Lot
954 
1852 (May 14) Philadelphia, Pa. To Cognac, France, folded letter with blue "Philadelphia May 14" cds and red "Phila Pa 5Cts." octagon handstamp updated with manuscript "21c", carried by Collins Line Baltic from New York to Liverpool arriving May 26th, Calais (5.27) entry cds with "8" decimes due handstamp for 5 dec. internal plus 3 dec. to GB, Very Fine. Estimate $150 - 200.
Note that the Philadelphia office applied its "5 Cts Paid" handstamp, then manually adjusted the rate to reflect the correct 21¢ prepayment. Known uses of these provisional rate markings span the period between May 1850 and May 1852, this letter being the latest recorded example.
Realized: $280