Lot
3096 
1840 (May 8) Philadelphia Pa. to Schiedam, Netherlands, folded letter carried as endorsed by "Great Western" from New York May 9th to Bristol arriving May 23rd, red "Bristol Ship Letter" two-line handstamp with manuscript "8" pence ship letter rating, red London (5.25) arrival backstamp with manuscript "2/-" shilling debit to Holland, "Engeland over Rotterdam" two-line and Schiedam (5.29) backstamps, manuscript "120" Dutch Cents due rating, Very Fine. Estimate $150 - 200.
Letter carried privately to New York where unspecified forwarding agent took letter to steamship agent and paid freight money fee. Letter never posted in U.S. mails. Bristol used red BRISTOL/SHIP LETTER handstamp (red 1840-1841 only) and marked 8 pence for the incoming ship letter fee. London debited Holland 2s (8d ship fee plus 1s4d letter fee from London to Holland). In Rotterdam the transit marking in red (shown above) was struck and the postage due was marked, consisting of 120 Dutch Cents to pay back G.B. plus 50 Dutch Cents inland fee for single letter.
Realized: $140