Lot
4063 
1860 (Jun. 4) South Bend Ind. to Melbourne, Victoria, light amber cover bearing United States, 10¢ green (35) tied by sharp "South Bend Ind. Jun 4" cds, endorsed "Via California", carried by private ship via Pacific Ocean, reverse with "Ship Letter, Sydney, SP 3" rimless cds and red Melbourne (9.11) arrival cds, forwarded to Sunbury with Sep. 12th arrival backstamp, forwarded again to Black Forest with Melbourne (9.13) transit backstamp and Sep. 17th arrival backstamp; top edge tear, otherwise Very Fine. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS RARE 10¢ PRIVATE SHIP LETTER RATE TO THE AUSTRALIAN COLONIES.
Starnes lists a 10¢ private ship rate from San Francisco to Australian Colonies from April 1855 until August 1863. Very little mail was sent since sailings were infrequent and post offices did not have access to private ship sailing schedules. Note there were no arrival charges in Australia.
Realized: $600