Lot
4072 
Australian States: New South Wales, 1854 (Mar. 6) Sydney, New South Wales to Boston Mass. via Peru, blue folded cover bearing New South Wales, Laureate, 6d brown, plate II (Sc 19, SG 73), four margins, tied by multiple strikes of barred oval, matching "Sydney, N.S.W., FE*11, 1854" rimless backstamp, carried by private ship direct to South America (not via England as endorsed), then British packet to Panama and across Isthmus by mule and canoe to Aspinwall, contract steamship to New York where "Steamship 20" in circle due handstamp struck, Very Fine and choice. Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
A CHOICE NEW SOUTH WALES USE PREPAID FOR DOUBLE THE 3D PRIVATE SHIP RATE.
Cover was prepaid 6d for double the 3d private ship rate, but was treated as single rate in New York with 20¢ due for steamship rate over 2,500 miles.
Some private ships from Australia traveled across the Pacific direct to Panama, others first to Valparaiso or Callao. Mail to the United States west coast was then carried from Panama to San Francisco on Pacific Mail Steamship vessels. Mail to the eastern United States crossed the Isthmus to Aspinwall and went by contract steamships to New York.
Realized: $5,250