Lot
342 
1854 (Feb. 21) Frankfurt, Germany to Philadelphia Pa., gray folded letter with "FRANKFURT a O / BAHNHOF 21/2" two-line handstamp with manuscript. "2/10" rating top left, red "Aachen" transit and matching "Brit: Packet." half-moon backstamp, blue manuscript. "1¼" indicating double-weight, manuscript "10" cents debit to the U.S. carried by Cunard Line Asia from Liverpool Feb. 25th to Boston arriving Mar. 10th, bold "Boston Br. Pkt., Mar 10" exchange cds and matching "60" cents due handstamp for double the 30¢ Prussian Closed Mail rate, some ink erosion top left, otherwise Very Fine. Estimate $200 - 300.
The exchange office accounting by Prussian Closed Mail for a double-weight letter was 10¢ Prussian inland, 4¢ Belgian transit, 36¢ sea and British transit, and 10¢ U.S. inland. The Cunard Line "Asia" made an unscheduled stop at Halifax en route by order of the British Admiralty to deliver dispatches causing a slightly longer voyage.
Realized: $160