Lot
1342 
1849 (Nov. 26) New York to Carduff Kelly, Ireland, folded letter from, red "Forwarded by Abraham Bell & Co. New York" oval, black "5" cent debit to G.B., carried by Cunard Line America from New York Nov. 28th to Liverpool arriving Dec. 12th, handstamped "1/" rating for transatlantic packet fee, red manuscript "Not Found", returned to the United States, "Dead Letter Office, P.O. Dept." circular handstamp with manuscript "May 17, 1851" dating, V, Very Fine and scarce transatlantic dead letter use, ex-Winter. Estimate $600 - 800.
Addressee in Ireland never found, probably because there was no Carduff Kelly. Monaghan postmaster marked letter "Not Known" in red ink and and returned letter to London. Subsequently, letter returned to Dead Letter Office in Washington, D.C. because it contained a valuable (printed check for £7). D.L.O. opened letter, determined originator, and sent back to New York. Seventeen month delay in returning letter probably resulted from large backlog at D.L.O.
Realized: $575