Lot
56 
(Incoming Mail to San Francisco) 1851, Montreal, Canada folded letter. To San Francisco, California, postmarked red "Montreal Oc 1 1851 L.C." cds with a red hand-stamped "Canada" in a double line arc exchange and black manuscript "9" pence due marking (15 cents U.S) on the right side, black "15" cents due handstamp applied in New York, Very Fine, ex-Steinhart & Kramer. Estimate $400 - 600.
This was mailed from Canada on the east coast to the west coast of the U.S. where it was subject to the 15 cent rate consisting of 10 cents per half ounce over 3000 miles and 5 cents per half ounce Canadian inland (6-Apr-1851 - Mar-1864.) The Cross Border Mails collection of Susan M. McDonald contained a west coast to east coast version of this rate, but lacked an example in the other direction.
Realized: $400