Lot
199 
(Retaliatory Rates) 1848 (Dec. 19) New York, N.Y. to Cognac, France, folded letter endorsed per "Canada", carried by Cunard Line Canada from New York Dec. 20 to Liverpool arriving Jan. 3, London (1.5) backstamp, partial red "Colonies/&c.Art. 13" framed h.s., Boulogne (1.6) entry cds with manuscript "19" decimes due rating, Very Fine, This was the maiden return voyage of the new steamship Cunard Line "Canada". Estimate $300 - 400.
Retaliatory fee of 24¢ avoided by taking letter directly to ship letter bag instead of the New York post office. Postage due in Cognac of 19 decimes included 10 decimes pay back to G.B. and 9 decimes French internal fee for a simple letter (< 7½ grams) travelling 585 km from Boulogne to Cognac.