Lot 3146
1850 (Apr. 19) Philadelphia Pa. to London, England, folded cover sent unpaid with blue "Philada Pa. Apr 19" cds and matching crude "24" due rate handstamp, New York large "21" credit h.s. to G.B., carried by Ocean Line Hermann from New York Apr. 20th to Southampton arriving May 7th, London (5.8) backstamp and "1/-" shilling due rating, Very Fine, One of only 5 recorded examples of the large New York "21" debit handstamp..Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
Philadelphia struck crude blue "24" handstamp to show letter being sent under 24¢ British treaty rate. New York applied the large black "21" debit marking since Philadelphia was not an exchange office for mails under this treaty. Under terms of the Treaty, the Southampton exchange office could exchange mails only with New York.