Lot
507 
1844 (Aug. 9) Naples, Sicily to Philadelphia, Pa. via London, folded letter entered mails with Marseilles (8.14) entry cds, red London (8.20) datestamp with manuscript "1/3" paid by agent and reposted to Philadelphia with red manuscript "1/-" shilling packet fee prepaid, carried by Cunard Line Britannia from Liverpool Sep. 4 to Boston arriving Sep. 17, Philadelphia "20¾" (the "/4" is red crayon), Very Fine, scarce example of the red Philadelphia 20¾ rate handstamp. Estimate $200 - 300.
Letter carried by ship to Marseille, where it entered French mail system. At London, forwarding agent Heath, Furse & Co. (handstamp on reverse) paid 1s3d for ¼-½ oz letter, crossed thru their name in the address, and paid 1s packet postage to U.S. Letter rated at Philadelphia and not at arrival port of Boston. Postage due consisted of 2¢ ship fee plus 18¾¢ U.S. inland fee from Boston to Philadelphia. Italicized version of Philadelphia rate stamp in red quite scarce since color shifted to blue soon after its was introduced.
Realized: $1,000