1870 (Dec. 28) New York, N.Y. to Billom, France, cover bearing 1870, 10¢ brown, tied by partial NYFM grid cancel, red "New York Paid All Br. Transit Dec 28" exchange cds and matching "6" cent credit h.s. to G.B., carried by Guion Line Nevada from New York Dec. 28 to Queenstown arriving Jan. 7, red London (1.9) transit with "PD" circled h.s., Calais (1.10) entry and Billom (1.10) arrival backstamp, 10¢ light crease, F.-V.F., a scarce correctly prepaid phantom rate use. Scott No. 150  Estimate $300 - 400. New York postmaster was aware that letters prepaid 10¢ could be sent fully paid to France in the British open mails. The public was unaware of the rate. This unannounced rate (sometimes referred to as a "phantom" rate) paid the letter to destination in France even though there was no treaty between the U.S. and France. New York credited 6¢ to G.B. and London marked the red circle PD to indicate the letter was properly paid from England to destination in France. This unannounced rate existed from 1 July 1870 to 28 October 1871, at which time the rate was published by the Postmaster General. $0 (Image)