Transatlantic cover to Selkirk, Scotland

1857

6 February 1857, letter from Geneva, New York, to Selkirk, Scotland (North Britain), prepaid 24-cents for a single rate letter up to .5 ounce. PAID/24 handstamp applied at Geneva. New York credited 3-cents to UK (handstamp three below Geneva postmark) since an American packet was to carry letter across the Atlantic. Of the 24-cents paid, the US was entitled to 5-cents inland and 16-cents sea postage, while the UK was entitled to 3-cents inland postage. Letter carried by steamship "Alps," a Cunard steamer on charter to the Collins line for this voyage, from New York (February 14) to Liverpool (February 26). Letter arrived at Selkirk on 27 February 1857.