Lot
1516 
1838 (Jun. 25) New York N.Y. to Sheffield, England, datelined folded letter with prepaid manuscript "50" cent for double the 25¢ steamship freight money fee, carried by Great Western on 2nd return from New York Jun. 25th to Bristol arriving Jul. 8th, partial "Bristol/Ship Letter" framed handstamp with manuscript "1/6" due rating for 8d ship fee plus 10d inland, re-rated "3/-" for three schillings due, Very Fine, ex-J. Pullin. Estimate $500 - 750.
THIS IS THE EARLIEST RECORDED EXAMPLE OF FREIGHT MONEY FEE COLLECTION FOR ANY STEAMSHIP VOYAGE.
June 25, 1838 New York Commercial Advertiser contained an advertisement "Letters received on board will be charged 25¢ per single letter, large letter and parcels in proportion". This was the birth of the Freight Money charge for service provided by steamships. This fee remained in effect until the first voyage of an American owned steamship departing New York June 1, 1847. We offered another example from Dick Winter's collection from this "Great Western" voyage showing freight money prepayment (Sale 50, lot 81).
Letter taken to ship agent's office and paid the 25¢ freight money fee. It is very uncommon to find the freight money fee marked on any letters from New York with only a few examples known and those from the start of the freight money period.
Realized: $350