Cunard Line Retaliatory Rate Period, Steamship America. Liverpool October 24th - New York November 8th 1848, Entire dated "Manheim 19 Octbr. 1848" prepaid "5/34" being 39 Kreuzer. Routed via Rotterdam and London as a Ship Letter and put onto the America on the 28th. This represents an unusual routing. On arrival at New York the "New York 34cts / Ship / Nov. 9" was struck. This being 24 cents packet rate plus 10 cents inland to Elk Grove, Wisconsin Territory, slightly refolded at top to conceal slight edge tears, otherwise Very Fine. Estimate  $200 - 300. 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 transited Britain. $0 (Image)