Lot
912 
1837 (Jun. 12) Canton, Mass. To Paris, France, folded letter with red "Canton Mass. June. 12" cds with manuscript date and matching "Free" h.s., manuscript "J.J. Johnson, P.M." free frank endorsement, carried by Union Line Charlemagne from New York June 16 to Havre arriving July 14, Paris "11" decimes final due rating, Very Fine, Free franks used on transatlantic mail are quite uncommon. Estimate $100 - 150.
Letter sent without U.S. inland postage because postmaster of Canton, Mass. was entitled to free postage and used his free frank privilege with the endorsement in the upper right corner. When the letter arrived at France it was marked for 11 decimes postage due (1 decime sea postage plus 10 decimes inland postage). The "decime du mer" was a 1 decime charge for an incoming ship letter, to which the inland fee had to be added.
Realized: $260