Lot
4156 
Australian States: Victoria, 1869 (Apr. 24) Melbourne, Victoria to New York N.Y., tissue-paper cover bearing Victoria, 3d lilac (83) and 1s blue (80), tied by two strikes of "Victoria" barred circle cancel duplexed with "Melbourne, AP 24, 69" cds, red crayon "5" pence credit to G.B., endorsed "Via Marseilles", carried by P&O Malta from Melbourne, partial strike of red London Paid (6.12) transit cds and matching "2/Cents" handstamp credit to U.S., carried transatlantic by Cunard Line China from Liverpool Jun. 13th to New York arriving Jun. 22nd, red "New York Br. Pkt, Jun 23" exchange cds; edge wear and flaws, Fine. Estimate $500 - 750.
The 1868 Marseilles rate of 15d per half ounce paid postage to all United States destinations, but accountancy between England and the United States still applied.
The 1868 Act reduced the transatlantic rate to 6d, which included internal postage for both England and USA. The 1869 Act mandated a 2¢ credit to United States for internal postage.
Realized: $450