Lot
60 
(Incoming Mail to San Francisco) 1857, London, England folded letter. To San Francisco, black manuscript "per steamer via United States" across the top franked with Great Britain 1d red + 2d blue + 1sh green tied by black barred numeral "22" cancels, for a total franking of 1/3, which overpaid the correct 1/ 2 ½ pence rate by a half pence, black San Francisco handstamped "20" cents due upper middle for steamship from Panama to San Francisco, horiz. cover wrinkle, Very Fine. Estimate $300 - 400.
The letter is datelined "Calcutta 8th January 1857" with "Recd. P steamer Golden Age 12th April 1857" just beneath in a different hand. The Pacific Mail Steamship Co. steamer Golden Age departed Panama 30-Mar, arriving San Francisco 12-Apr. This was most likely routed via Southampton to St. Thomas, and onward to Colon and Panama City. The Royal Mail Steam Packet steamer LaPlata departed Southampton 17-Feb, arriving in St. Thomas 18-Mar. Per the steamer Clyde, departing St. Thomas 18-Mar, arriving Colon 24-Mar. This is a more likely scenario than if routed via New York or Boston.
Realized: $1,250