Lot
3131 
(Restored Rate Period) 1849 (Jan. 8) Philadelphia, Pa. to Paris, France via G.B., folded letter endorsed "pr Steamer Europa", blue "Philada. Pa. '5' Jan 9" integral-rate cds and matching "Paid" framed handstamp, carried by Cunard Line Europa from New York Jan. 10th to Liverpool arriving Jan. 22nd, red London (1.23) and "Colonies &c Art 13" framed accountancy handstamp, red Boulogne (1.24) entry cds with manuscript "15" décimes due rating; Very Fine., Very Fine and desirable maiden eastbound restored rate usage, ex-Winter. Estimate $300 - 400.
Letter carried on 1st of only 3 Cunard mail eastbound voyages to Liverpool during six week period when pre-retaliatory rates were resumed before U.S.-G.B. postal convention became effective. The eastbound restored rate usages are far scarcer than westbound.
Realized: $300
Lot
3132
(Restored Rate Period) 1849 (Jan. 12) Birmingham, England to Philadelphia Pa., folded letter with green "Birmingham, JA 12 1849" double-arc cds and bold magenta manuscript "2/-" prepaid rating for double the 1s packet rate, Liverpool "L, JA 13, A" oval transit backstamp, carried by Cunard Line Canada from Liverpool Jan. 13th to New York arriving Jan. 29th, New York large red "12" cents due handstamp for double the 5¢ inland rate for under 300 miles plus 2¢ ship fee, Very Fine and attractive. Estimate $200 - 300.
Letter carried on 2nd of only 4 Cunard mail westbound voyages to the United States during the six-week period when pre-retaliatory rates were resumed before U.S.-G.B. postal convention became effective.
After the U.S. British Postal Convention was signed in December 1848, the retaliatory rate was rescinded by the Postmaster General on 3 January 1849. Rates reverted to those in force pre-June 1848, so incoming British packet letters were again treated as unpaid ship letters.
Lot
3133
(Restored Rates) 1849 (Jan. 22) Philadelphia, Pa. to Schiedam, Holland, folded letter with blue "Philada. Pa. '5' Jan" integral rate cds and matching "Paid" framed handstamp, carried by Cunard Line America from Boston Jan. 24th to Liverpool arriving Feb. 4th, London (2.5) transit backstamp and manuscript "1/8" 1s8d debit to Holland, red script "Engeland/over Rotterdam" backstamp and manuscript "120" Dutch Cents due rating, Schiedam (2.8) arrival backstamp, fresh and Very Fine, a scarce eastbound restored use to Holland, ex-Winter. Estimate $200 - 300.
Philadelphia erred in collecting only 5¢ as distance to Boston was over 300 miles and required a 10¢ prepayment. Postal clerk may have been thinking of the new British Open Mail rate of 5¢, which had been announced but was not yet effective. Scarce example of restored rate to the Netherlands, a rate in effect for six weeks only from 3 Jan-15 Feb 1849.
Letter carried on 2nd of 3 Cunard mail eastbound voyages to Liverpool during six week period when pre-retaliatory rates were resumed before U.S.-G.B. postal convention became effective.
Realized: $170
Lot
3134
(Restored Rate Period) 1849 (Feb. 8) Falmouth, England to Philadelphia Pa., folded letter with red "Falmouth, Fe 8 1849" cds and red manuscript "1/-" prepaid rating for 1s packet rate, Liverpool "L, FE 10, A" oval transit backstamp, carried by Cunard Line Europa from Liverpool Feb. 10th to New York arriving Feb. 24th, bright red "New-York, Ship, 7cts, Feb 24" integral-due cds for 5¢ inland plus 2¢ ship fee superimposed over Falmouth cds, Very Fine. Estimate $200 - 300.
Letter carried on the last of only 4 Cunard mail westbound voyages to the United States during the six-week period when pre-retaliatory rates were resumed before U.S.-G.B. postal convention became effective.