Lot
3035 
1785 (Dec. 3) Liverpool, England to Philadelphia Pa., datelined folded letter with London "7/DE" bishop mark backstamp and red "POST/PAID" in circle handstamp with prepaid "1/6" 1sh6d rating for 6d inland plus 1sh packet, "204 LIVER/POOL" postmark for 204 miles Liverpool-London, carried by Packet Shelburn from Falmouth Dec. 16th to New York Feb. 4th, New York manuscript "2" dwt inland postage due, Very Fine. Estimate $300 - 400.
After the American Revolution, British authorities asked Benjamin Franklin to reinstate the New York packets under the old terms, including that no U.S. ship fees were to be charged on incoming packet letters. Anxious to restart commercial relations, the American government agreed.
Realized: $230