1857 (Aug. 28) Cedar Rapids, Ia. to Steinheim am Aalbuch, Württemberg, buff cover bearing 1857, 10¢ green, type II, strip of three, right stamp with trimmed perfs, tied by matching strikes of "Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Aug 28" cds, black "New York Br. Pkt. '23' Sep 2" exchange debit cds, carried by Cunard Line Arabia from New York Sep. 2 to Liverpool arriving Sep. 13, Aachen blue manuscript "halbf" and "45" kr. due rating, some cover stains and wear, Fine, an unusual Prussian Closed Mail postage due usage. Scott No. 32  Estimate $200 - 300. The New York exchange office weighed the letter and determined two rates were required. Existing regulations permitted sending the letter if at least one full rate was prepaid, with the remaining postage to be collected at destination. New York credited Prussia 7¢ for the one rate paid and debited Prussia 23¢ for the one rate unpaid. Aachen marked "halbf" in blue ink to indicate that half the rate was paid as an explanation for the additional postage due rate of 45 kreuzer, the remaining unpaid rate. This cover was referenced in Chronicle 181, parcel post. 58-67. $0 (Image)