Lot
451 
Victoria, 1853, Queen Victoria ("Half Length"), Ham printing, 3rd Die State (altered), 3d blue, tied by "1V" fancy oval cancel on blue 1854 folded letter to Boston Mass., matching "Melbourne, Victoria, MA 6, 1854" rimless crown datestamp, carried as endorsed by non-contract clipper ship Neleus from Melbourne Mar. 14th to England, red London (6.13) transit backstamp and manuscript "16" debit to U.S., carried by Cunard Line Europa from Liverpool Jun. 17th to New York arriving Jun. 30th, "Boston Br. Pkt. Jul 2" exchange backstamp and matching "21" due handstamp for 16¢ ship postage plus 5¢ inland postage, Very Fine, ex-Risvold. SG No. 14. Scott No. 3 var. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
The "Neleus" was a steamer (probably steam-assisted sail) that grossed 982 tons burthen. She went out from England with Captain P. Burnett in Oct. 1853 arriving at Melbourne on Christmas Eve. She brought 32 passengers and some merchandise. This letter was carried on her return to London with 131 passengers and 671 bales of wool.
Realized: $2,100