Lot
3142 
1849 (Dec. 3) Philadelphia, Pa. to Liverpool, England, folded letter with blue "Philada. Pa. Dec 3" cds and matching crude "24" rating handstamp, Boston black "5" debit rating, carried by Cunard Line Caledonia from Boston Dec. 5th to Liverpool arriving Dec. 18th, Liverpool (12.18) backstamp and "1" shilling due handstamp, fresh and Very Fine, Carried on the last Trans-Atlantic mail voyage of the Cunard Line Caledonia. Estimate $200 - 300.
Philadelphia did not have a die-cast handstamp for the 24¢ rate before August 1851. This is the earliest recorded use of this Philadelphia crude "24" rating handstamp. .