Lot
4418 
1858 (Jun. 23) San Diego Cal. to Midi-Pyrénées, France via Panama & New York, orange buff cover with "San Diego Cal. Jun 23" cds initially rated with manuscript "Paid 16 cts" in box notation. This was crossed out and "Paid 26" circular rating handstamp struck, neither of these rates was in accordance with current 15¢ up to ¾ ounce rate, black "New York Jul 24" cds and matching "Short Paid" framed handstamp struck as letter apparently over ¾ ounces, black "30" circular debit rating struck, carried by Cunard Line Canada from Boston July 28th and arriving at Liverpool Aug. 7th, Calais (10.10.1858) entry cds with matching "16" décimes due rating handstamp; minor edgewear, Very Fine and interesting error rate cover. Estimate $500 - 750.
Although the early sailings by the Pacific Mail Steam Ship Company under their contract for the San Francisco to Panama route made landings at San Diego, these were dropped in the interest of speed in early 1851. It was not until October 1858 that a San Francisco to San Diego coastal route was contracted. It is probable that mails to and from San Diego were entrusted to coastal ships Masters who were known to be calling at San Francisco, Acapulco or Panama. They were either paid at the 2¢ ship letter rate, or a local contract for the trip negotiated.