Lot
424 
1851 (Jul. 15) San Francisco Cal. to Surrey, England, blue folded letter with red "San Francisco Cal. 15 Jul" cds and matching "Paid" and "25" rating handstamps, New York red "3" credit to G.B. for American packet, carried by Havre Line Humbolt from New York Aug. 23rd to Southampton arriving Sep. 4th, red London Paid (9.4) cds, Very Fine. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
ONE OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS 25¢ ERROR RATE.
Letter carried by Pacific Mail Steamship Co. "Panama" from San Francisco to Panama City and by U.S. Mail Steamship Co. "Cherokee" from Chagres to New York. When new U.S. rates went into effect on July 1st 1851, the San Francisco postmaster incorrectly assumed the new West Coast rate to the U.K. was 25¢ (6¢ cross country plus 19¢ transatlantic fees) instead of the actual rate of 29¢. He used a "25" handstamp that was previously used at San Francisco. The 25¢ rate was in effect only two months before word reached him that he was rating the letters incorrectly, this letter was carried on the second of only four possible voyages (July 1st, July 15th, Aug. 1st, Aug. 15th).
We offered a similar use from the same sailing in our Sale 27 that realized $4,750 hammer.
Realized: $2,000