Transatlantic cover to London

May 19, 1860

May 19, 1860, envelope without its contents from New York to London, paid 24-cents, the single letter rate to the UK, by a horizontal pair of 12-cent black 1857 type 1 adhesives, each cancelled with an 8-bar red grid. Of the 24-cent rate, the US 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 a British contract steamship was to carry the letter to the UK, the New York exchange office clerk credited 19-cents to the U.K., retaining 5-cents for the US. The letter was placed on board the Cunard steamship “Asia,” departing New York on May 23 and arriving at Liverpool on June 2, 1860. The letter arrived at London on June 4, where it was marked as paid.