Lot
4064 
Australian States: Victoria, 1861 (Mar. 18) Melbourne, Victoria to San Francisco Cal., gray folded cover with original letter bearing Victoria, 6d blue (30) tied by bold "1" numeral grid, matching "Melbourne, MA 18, 61" backstamp, carried as endorsed by Iconium to San Francisco, entered mails with "San Francisco Cal., Jun 7, 1861" cds and matching bold "Ship 6" due handstamp; some edge wear, Very Fine. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
This San Francisco "Ship 6" marking is the last state of the device with the clamshell removed. See article by Fred Gregory in "Western Express".
Realized: $700