1859 (Jan. 18) London, England to Durango, Mexico via New York, folded letter with red "Lombard Street Paid JA 18 59" d.s. with red manuscript "1/5" 1s5d prepaid rating for all transit fees via U.S., straightline "Viâ United States" h.s., carried by Inman Line Kangaroo from Liverpool Jan. 19 to New York arriving Feb. 7, Mexican large "3" reales due h.s., Very Fine and scarce. Estimate  $300 - 400. In August 1854 the British public was notified that letters could be sent to Mexico by U.S. mail packet from New Orleans at a combined rate of 1s5d (24¢ transatlantic plus 10¢ U.S. packet rate to Mexico). Mails by this route had to be specifically marked "Viâ the United States". Covers showing this routing and rate are quite scarce. $0 (Image)