Lot
3189 
1859 (Jul. 20) Philadelphia, Pa. to Grimstad, Norway, folded letter with red "Phila. Am. Pkt. 'Paid' Jul 22" exchange cds with matching circular "Paid" handstamp with magenta manuscript "33" rating and "French Mail" endorsement for 33¢ treaty rate via French mail, carried by Havre Line Arago from New York July 23rd to Southampton arriving Aug. 4th, London (4.4) transit and red manuscript "1" shilling credit to Prussia per U.K.-Prussian convention, Hamburg (8.8) backstamp with "Franco" straightline and red crayon "6" sgr. credit indicating transit fee prepaid, Very Fine, ex-Winter. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
AN EXCEPTIONAL USE MISROUTED BY PHILADELPHIA TO NORWAY.
Letter placed in the British mail bag at Philadelphia exchange office by mistake and not in French mail bag, so it was put off at Southampton. London sent the letter to Norway via Hamburg in U.K.-Prussian convention, crediting 1 shilling to Prussia. Hamburg showed that 6 sgr. transit fees beyond Hamburg were paid. Unusual transit resulting from postal error at Philadelphia.
Havre Line steamships sailed the New York-Southampton-Havre route on a monthly schedule. British mails were dropped at Southampton. The clerk in Philadelphia may have been misled by the via Southampton endorsement on the letter to Norway.
Realized: $475