Lot
3133 
(Restored Rates) 1849 (Jan. 22) Philadelphia, Pa. to Schiedam, Holland, folded letter with blue "Philada. Pa. '5' Jan" integral rate cds and matching "Paid" framed handstamp, carried by Cunard Line America from Boston Jan. 24th to Liverpool arriving Feb. 4th, London (2.5) transit backstamp and manuscript "1/8" 1s8d debit to Holland, red script "Engeland/over Rotterdam" backstamp and manuscript "120" Dutch Cents due rating, Schiedam (2.8) arrival backstamp, fresh and Very Fine, a scarce eastbound restored use to Holland, ex-Winter. Estimate $200 - 300.
Philadelphia erred in collecting only 5¢ as distance to Boston was over 300 miles and required a 10¢ prepayment. Postal clerk may have been thinking of the new British Open Mail rate of 5¢, which had been announced but was not yet effective. Scarce example of restored rate to the Netherlands, a rate in effect for six weeks only from 3 Jan-15 Feb 1849.
Letter carried on 2nd of 3 Cunard mail eastbound voyages to Liverpool during six week period when pre-retaliatory rates were resumed before U.S.-G.B. postal convention became effective.
Realized: $170