Lot
4038 
Australian States: Victoria, 1855 (Nov. 2) Melbourne, Victoria to Boston Mass., gray folded letter bearing Victoria, 6d yellow orange (17), four clear to large margins, tied by barred "1 V" numeral oval, matching "Melbourne, Victoria, OC 2, 1855" rimless oval backstamp, missed James Baines as endorsed, carried by Clipper Shalimar packet sailing to England, reverse with "Australian Packet, Liverpool, FE 3, 56" backstamp and "ART-2" straightline, partial "d5" debit h.s. to Victoria, Liverpool (2.4) oval backstamp and matching "10/Cents" debit handstamp to U.S., carried by Collins Line Atlantic from Liverpool Feb. 6th to New York arriving Feb. 24th, closed bag to Boston with "Boston, Am. Pkt., Feb 25" exchange backstamp and matching bold "31" due handstamp, F.-V.F. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED 31¢ RATE USES FROM AUSTRALIA TO THE UNITED STATES.
Note that United States retained 21¢ on this American transatlantic packet use, whereas United States retained only 5¢ internal postage on the British Packet use on previous page.
Realized: $800