1858 (Dec. 7) Vera Cruz, Mexico to Paris, France, folded letter with "Vera Cruz 7 Dec" oval backstamp, entered U.S. mails with partial "New Orleans La." cds and matching clear strike of "Steamship" circular h.s. with red crayon "10" cent due rating, "New-York Br. Pkt. Dec 22" exchange backstamp with "10" cent debit circled h.s. to France, carried by Cunard Line Persia from New York Dec. 22 to Liverpool arriving Jan. 1, French (1.3) entry cds with "10" decimes due h.s., Paris (1.4) arrival backstamp, Very Fine, This is the only recorded example of the New Orleans "Steamship" circular handstamp with red crayon numeral rating. Estimate  $300 - 400. Single rate letter sent in French mail via the United States at the 22¢ rate. Letter carried to New Orleans by mail steamer "Tennessee", a temporary mail steamer owned by Charles Morgan. New Orleans marked 10¢ due for incoming steamship letter. New York debited France 10¢ for U.S. transit from Mexico. Letter marked on ambulant from Calais to Paris for a postage due of 10 instead of 12 decimes in error. Scarce French Treaty mail from Mexico via U.S. $0 (Image)