Lot
52 
(San Francisco, Statehood, Error Rates) 1851, San Francisco, Ca. folded letter to London. Postmarked orange red "San Francisco Cal 15 Jul" cds with matching straight line "Paid" and "25" cents rate handstamp, partial red "3" cents credit to G.B. for inland postage, and dark red "Paid 1851 4 Sp 4 Bx" receiving cds on the right side, Very Fine. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
According to Winter, the San Francisco postmaster arrived at this rate by adding the 6 cents per half ounce paid U.S. transcontinental rate, 16 cents sea, and 3 cents G.B. inland. The correct rate being 29 cents per half ounce from 1-Jul-1851 through 30-Jun-1863. Departed San Francisco per Pacific Mail Steamship Line steamer "Panama" on 15-Jul, with no arrival date in Panama City known to Wierenga (Theron J. - U.S. Incoming Steamship Mail, 1847-1875). Per the Havre Line steamer "Humboldt", departing New York 23-Aug, arriving Southampton 4-Sep. Winter has recorded two examples of this error rate. This is probably the second cover recorded, and was accorded service via British packet.
Realized: $4,750