter from California to Belgium. Estimate  $200 - 300. The British portion for a ½ ounce letter under 1849 postal convention between the United Kingdom and Belgium was 4 pence. Ostend clerk marked two rates required in Belgium in blue ink, upper left corner (¼-½ ounce letter), and black accounting boxed handstamp, but did not fill in the values. Since 4 decimes was owed to the British and 2 x 2 decimes Belgium internal postage was due, the total postage due was marked in blue ink, 8 decimes. $0 (Image)