1867 (Dec. 4) Amsterdam, Netherlands to New York, N.Y., folded letter with "N.R. Spoorweg 4/12 1867" cds and "Amsterdam" framed h.s., manuscript "5" Dutch Cents debit to U.K., London (12.6) backstamp with "22/Cents" debit h.s. to U.S., carried by Cunard Line Africa from Queenstown Dec. 8 to Boston arriving Dec. 20, New York "N.Y. Br. Pkt. '27' or '36' U.S. Notes, Dec 21" depreciated currency cds, Very Fine, only example recorded to date of unpaid letter from Netherlands by British packet at this 27¢ rate and only recorded example of the 22¢ debit marking. Estimate  $150 - 200. Letter sent in British open mail by British contract steamship from U.K., the fully paid rate to destination being 27¢ (prepayment optional). This unusual rate to destination, although there was no treaty between the two countries, was available for 18 months only. London debited U.S. 22¢, 16¢ sea postage plus 6¢ Dutch-U.K. transit. $0 (Image)