Auction # 58 - Winter 2014 Auction

[Retaliatory Rate] 1848 (Dec. 2) Nottingham, England to New York N.Y. Datelined folded letter with blue "Nottingham DE 2 1848" cds and magenta "2/-" shilling rating at two times the 1s transatlantic packet fee, Liverpool (12.3) backstamps, apparently missed the Dec. 2nd sailing and carried by Cunard Line Europa from Liverpool Dec. 16th to New York arriving Dec. 31st, blue manuscript "48" cent due rating at two times the 24¢ transatlantic packet rate with no inland postage due since ship arrived at New York, F.-V.F. and rare example from the last retaliatory sailing.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

Letter arrived in Liverpool just after the Cunard steamer Niagara departed for Boston and had to wait two weeks for the next steamer to New York. It was carried on 25th and last Cunard mail voyage to the U.S. under the retaliatory order. .