North Atlantic Steamship Company, "Adriatic", New York - Southampton - Havre 2nd - 12th June 1860. Entire dated "Boston June 1. 1860" addressed to Calcutta and transferred at Southampton to a P & O service. Prepaid 42 cents being the January 1857 rate for American Packets via Britain. Exceptional mixed franking of 2 x 1c Scott 20, 2 x 3c Scott 26, 2 x 5c Scott 30A and 2 x 12c Scott 36. Arrived 10th July 1860 at Bombay where the 14 Anna charge for sea post and 1 Rupee inland charge to Calcutta were applied. Arrival at Calcutta on 20th July. Atlantic transit of 10 days. Estimate  $2,000 - 3,000. 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. $0 (Image)