Lot
4145 
Australian States: Victoria, 1858 (Jun. 15) Melbourne, Victoria to Boston Mass., blue cover bearing Victoria 1d yellow green (Sc 37), 4d rose (Sc 39) and 1s blue (Sc 18), all tied by numeral "1" barred circles, slightly indistinct red "Melbourne, Victoria, JU 15, 1858" rimless oval backstamp, carried by E&ARM Australasian from Melbourne, red London Paid (8.9) transit cds, manuscript "8" pence and corresponding "16" cent debit to U.S., carried by Vanderbilt Line Ariel from Southampton Aug. 11th to New York arriving Aug. 26th, partial "N.York Am. Pkt. Aug 26" exchange cds with integral "5" cent due not showing; file hole bottom left, file fold through 1d, otherwise Very Fine and scarce three-color franking for 17d rate. Estimate $500 - 750.
From January 1857, Australian Colonies mail had to be prepaid. Mail to eastern United States could only be paid to the United States border. French charge for via Marseilles mail dropped to 3d per quarter ounce.
This cover was prepaid for the 17 pence for ¼ ounce rate to United States border (9 pence to London plus 8 pence transatlantic).
Realized: $2,000