Lot
1609 
(Restored Rates) 1849 (Jan. 23) New York to Francomont, Belgium, folded letter endorsed "p. America", pencil "5" cent inland postage prepayment at left, carried by Cunard Line America from Boston Jan. 24 to Liverpool arriving Feb. 4, London (2.3) backstamp with manuscript "1/8" 1s8d debit to Belgium, Verviers (2.6) backstamp with blue manuscript "24" decimes due rating; light toning along fold, Fine, only cover recorded to Belgium during the restored rate period, ex-Winter. Estimate $200 - 300.
Letter carried on second of three eastward voyages during the restored rate period. U.K. debit to Belgium included 1s transatlantic packet fee and 8d British share under U.K.-Belgium convention of 1844. Postage consisted of 20 decimes owed to U.K. (1/8d converted) plus 4 decimes internal Belgian postage.
Realized: $160
Lot
1610
(1848 Treaty) 1849 (Feb. 23) Manchester, England to New York N.Y., blue datelined folded letter with red Manchester cds and red ms. "1" shilling packet rating, from the Bell correspondence to New York City, carried by Cunard Line America from Liverpool Feb. 24th 1849 to Boston arriving Mar. 8th, Boston red "Paid" arc handstamp and red ms. "5" cent rating for inland postage, Very Fine and choice. Estimate $300 - 400.
A SCARCE LETTER CARRIED ON THE FIRST WESTBOUND SAILING OF THE CUNARD LINE UNDER THE 1848 TREATY.
Realized: $250
Lot
1611
1849 (Jun. 13) Edinburgh, Scotland to Jackson Ga., datelined folded letter with red "Paid at Edin, Jun 13, 1849" arc datestamp and red manuscript "1/-" shilling prepaid packet rating, blue Liverpool (6.14) backstamp and red "5 / Cents" credit rating handstamp, New York "Paid / Ship" two-line handstamp and red "24" cent rating handstamp for prepayment restatement, Very Fine. Estimate $200 - 300.
The New York exchange office marked the red "Paid / Ship" handstamp. During the first four months of the US-GB treaty, there were no uniform instructions to the exchange offices on how to mark letters. The purpose of this marking is not really understood. It is found used infrequently until February 1859.
Realized: $170
Lot
1612
1849 (Oct. 8) Philadelphia, Pa. to Cognac, France, folded letter with blue "Philada Pa. Oct 8" cds and matching "Paid" handstamp, red "Paid 5" cents rating handstamp for the 5¢ British open mail rate, carried by Cunard Line America from Boston Oct. 10 to Liverpool arriving Oct. 21, London transit backstamp with red "Colonies &cArt. 13" framed handstamp, Calais (10.23) entry cds with black "15" decimes due rating, Very Fine, one of four recorded examples of this provisional Philadelphia "Paid 5" marking, ex-Winter. Estimate $200 - 300.
This cover shows the discovery example of a new Philadelphia rate handstamp. This must be considered a provisional rate marking since it was used for a short time, only eight days, until the "Phila/5/Paid" marking (also a provisional marking) was introduced.
Realized: $500