Lot
4039 
Australian States: Victoria, 1856 (Apr. 14) "Three Mile Creek, Ovens Diggings", Victoria to Concord N.H., original letter datelined "Three Mile Creek, Ovens Diggings", blue cover bearing Victoria, 6d yellow orange (17), three margins, creases, tied by barred circle cancel, matching "Beechwood, Victoria, AP 14" rimless oval backstamp, Melbourne (4.18) transit backstamp, carried by Clipper Earl of Sefton departing Apr. 26th to England, reverse with "Australian Packet, Liverpool, JY 16, 56" backstamp and "ART-2" straightline, "d5" debit h.s. to Victoria, manuscript "26" cent debit to U.S., carried by Cunard Line Arabia from Liverpool Jul. 19th to Boston arriving Jul. 30th, "Boston, Br. Pkt., 30 Jul" exchange backstamp and matching "31" due handstamp; some edge wear, F.-V.F. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED 31¢ RATE USES FROM AUSTRALIA TO THE UNITED STATES.
The 31¢ collect rate resulted from accountancy between Victoria and England. Great Britain claimed 5d, instead of 6d, due to the expiration of the retaliatory rate period (see Talbeart Vol 1). Three covers are recorded by exhibitor (two are shown in this exhibit) - all three have Boston arrival markings from 1856. This 31¢ rate is not discussed in the literature.
Original letter datelined "Three Mile Creek, Ovens Diggings" and with some excellent gold rush content "…We have now commenced something like California Mining - We are now sluicing. Have just begun and cannot tell what it will pay yet - But hope we may get into something that will in the end pay better than sinking or running round…".
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Realized: $625