1857 (Jan. 11) New Orleans La. to Bordeaux, France, datelined folded letter bearing 1¢ blue (9) horizontal pair, deep rich color, and 3¢ dull red (11), tied by "New Orleans La. Jan 11" cds, red "New-York Br. Pkt. Jan 27" exchange cds, carried by Cunard Line America from Boston Jan. 29th to Liverpool arriving Feb. 11th, red London (2.12) transit backstamp, "GB / 1f60c" bulk accountancy handstamp, Calais entry cds with "8" decimes due rating handstamp, Bordeaux (2.14) arrival backstamp, Very Fine, Prepaid 5¢ for the British Open Mail rate to France during the three months period. Estimate  $300 - 400. On January 1, 1857, a new postal treaty between Great Britain and France went into effect reducing the French due charges on mail transiting through Britain. On April 1, 1857, a new treaty between the United States and France went into effect standardizing rates between the two countries at 15¢ per ¼ ounce. The period between these two rate changes is referred to as the "Three Months Period". Only sixteen British and seven American packets carrying mail for France and beyond departed during this period. $0 (Image)