Cunard Line Retaliatory Rate Period, Steamship "Canada" Westbound Maiden Voyage. New York - Liverpool 25th November - 14th December 1848, Wrapper addressed to Boston Prepaid 1 Shilling packet rate using 6 x 2d Blue Plate 3 adhesives. On arrival at New York that offices "NEW YORK / SHIP / DEC 14 / 29 cts" was applied charging recipient 24 cents packet rate plus 5 cents inland ignoring the British prepayment. Atlantic transit of 16 days, Very Fine, a spectacular franking. Estimate  $1,500 - 2,000. During the Retaliatory Rate period the New York Foreign Mail Office treated incoming prepaid mail as Ship Letters. The packet rate of 24 cents was charged plus the appropriate inland rate with the New York Ship Letter arrival stamp applied. This policy was applied to letters originating in Britain and to European mails which transitted Britain. $0 (Image)