Lot 3130
1848 (Dec. 31) Manchester, England to Philadelphia, Pa., folded letter endorsed "pr. 'Cambria' ", posted with red "Manchester DE 31 1847" cds and red manuscript "2/-" shilling prepaid rating, Liverpool (1.1) backstamp, carried by Cunard Line Cambria from Liverpool Jan. 1st to New York arriving Jan. 18th, red "New-York 'Ship 7cts' Jan 19" cds, Very Fine and choice, ex-Winter.Estimate $200 - 300.
CARRIED ON THE FIRST DIRECT MAIL VOYAGE TO NEW YORK BY THE CUNARD LINE.
New York ship-letter postmarks appear on Cunard covers for only six months in 1848 and two months in 1849, prior to 8 March 1849 New York arrival of the first Cunard steamer to sail under the United States - Great Britain postal convention.
In January 1848 Cunard added New York as a second American terminus, after which sailings alternated between Boston and New York. Both west and eastbound sailings called at Halifax for Canadian mails. By April 1848, sailing frequency had increased to weekly. By the winter of 1852-1852 service was year-round.