1860 (Jun. 11) Charleston S.C. to Nantes, France, blue folded letter bearing 24¢ gray lilac (37), straddle-pane margin at right, tied by "Charleston S.C. Jul 11" cds, red "New York 'Paid 3' Jun 14" credit exchange cds ("Jun" used in error), carried on North Atlantic S.S. Co. Adriatic from New York Jul. 14th to Havre arriving Jul. 24th, blue Havre (7.24) arrival datestamp that is an unusual color for this marking, Le Havre a Paris (7.24) and Nantes (7.25) arrival backstamps, Very Fine; with 1999 P.F. certificate. Estimate  $750 - 1,000. A RARE PREPAID EXAMPLE CARRIED ON THE 3RD OF ONLY 7 VOYAGES OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC STEAMSHIP COMPANY. Formed in 1859 for the New York to San Francisco route the North Atlantic Steamship Company purchased three of the steamships of the defunct Collins Line. Unable to gain the San Francisco contract, they used the best of the vessels, the "Adriatic" to run the Atlantic to Havre via Southampton.The Post Office agreed to contract the company for the value of the sea and inland revenue of mails carried. The line however only operated six round trip contract voyages in 1860 and ceased at the outbreak of the Civil War after one further eastbound voyage. $0 (Image)