Lot
1362 
1851 (Jul. 31) San Francisco, Cal. to London, England, folded letter with red "San Francisco Cal. 1 Aug" cds and matching "Paid" and "25" rating handstamps, carried by Cunard Line Asia from New York Sep. 10th to Liverpool arriving Sep. 21st, New York red "19" credit to G.B., red London (9.22) arrival cds, light soiling, Fine, ex-Winter. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS 25¢ ERROR RATE.
Letter carried by Pacific Mail Steamship Co. "Oregon" from San Francisco to Panama City and by U.S. Mail Steamship Co. "Georgia" from Chagres to New York. When new U.S. rates went into effect on 1 July 1851, the San Francisco postmaster incorrectly assumed the new west coast rate to the U.K. was 25¢ (6¢ cross country plus 19¢ transatlantic fees) instead of the actual rate of 29¢. He used a "25" handstamp which existed at San Francisco. The 25¢ rate was in effect only two months before word reached him that he was rating the letters incorrectly.
Realized: $1,800