Lot
540 
1852 (Mar. 1) New York to Schiedam, Netherlands, folded letter with red "New York Mar 2"cds, carried by Cunard Line Cambria from Boston Mar. 3 to Liverpool arriving Mar. 16, London (3.17) backstamp and "ART - 5 / US. Pkt." h.s. with manuscript "8" pence debit to Netherlands, Schiedam (3.18) arrival backstamp with manuscript "60" Dutch Cents due rating; two file folds, Very Fine, first example recorded of London version of the ART-5/US. PKT. marking. Estimate $300 - 400.
Letter sent on British packet, but apparently at London got mixed with American packet mail carried on same steamship. Letter marked for U.S. packet service and Dutch debited 8d instead of 1s4d. Dutch marked 60 Cents due based on British debit. ART-5/US. PKT. handstamp applied in error. This style of marking has upright letters instead of the slanted letters of the Liverpool marking.
Realized: $425