Lot
1528 
(Withdrawn Ship Letter) 1815 (Jun. 5) Liverpool, England to Providence R.I., docketed folded cover with mostly clear strike of red "Post Paid Withdrawn Ship Letter Liverpool, 5 JU 1815" double-circle Crown datestamp on reverse, red "New-York 6 Aug" cds and matching "Ship" handstamp with manuscript "27½" rate for 25½¢ war surcharge rate of 150-300 miles plus 2¢ ship fee, Very Fine, ex-Frajola. Estimate $500 - 750.
A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE LIVERPOOL POST PAID WITHDRAWN SHIP LETTER DATESTAMP.
The Act of October 10th 1814, made it illegal to place an outbound letter on any ship privately, unless the letter had first been presented to the British Post Office and a fee paid equal to one-third of the combined inland and sea packet postage. Upon payment, the letter received the "Withdrawn Ship Letter" handstamp and the sender was allowed to send the letter by any ship of his choice. In that the Post Office was providing no service at all for this little used and unpopular act, it as terminated on July 11th 1815 after only 11 months.
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