Lot
573 
1852 (Jun. 8) Papeete, Tahiti to London via San Francisco Cal., folded letter with blue "San Francisco Cal 16 Sep" cds with matching "Paid" and "29" rate handstamp, New York red "3" credit handstamp to G.B., carried by Collins Line Atlantic from New York Oct. 16 to Liverpool arriving Oct. 27, red London (10.28) arrival cds, Very Fine, a remarkable usage from Tahiti., ex-Winter. Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
Letter sent privately to agent in San Francisco, where the 29¢ fee to England was paid. It was carried by Pacific Mail Steamship Co. steamer "Golden Gate" from San Francisco to Panama City and by U.S. Mail Steamship Co. steamer "Illinois" from Chagres to New York. Blue handstamp "29" applied at San Francisco when letter paid by agent. The blue color ink was used in San Francisco from September 1 to December 13, 1852 only. This is the only recorded example of the "29" in blue, and it is on a letter from a very scarce origin. This cover realized $4,250 hammer in our 2013 R. Winter sale.
Realized: $2,700