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| Scott Number | 2 |
|---|---|
| Date | October 31, 1848 |
| From City | US Express New York |
| From State | RR |
| To City | Sheffield |
| To State | England |
| Addressee | William Jeffrey |
| Cert Author | PF |
| Cert # | 420536 |
| Fake | |
| Quantity 1 | 0 |
| Quantity 2 | 3 |
| Bisect | |
| Others |
Notes
10c Black (2). Horizontal strip of three, huge top margin with parts of three adjoining stamps, large to clear at sides, slightly irregular bottom margin just barely in at places, deep shade and fine impression, tied by several strikes of red grid, matching "U.S. Express Mail N.Y. N.York Oct. 31" (1848) route agent's circular datestamp on blue folded cover originating in New York City and addressed to Sheffield, England, sender's routing "P. R.S. Steam Ship Niagara" and docketing on back confirms Niagara sailing, "1/-" shilling due handstamp applied at Liverpool, "America/Liverpool NO 13 1848" and Sheffield receiving backstamps, addressee's last name (Jeffrey) has been concealed with pen squiggle lines
VERY FINE. AN IMPRESSIVE FRANKING AND EXTREMELY RARE 1847 ISSUE COVER MAILED TO ENGLAND DURING THE RETALIATORY-RATE PERIOD.
The so-called Retaliatory Period resulted from Great Britain's effort to maintain its monopoly on transatlantic mail carriage through the subsidized Cunard steamship line, which operated without competition from 1840 through 1846. In response to the emergence of subsidized American packets in 1847, the British issued an order (effective June 9, 1847) authorizing its receiving offices to collect the usual British packet postage on letters carried to England by American subsidized steamers. This effectively allowed England to collect 24c packet charges for every inbound letter, whether or not any service had been performed.
The United States vehemently protested the British order through diplomatic channels, but efforts to persuade the government to rescind the anti-American postal tariff were unsuccessful. In December 1847, U.S. Postmaster General Cave Johnson petitioned Congress for power to levy like charges on mail carried by British steamers to or from the United States, but he was not authorized to do so until June 1848. On all Cunard sailings from June 24, 1848 (the Caledonia from Liverpool) through December 31, 1848 (the Europa arriving at New York), American packet postage was required on all inbound and outbound mail to England whether or not one of the American vessels was used, creating the so-called Retaliatory Rate. Beginning with the departure of the Europa from New York on January 10, 1849, earlier rates were restored, and soon after the new U.S.-British treaty rate was effected.
This cover to England reflects the dispute between Great Britain and the United States. The sender paid 5c for U.S. postage from New York City to Boston (postmarked by the railroad route agent) and prepaid the 24c Retaliatory Rate (1c overpayment). The letter was carried on board the Cunarder Niagara, departing Boston on Nov. 1, 1848, and arriving in Liverpool on Nov. 13. At the Liverpool foreign-mail office, the 24c prepayment was ignored and the "1/-" due handstamp was applied, indicating the amount owed by the addressee to the British Post Office for sea postage. Only seven or eight 1847 Issue covers are known with retaliatory-rate charges.
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. Sale 886 Lot 3047 realized 45,000
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries sale 1211 (William H Gross) lot 151 realized 22,000 (image)
H R Harmer sale 1790-93 lot 82
Robert A. Siegel sale 1244 lot 34 realized 29,000
PF 420536
2 1847 10¢ black STRIP OF THREE, RED GRID CANCELS, ON 1848 DOCKETED FOLDED ADDRESS SHEET TO ENGLAND, RED U.S. EXPRESS MAIL/NY PMK AT RIGHT, IVERPOOL & SHEFFIELD BACKSTAMPS.
AND WE ARE OF THE OPINION THAT
It Is A Genuine Usage
Alexander listed as 10/31/48
VERY FINE. AN IMPRESSIVE FRANKING AND EXTREMELY RARE 1847 ISSUE COVER MAILED TO ENGLAND DURING THE RETALIATORY-RATE PERIOD.
The so-called Retaliatory Period resulted from Great Britain's effort to maintain its monopoly on transatlantic mail carriage through the subsidized Cunard steamship line, which operated without competition from 1840 through 1846. In response to the emergence of subsidized American packets in 1847, the British issued an order (effective June 9, 1847) authorizing its receiving offices to collect the usual British packet postage on letters carried to England by American subsidized steamers. This effectively allowed England to collect 24c packet charges for every inbound letter, whether or not any service had been performed.
The United States vehemently protested the British order through diplomatic channels, but efforts to persuade the government to rescind the anti-American postal tariff were unsuccessful. In December 1847, U.S. Postmaster General Cave Johnson petitioned Congress for power to levy like charges on mail carried by British steamers to or from the United States, but he was not authorized to do so until June 1848. On all Cunard sailings from June 24, 1848 (the Caledonia from Liverpool) through December 31, 1848 (the Europa arriving at New York), American packet postage was required on all inbound and outbound mail to England whether or not one of the American vessels was used, creating the so-called Retaliatory Rate. Beginning with the departure of the Europa from New York on January 10, 1849, earlier rates were restored, and soon after the new U.S.-British treaty rate was effected.
This cover to England reflects the dispute between Great Britain and the United States. The sender paid 5c for U.S. postage from New York City to Boston (postmarked by the railroad route agent) and prepaid the 24c Retaliatory Rate (1c overpayment). The letter was carried on board the Cunarder Niagara, departing Boston on Nov. 1, 1848, and arriving in Liverpool on Nov. 13. At the Liverpool foreign-mail office, the 24c prepayment was ignored and the "1/-" due handstamp was applied, indicating the amount owed by the addressee to the British Post Office for sea postage. Only seven or eight 1847 Issue covers are known with retaliatory-rate charges.
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. Sale 886 Lot 3047 realized 45,000
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries sale 1211 (William H Gross) lot 151 realized 22,000 (image)
H R Harmer sale 1790-93 lot 82
Robert A. Siegel sale 1244 lot 34 realized 29,000
PF 420536
2 1847 10¢ black STRIP OF THREE, RED GRID CANCELS, ON 1848 DOCKETED FOLDED ADDRESS SHEET TO ENGLAND, RED U.S. EXPRESS MAIL/NY PMK AT RIGHT, IVERPOOL & SHEFFIELD BACKSTAMPS.
AND WE ARE OF THE OPINION THAT
It Is A Genuine Usage
Alexander listed as 10/31/48
