Lot
583 
1856 (Jul. 24) Madeira to Washington, D.C., double-weight light buff cover with enclosed letter from Dr. George Clymer, surgeon on the U.S. Frigate St. Lawrence datelined "San Antonio da Serra. Madeira, July 13th. 1856." to his daughter sent unpaid via British open mail, entered mails with "Madeira, JY 23, 1856" double-arc backstamp, carried as endorsed by African Steamship Co. Niger from Funchal Jul. 23rd to Plymouth arriving Jul. 29th, reverse with "Plymouth, Packet Letter, JY 30, 1856" cds and red London (7.31) transit cds, London manuscript "1.20" debit to U.S. for transit and sea postage, carried by Cunard Line Canada from Liverpool Aug. 2nd to Boston arriving Aug. 13th, "Boston, Br. Pkt., 13 Aug" exchange cds and debit update to "1.40" for $1.40 due, Very Fine and scarce double rate from Madeira. Estimate $200 - 300.
London's debit of $1.20 to the U.S. was correct (double 65¢ rate, less 10 cents for U.S. inland). The Boston clerk may have thought it was a ship letter, so added 10¢.
Realized: $130