Lot
4120 
Australian States: New South Wales, 1863 (Sep. 21) Sydney, New South Wales to San Francisco, Cal. via London, cover bearing New South Wales, 3d deep green (37), 6d violet (40) and 1s carmine (42), rich colors, each tied by oval "N.S.W." duplexed with "Sydney, SP 21, 63" cds, carried by P&O Northam via Southampton, red London Paid (11.20) transit cds and light red ms. "1/1" (26¢) credit to U.S., closed mail to San Francisco, red orange "San Francisco Cal., Paid, Dec 29, 1863" exchange arrival cds; small opening tear, Very Fine. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
A PRETTY THREE-COLOR NEW SOUTH WALES FRANKING PREPAYING THE 1/8½D RATE TO THE WEST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES.
This cover is a good indication that the lowering of the 1 /8½d rate to 1/7, which officially took place from 30 June 1863 (John White's NSW Postal History book, p338), never went into effect in the Australian Colonies.
Realized: $600