Lot
4416 
"Chincha Islands, September 18th 1855", manuscript dateline on folded letter addressed to Boston Mass., docketed "Ship Greenwich, Sailed for Hampton Roads from Chinchas, Sepr. 19/55" and "Paid" at top right, letter carried privately from the Chincha Islands off the Peruvian coast to Callao for transfer to the British packet to Panama, from there carried by United States S.S. Co. George Law arriving in New York on Oct. 30th, black "Steamship 20" circular circular handstamp for the 20¢ rate over 2,500 miles, Very Fine. Estimate $600 - 800.
On October 1st 1853, a Post Office regulation allowed for the transfer of mails from the west coast of South America carried by Royal Mail Packets to Panama to be transferred to the U.S. postal service. The British rate of 1 shilling was prepaid and a U.S. charge of 20¢ applied for the Aspinwall to New York service.
Interesting letter reads in part, "I am sorry to inform you that after loading the Ship (with guano) down to 19 feet she commenced leaking badly and she is now drawing 19 feet 11 inches & ¾ even keel, and I have drawn up a document certifying that the ship is drawing 20 feet and have it signed by a number of Ship Masters to that effect…My crew is very much dissatisfied about her coming in the ship on account of leaking badly, she is making about 2 inches of water an hour. I am coming home with her or sink".