Lot
928 
1848 (Apr. 14) London, England To New York N.Y., datelined folded letter with red London Maltese cross datestamp and red manuscript "1/" shilling prepaid packet rating, carried by Cunard Line America from Liverpool April 15 to New York arriving April 29, New York red circled "6" rating handstamp, clean and Very Fine, This was carried on the maiden voyage of Cunard Line America. Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $65
Lot
929
1848 (May 6) Bristol, England To New York, N.Y., datelined folded letter posted unpaid with "Bristol Py Post 5 MY 1848" backstamp and sent to London where red "Returned for Postage" fancy handstamp struck, reposted with Bristol (5.8) cds and red manuscript "1/-" packet postage paid, Liverpool (5.9) transits, carried by Cunard Line Hibernia from Liverpool May 13 to New York arriving May 27, New York large red "6" circled handstamp for ship fee; Very Fine, Letter was carried on seventh of only nine voyages by Cunard steamers to New York before retaliatory rate period. Estimate $300 - 400.
New York ship markings appear on Cunard covers for only six months in 1848 and six weeks in early 1849 before treaty rates became effective. This is an unusual use of the returned for postage marking on a transatlantic cover.
Realized: $1,050
Lot
930
1848 (May 25) London, England To Philadelphia, Pa., blue folded letter with red London Paid (5.25) maltese cross datestamps and prepaid red manuscript "2/" shilling rating for double packet rating, Liverpool (5.26) transit, carried by Cunard Line Acadia from Liverpool May 27 to New York arriving Jun. 10, New York large red "12" postage due for 2¢ ship fee plus double 10¢ inland postage, clean and Very Fine. Estimate $200 - 300.
Liverpool transit lozenge with serif letters is far rarer than the sans serif version used later. Although known in use since 1840, very few examples have been recorded to the U.S. and those occur mostly in early 1848. Letter was carried on eighth of only nine voyage by Cunard steamers to New York before retaliatory rate period. New York ship markings appear on Cunard covers for only six months in 1848 and six weeks in early 1849 before treaty rates became effective.
Realized: $240
Lot
931
1848 (Jun. 17) Liverpool, England To New York, N.Y., folded letter with red "Paid at Liverpool, JU 17 1848" with red manuscript "1" shilling prepaid rating, carried by Cunard Line Cunard Line Cambria from Liverpool Jun. 17 to Boston arriving Jun. 30, "Boston Ms. 'Ship' Jun 30" exchange cds and matching "7" due h.s. for 5¢ inland postage plus 2¢ ship fee, F.-V.F. Estimate $150 - 200.
Letter carried on last Cunard mail voyage to the U.S. before retaliatory rate period. For the next six months all packet letters between the U.S. and G.B. required double sea postage as the U.S. retaliated against the British practice of charging a full packet rate even though their steamers provided no service.