Lot
311 
1848 (Aug. 19) Sonneberg, Germany to New York N.Y., folded letter endorsed "via Ostende & Liverpool Steamer" at top with red "Sonneberg / 19 Augt 1848" two-line postmark with matching "PP" handstamp and ms. "3-6" rating, red ms. "1 1/8" weight notation (18 grams) top left, magenta "fra 27 - 24 - 18 - 106 } 148" kreuzer indicating double and triple rates for Prussian (Turin & Taxis) transit to and from Belgium, British transit and sea passage, Aachen blue ms. "42¼" sbr conversion, oval "P." handstamp, red London "Paid" (8.24) transit cds, Liverpool (8.24) transit, carried by Cunard Line Hibernia from Liverpool Aug. 26th to Boston arriving Sep. 8th, red "Boston Ms., Ship, Sep 8" cds and matching "58" retaliatory double-weight rating handstamp for two-times 24¢ packet plus two-times 5¢ inland postage; horizontal fold, F.-V.F. and rare double-weight retaliatory use from Germany. Estimate $400 - 600.
The articles of the Anglo-Prussian Convention, Oct. 1st 1846, eff. Jan. 1st 1847, specified that on paid letters there was to be marked in the upper right corner the amount (in British currency) due to the receiving exchange office. The Aachen exchange office inscribed "3-6" 3s6d, the equivalent of 106 kreuzer for British transit and sea passage to the U.S. and applied the black oval "P." to indicate the letter was paid.