Lot
4164 
Australian States: Tasmania, 1880 (Aug. 18) Launceston, Tasmania to New York N.Y., cover bearing Tasmania, 2d green and 6d bright violet, tied by two strikes of "Tasmania" barred oval duplexed with "Launceston, AU 18 '80" cds, endorsed "Via Brindisi", red crayon "2d" credit, carried by P&O Ravenna to Suez, rail to Alexandria, P&O Ceylon Alexandria to Brindisi, red London (9.30) transit backstamp, New York "Paid All" (8.3) arrival backstamp, Very Fine. Estimate $200 - 300.
The Brindisi rate from Tasmania to the United States was still officially 10d, but the cover went through at 8d.
Tasmania Rate Confusion: In January 1880 the via Southampton mail route was eliminated. P&O ships went through the Suez Canal, but first off-loaded Brindisi mail at Suez for shipment by rail across the isthmus. Colonies soon lowered the via Brindisi rate to USA to 8d, but Tasmania officially did not until June 1883.
Realized: $600