Lot
612 
1851 (Mar. 15) San Francisco, Cal. to Barnes Common, England, folded letter with red "San Francisco Cal. 15 Mar." cds with matching "Paid" and "59" rating h.s. carried by Cunard Line Africa from New York April 23 to Liverpool arriving May 4, New York red "19" credit to G.B., red Liverpool (5.4) and London (5.5) transits, rare 59¢ California usage to England, less than 12 examples of this ratemarker recorded. Estimate $300 - 400.
Letter carried by Pacific Mail Steamship Co steamer "Northerner" to Panama and by U.S. Mail Steamship Co steamer "Cherokee" from Chagres to New York. Rate from West Coast included 40¢ cross country fee plus 19¢ transatlantic and British fees. San Francisco marked prepayment in pencil first (upper left) and later struck the "59" rate handstamp, a marking which had been introduced in August 1850.