Lot
1561 
1853 (Dec. 30) Columbia Ill. to Baden, Germany, folded cover with manuscript "Columbia Ills., Dec 30" postmark and matching "Paid 20" rating, red "N. York U.S. Pkt. 'Paid 1' Jan 7" credit exchange cds, carried by Collins Line Pacific from New York Jan. 7th to Liverpool arriving Jan. 18th, red "America/über Bremen" two-line and "Paid to Bremen" handstamps, blue manuscript "2½" debit crossed out and updated to "9" in blue crayon, reverse with Cassel (1.22.54), Frankfurt (1.23) transits and Offenburg (1.25) arrival; cover wear and soiling, Fine and rare special Bremen Closed Mail voyage. Estimate $400 - 600.
Collins Line "Pacific" carried a special closed mail for Bremen on this voyage by order of the Postmaster General. The mail arrived at Bremen on January 21, 1854 via Aachen. The New York 1¢ credit to Bremen cds was used only on mail carried to Bremen under American packet, or in this case, closed mail. Letter was only prepaid for the 20¢ Treaty rate to Bremen and Hannover marked "Paid to Bremen".