Lot
645 
1853 (Aug. 11) Binche, Belgium to Nevada City, Cal., folded cover with red "Binche 11 Aout 1853" double circle date stamp and red framed "PD" h.s., red London (8.13) transit, carried by Ocean Line Hermann from Southampton Aug. 17 to New York arriving Sep. 1, some edge faults, Fine, a rare cover sent to California paid to destination in British mail. Estimate $200 - 300.
Letter weighed 18 grams (marked on reverse) requiring 2x 20 centimes = 60 centimes (6 decimes) Belgium fee and 2x 1s5d = 2s10d British transit fees to destination via New York (Belgium circular 46 of August 13, 1851). Total payment was 34 decimes British and 6 decimes Belgium, or 40 decimes marked on reverse. American steamers "Georgia" and "Crescent City" carried letter to Aspinwall and "Oregon" carried it from Panama City to San Francisco.
Realized: $180