1841 (Jan. 2) Leith, Scotland to Richmond, Va. Folded letter with red "Leith Jan 2, 1841" cds with red manuscript "1/-" shilling prepaid packet rating, red London (1.2) transit, carried as endorsed by Cunard Line Columbia from Liverpool Jan. 5th to Boston arriving Jan. 21st, red "Boston 'Ship' Jan 21" cds and manuscript "27" due rating for 25¢ inland postage plus 2¢ ship fee, Very Fine, Letter carried on Maiden Voyage of the Cunard Line Columbia., ex-Winter.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

"Columbia" was the last of the original four wooden, side-wheel paddle steamers with which Samuel Cunard start the operations of his line in July 1840. She was 1,175 tons and built at Greenock in 1840. She ran aground and was wrecked at Cape Sable, Nova Scotia on July 2nd 1843 without loss of life. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1847 (Jun. 1) New York, N.Y. to London, England. Folded letter with red "New York Jun 1" cds with matching arced "Paid" handstamp, endorsed "per Washington", carried by Ocean Line Washington from New York Jun. 1st to Southampton arriving Jun. 15th, red "London 16 JU 1847" arrival backstamp and manuscript "1/" shilling discriminatory due rating, Very Fine, ex-Winter.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

A RARE LETTER CARRIED ON THE INAUGURAL VOYAGE OF AMERICAN TRANSATLANTIC PACKET SERVICE.

The commencement of the American Packet service led to Britain imposing a "Discriminatory Rate" on mails landed at Southampton with all US prepayment ignored and the One Shilling Packet Rate charged to the addressee. There are four recorded examples to Great Britain, each showing the discriminatory fee. There are also three recorded covers on this voyage to France and Germany. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

1848 (Apr. 21) Bertlesdorf, Holland to Bethlehem, Pa. Blue folded letter with "W. Mallalieu & Co., London, Apr. 26, 1848" forwarder's handstamp on reverse and bearing two G.B. 1s green, embossed (5) singles, cancelled by sharp "11" oval grids, London (4.26) backstamp, Liverpool (4.27) transit, carried by Cunard Line Cambria from Liverpool Apr. 29th to New York arriving May 14th, New York large red "12" cent due rating handstamp ties left stamp, Very Fine and choice.
Estimate; $600 - 800.

The Anglo-American postal conventions provided a reliable mail route to America. This cover was handled by London forwarder W. Mallalieu & Co. who posted at double the 1s transatlantic packet fee prepaid with G.B. 1s green embossed issue. New York rated 12¢ due for double the 5¢ letter rate under 500 miles plus 2¢ ship fee. Est. $600-800 (Image)

Est. $600-800

1851 (Mar. 14) Glasgow, Scotland to San Francisco, Cal. mourning cover with red "Glasgow Paid Mar 14 1851" datestamp and red manuscript "2/9" prepaid packet rating for West Indies rate to Cal., endorsed "Per West India Steam Packet", London (3.17) and Liverpool (3.17) backstamps, carried by RMSP Severn from Southampton Mar. 17th to Chagres arriving Apr. 15th, San Francisco red "Paid" handstamp, F.-V.F., ex-Winter.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

ONE OF FIVE RECORDED COVERS BY THE WEST INDIES ROUTE WITH THIS RATE.

Commencing October 1850, letters to California could be sent fully paid to destination in the British mails via Chagres and Panama. The rate for a ½ oz. letter was 2s9d (66¢), a very high rate. Since the rate was reduced in July 1851, eight months later, very few letters were actually sent at this rate. This letter was carried from Panama to San Francisco by Pacific Mail Steamship Co. steamer Tennessee. Letter in closed mail bag from London to San Francisco, where red PAID struck. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

1852 (Nov. 27) New York,N.Y. to Duncaster, Scotland. Money order envelope sent unpaid with black "NEW YORK '21' Nov 27" exchange office debit cds to G.B., carried on the Collins Line Pacific departing New York Nov. 28th to Liverpool arriving Dec. 11th, Liverpool America (12.11) backstamp and matching "1/-" due handstamp for an unpaid packet letter, red Edinburgh (12.12) backstamp and "Try Doncaster" marked, Doncaster (12.13) arrival backstamp and later marked "Not Called for", Doncaster (1.10) backstamp and returned to the U.S., Washington, D.C. "P.O. Department, Dead Letter Office, Apr" oval handstamp with "192 - M, Apr. 7, 1853" dating; minor soiling, otherwise Very Fine and scarce transatlantic Dead Letter Office use.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300