Lot
577 
(French Retaliatory Rates) 1853 (Jan. 17) Marseille, France to New York, N.Y., folded letter with "13" décimes prepaid (not shown), carried by Cunard Line Canada from Liverpool Jan. 22nd to Boston arriving Feb. 5th, black "Boston Br. Packet 6 Feb" exchange cds with matching "21" due handstamp for French retaliatory rate; some "Ship" usages, group of Cunard Line sailings, etc., Very Fine and choice, ex-Winter. Estimate $400 - 600.
Only three eastbound and two westbound Cunard steamship voyages were made during the short 16-day French Retaliatory rate period between Jan. 24th and Feb. 10th 1853, when the United States collected 21¢ per ½ ounce on all letters exchanged between the U.S. and France via Great Britain.
Realized: $375