Lot
348 
India, 1854 Madras, India to New York, N.Y. 1854 folded cover with dark red framed three line "Madras G.P.O. 1854 Ap 22" hand-stamped in the lower left corner with matching crescent "India Paid" and red manuscript "3/2" adjacent. Red manuscript "2/" superimposed over the previously mentioned India Paid hand-stamp, red tombstone four line "M PAID 11JU11 1854" hand-stamp upper middle, black manuscript "pr steamer" in the upper left corner, black manuscript "Paid" upper right corner, with a black circular "10" hand-stamp and black "NEW - YORK Am. Pkt. JUN 25" receiving exchange cds in the lower right corner, Very Fine, a scarce early cover to the United States. Estimate $150 - 200.
The rate from India to G.B. (Southampton) was 1/ (8annas) (1840 - 31-Jan-1856). This was paid 3/2, as indicated, for a letter weighing between one half and one ounce, in an attempt to pay the 1/ per half ounce to G.B., and remaining 16 cents per half ounce sea postage - 1/ doubled (24c X 2 =48c) or 2/, plus 8 pence doubled (16c X 2=32c) or 1/4 for a total of 3/4 (80 cents), leaving a shortage of 2 pence. The red manuscript "2/" to represent a restatement of the rate, and should have been in black, but was taken as a credit in New York, where only 10 cents (5 cents U.S. inland X 2 = 10 cents) was collected from the addressee. Per P&O steamer "Hindostan", departing Galle 28-Apr-1854, arriving Suez 14-May-1854, overland to Alexandria, where departed per "Simla", arriving Southampton 10-Jun-1854. Departed Liverpool per Collins Line steamer "Atlantic" on 14-Jun-1854, arriving New York 25-Jun-1854.
Realized: $250