Lot
557 
Hong Kong, 1850 Canton incoming to New York. Entirely unpaid folded letter with on front black "New York Sep 7" with 42 at top, Winter type 181 (25 May 1850 - 11 July 55), "London Paid 24 Sep 1850", and GB charges of 1/- for transatlantic service, and 4/1 for via Marseille packet service, paid by Baring Brothers London, to whose care letter was initially addressed. GB 1/- charge for up to ½ ounce letter would not have covered 42 cent debit by US, apparently including 10c US inland and 32c transatlantic for ½ - ? ounce letter, so letter was apparently incorrectly weighed by one PO or the other, backstamped with red "London 21 SP 1850" transit cds, and "Hong Kong 11 No 1850" arrival cds, Very Fine, carried by Admiralty mail steamer "Triton" from Marseille to Malta, then onward by P&O packets. "Triton" was seldom used on this route after 1848, performing only seven voyages in 1850-54. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $425