Lot
46 
"Royal William" New York January 16th to Cognac, France 1839, folded letter carried by City of Dublin Steam Packet Company Royal William that departed New York Jan. 16 to Liverpool arriving Feb. 3, "Liverpool/Ship Letter" and London (2.4) backstamps, framed "Packet Letter" handstamp, blue Calais (2.6) entry cds and Cognac (2.8) arrival backstamp, manuscript "32" decimes due rating, Very Fine, Letters carried on any of the three Royal William voyages destined for France are quite uncommon. Estimate $400 - 600.
Letter taken to mail bag at ship agent's office and not to post office, where 25¢ freight money fee undoubtedly paid, but not shown on letter. Liverpool marked 1s7d postage due in London (8d ship fee plus 11d British transit to London). London Foreign Office debited French 1s6d under Anglo-French Convention of 1836 (8d ship fee plus 10d British transit fee to France). Paris marked 32 decimes postage due (18 dec. for British debit plus 14 dec. French inland fee).
Realized: $325