1863 (May 15) Paris, France to New York, N.Y. Blue cover with Paris (5.15) cds with "24" cent debit to U.S., carried by Cunard Line Asia from Queenstown May 17th to Boston arriving May 27th, New York "40" depreciated currency rating handstamp, Very Fine, an early depreciated currency use, ex-Winter.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

During May 1863, New York introduced depreciated currency rate but had not starting using a dual rate cds. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

1868-69 (circa) New York, N.Y. to Paris, France. Newspaper wrapper to the Paris Publisher of the newspaper La Presse Libre, bearing 1¢ pale blue, F. grill (92) horizontal pair, tied by quartered corks, prepaying the 2¢ printed matter rate, French red "15c" centimes due handstamp, Very Fine, ex-Winter.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED 1¢ F. GRILL WRAPPER TO FRANCE.

Since the earliest recorded use of the 1¢ F. grill is late October 1868, this wrapper was probably a late 1868 or early 1869 usage. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1870 (Dec. 28) New York, N.Y. to Billom, France. Cover bearing 10¢ brown (150) tied by partial NYFM grid cancel, red "New York Paid All Br. Transit Dec 28" exchange cds and matching "6" cent credit h.s. to G.B., carried by Guion Line Nevada from New York Dec. 28th to Queenstown arriving Jan. 7th, red London (1.9) transit with "PD" circled handstamp, Calais (1.10) entry and Billom (1.10) arrival backstamp; 10¢ light crease, F.-V.F., a scarce correctly prepaid 10¢ phantom rate use., ex-Winter.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

New York postmaster was aware that letters prepaid 10¢ could be sent fully paid to France in the British open mails. The public was unaware of the rate. This unannounced rate (sometimes referred to as a "phantom" rate) paid the letter to destination in France even though there was no treaty between the U.S. and France. New York credited 6¢ to G.B. and London marked the red circle PD to indicate the letter was properly paid from England to destination in France. This unannounced rate existed from July 1st 1870 to October 28th 1871, at which time the rate was published by the Postmaster General. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400