Lot
258 
1863 (May 4) Messina, Italy to New York, N.Y., folded letter sent privately to London where blue oval "Heath & Co. / London" forwarder backstamp was applied and posted unpaid, carried by Cunard Line China from Queenstown May 10th to New York arriving May 22nd, "London MY 9 '63" datestamp and "19/Cents" debit handstamp to U.S., New York "34" depreciated currency rating handstamp; file folds, F.-V.F., a very early depreciated currency cover., ex-Winter. Estimate $300 - 400.
Letter carried privately to London where forwarding agent, Heath & Co. posted letter unpaid to the U.S. Starting May 1st 1863, exchange office postmasters were authorized to collect on unpaid letters from Great Britain and Ireland, France, Prussia, Hamburg, Bremen or Belgium the postage due in coin or depreciated greenback currency, with a premium calculated daily on the latter. This letter was due either 24¢ in coin or 34¢ in greenback notes.
Realized: $425