Transatlantic cover to London

December 9, 1865

December 9, 1865, envelope without its contents from New York to London, sent unpaid under the US-UK convention of 1848. Of the 24-cent rate for a .5 ounce letter, the U.S. was entitled to 5 cents, the UK to 3 cents, and the 16 cents sea transit fee went to the country whose steamer carried the letter. Because an American contract steamship was to carry the letter to the UK, the New York exchange office clerk debited 21 cents to the UK, shown in the New York exchange office datestamp, which also identifies American packet service. The letter was placed on board the Inman Line steamship “City of Baltimore,” departing New York on December 9 and arriving at Liverpool on December 21, 1865. The letter arrived at London later the same day. At Liverpool the letter was marked for 1 shilling postage due with a black handstamp on the left side. This was equivalent to 24 cents. Although the Inman Line was British-owned, it was under contract to the American government to carry mail; hence, it was considered under the postal convention as an American vessel. The “City of Baltimore” was advertised to carry mail only for Ireland on this voyage, but it appears that some mail for London was on board, and it was not off-loaded at Queenstown. Rather, it was carried to Liverpool.