1861 (Jul. 16) Cambridge Mass. to Paris, France, forwarded to Freiburg, Saxony. Cover bearing 10¢ green (35) strip of three cancelled by circular grids for double the 15¢ French mail rate (7½-10 grams), matching "Cambridge Ms., Jul 16" double-circle datestamp, red "Boston '24' Jul 16, 1860" credit exchange cds for French packet service, red Calais (7.28) entry cds ties strip and matching framed "P.D." handstamp; forwarded to Freiburg with red "Aus Frankreich, per Aachen, 29/7" exchange backstamp and blue manuscript. "2½" sgr due rating, German (7.30) arrival backstamp; small cover tear and wear, F.-V.F. and interesting forwarded use.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

This cover was prepaid 30¢ under the 1857 US-France Convention at two-times 15¢ per 7½ grams. Forwarded under the 1858 France-Prussia Convention at 2½ sgr. per 10 grams, so letter weighed between 7½ and 10 grams.

Slow mid-19th century communications meant letters to intermediate destinations often arrived after the traveler had departed. Forwarders, banks and hotels sent them on to the next country as if they had originated there. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1874 (Oct. 26) Syracuse, N.Y. to Paris, France, forwarded to Munich, Germany. Cover bearing 3¢ green (158) and 10¢ brown (161) tied by large four-ring targets duplexed with "Syracuse N.Y., Oct 26" cds, blue French (11.9) entry cds and small red "PD" handstamps, Paris (11.9) arrival backstamp, neat "Forwarded by Munroe & Co., Paris" forwarder's oval, remailed with France 40c orange tied by Paris "3" star cancel and Paris (11.9) cds, Munich (11.11) arrival backstamp; 3¢ irregularly separated at left, Very Fine and pretty forwarder use, with 2016 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

Companies specializing in forwarding mail usually had accounts with their clients and often affixed stamps on forwarded mail to take advantage of lower rate for paid letters. Munroe & Co. affixed a 40c French stamp to pay the rate under the 1861 France-Thurn & Taxis Convention. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400