Lot
87 
(Depreciated Currency) Lisbon, Portugal to Burlington, Vermont. 1869 cover with manuscript "Cts 24" and "Lisboa, 13/9, 1869" origin cds, manuscript "340" rating and "36" handstamp, reverse with red "London, Sp 17, 69" & "New York, Sep 30" transit cds's, Very Fine. Estimate $150 - 200.
The 24¢ rate represents the initial amount due without fine or depreciated currency increase, rate from Portugal to England was 6d (12c U.S) from 1-Aug-1866 to 1-Jul-1875 per British Packet via Southampton. There was to be a 2d fine per half ounce on mail sent unpaid via this route, plus deficiency, and this was the secondary route requiring endorsement per this route, rate to the U.S. from England was 6d (12 cents) with the U.S. being credited with 2¢ for inland postage, although only 10¢ was added to destinations or origins beyond England because British transit was operable on only one route, thus the rate became 22¢ total, the secondary route via Southampton was 6d with an additional 2d fine for being unpaid. To this was added the remainder of the 6d treaty rate to the U.S.: 6d less 1d transit and 1d U.S. inland, or 4d for a combined total of 12d or 24¢ debited to the U.S., to the 24¢ was added a fine of 5¢ for having arrived unpaid in the U.S. for a total of 29¢ due in gold or 36¢ in U.S. notes, this results in ratio of 1.24, probably per the return trip of the Brazil mail packet to G.B. and per Cunard Line steamer Cuba departing Liverpool 18 Sep. arriving New York 29 Sep.
Realized: $135