Lot
344 
1854 (Jul. 31) Boston Mass. to Cadiz, Spain, blue folded letter with "Boston, Br. Pkt. Aug 2" exchange cds and red "Paid" handstamp with pencil "73" prepaid rating, red crayon "68" cent credit to G.B., carried by Cunard Line Niagara from Boston Aug. 2nd to Liverpool arriving Aug. 13th, red London "Paid" (8.14) transit, then by P&O Line Madrid from Southampton to Spain, Cadiz red "20R" reales due handstamp for inland postage, F.-V.F. and rare 73¢ rate to Spain via Southampton. Estimate $300 - 400.
Beginning Jul. 1st 1849, it became possible to prepay letters to destinations beyond Great Britain under the new U.S.-British convention. With regard to Spanish mails, a 73¢ per ½ oz. "via Southampton" rate was established for prepaid letters. At the same time, a "via France" rate to Spain was established at 41¢ per ¼ oz., or 51¢ per ½ oz. The 73¢ per ½ oz. rate was a combination of 5¢ inland postage, 16¢ packet rate, 52¢ (2s2d) British fee for direct packet service to Spain. This rate is quite rare due to the high fees compared to "via France" mails.
Realized: $220