Lot
5255 
1870 (May 26) Detroit, Mich. to Göttingen, Hanover, Prussia, wrapper bearing 3¢ ultramarine (114) nat. s.e. at right, tied by split cork cancel duplexed with "Detroit Mich. May 26" cds at the printed matter rate, New York black "PAID ALL" straightline, carried by NGL Line Main from New York May 28th to Bremenhaven arriving Jun. 8th, reverse with red crayon "10/6 7" rating and partial Göettingen (6.10) arrival cds, Very Fine. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE 3¢ 1869 ISSUE TRANSATLANTIC PRINTED MATTER USE TO PRUSSIA.
Unlike the case with letter postage, rates for printed matter became higher and more complex under the US-NGU Convention. Base rates for newspapers up to 4 oz. were 3o by direct mail and 4¢ by closed mail. Circulars were considered "book-packets" up to 4 oz. and were charged 6¢ by direct mail and 8¢ by closed. That lasted until late 1870, when a special "book-packet" up to 1 oz. rate was introduced for circulars and charged 2¢ for direct mail and 3¢ for closed.
Realized: $2,700