Lot
3179 
1857 (Oct. 24) St. Helena to Philadelphia Pa., cover with red "St. Helena, OC24 1857" oval backstamp and endorsed "Ship Letter", sent unpaid via British Packet, carried by Ship Sir Edward Paget from St. Helena to London arriving Dec. 18th, London manuscript "3" cent debit in error updated to "28" cents debit to U.S. for 12¢ (6d) uniform rate to London plus 16¢ transatlantic packet, carried by Cunard Line Niagara from Liverpool Dec. 19th to Boston arriving Jan. 3rd, "Philadelphia, Br. Pkt., Jan 4" exchange cds and matching "33" due handstamp including 5¢ inland postage. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
THE ONLY RECORDED LETTER FROM ST. HELENA TO PHILADELPHIA, AND THE ONLY RECORDED USE OF THIS PHILADELPHIA "33" RATING HANDSTAMP.
The Philadelphia Exchange Office
Philadelphia became an exchange office on I January 1854, and was to correspond in closed bags with the exchange offices at Liverpool, London or Southampton. Although mail despatched by the Philadelphia exchange office could originate anywhere, British bags sent to Philadelphia were to comprise only mail to addresses within the Philadelphia city limits.
Realized: $1,700