Lot
260 
"Great Britain", 1846 (Jul. 5) Darbyshire, England to Philadelphia Pa., folded letter endorsed "G Western" corrected to "Britain" at lower left, rimless "Ship-Letter, Liverpool, JY 7 46" crown cds on the reverse, red "8" pence prepaid rating handstamp, carried as endorsed by Great Britain from Liverpool Jul. 7th to New York arriving Jul. 24th, blue manuscript "7" cents due for 5¢ inland plus 2¢ ship fee, letterhead with very detailed engraved illustration of village view occupying the upper half of the first page with "Matlock" caption, Very Fine, This was the Last Voyage of the Great Britain. Estimate $500 - 750.
Letter carried on the fourth and last voyage of the Great Britain to New York before she ran hard aground on the sandy beach of Dundrum Bay near Belfast in September 1846. The "Great Britain" at 3,450 tons was the world's largest steamship when launched.
Realized: $475