Lot
215 
1857 (Aug. 11) Boston, Mass. to Reims, France, blue folded letter with "Boston Br. Pkt. Aug 12" backstamp and large black "3" cent debit h.s., carried by Cunard Line Europa from Boston Aug. 12 to Liverpool arriving Aug. 23, French (8.24) entry cds with "8" decimes due h.s., some docketing at upper right, F.-V.F. Estimate $150 - 200.
Although the Boston exchange office had a circular datestamp that showed "Boston / 3/ (date)" to indicate a 3¢ debit to France on an unpaid single rate letter in the French mail, it was not used on this letter. Instead, the clerk used this 3¢ credit handstamp in black ink to show the French debit, a very unusual use.
Realized: $450