Lot
702 
1852 (Mar. 24) New York to Leghorn (Livorno), Tuscany, printed circular with New York large red "2" cents credit h.s. to G.B., carried by Cunard Line Asia from New York Mar. 24 to Liverpool arriving Apr. 6, Calais entry cds and manuscript "28" rating, red London (4.7) transit and Livorno (4.13) arrival backstamps, Very Fine and scarce, one of only two recorded printed circulars to Tuscany under the 4¢ rate. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
Under U.S.-British Treaty of 1848, newspapers could be sent to Tuscany via England at 4¢ each. Unsealed printed circulars were treated under the newspaper rate. Until April 1853, letters prepaid 4¢ show a 2¢ credit to G.B. Examples of the 4¢ prepayment and 2¢ credit are seldom seen. However, since this cover is marked for 28 crazie postage due it appears that it was treated as an unpaid letter in Tuscany for reasons unknown.