Lot
396 
1870 New York, N.Y. To Chambery, France. Folded letter franked with 1869, 12¢ green tied by cork cancel, matching "New York, 18, Dec 31" cds (double 3¢ U.S. inland + 6¢ sea for up to half ounce) and straight line "Insufficiently Paid" handstamp, manuscript strokes over this cds negating with a red "New York Paid 6, Dec 31" cds also in error and red New York, Jan 1 cds applied next day, "8" decimes due handstamp for unpaid letter up to a quarter ounce., Very Fine, a last day of the U.S. - French Postal Convention usage. Scott No. 117 Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
Sent via North German Lloyd Line - per steamer Rhein, departing New York on January 1st and arriving in Southampton on January 11th. There was an Inman Line sailing on the same date, but according to Hubbard & Winter North Atlantic Mail Sailings 1840-1875 "The Inman Line carried no mails from New York until May 1870 when Irish mails were again carried from New York.".
Realized: $800