Americana Stamps

Lot #: 3065

Red "New York Mar 2" cds with red "MAIL ROUTE" marking. Manuscript "18 3/4" on 1829 folded letter to Philadelphia.
Folded letter datelined "New Orleans January the 26th 1829" relating to a shipment of 530 bales of cotton.

Carried on "Brig Nereus" to New York. Placed in regular closed bag mail and rated "18 3/4" for 150-400 miles.

Under an interpretation of the Mail Route fiction, no 2 cent ship fee was paid because the ship was deemed to have carried the mail under an "implied contract" with the post office department.
Opening: Make an Offer
Estimate: $500
Category: US Stampless, Mail Route Anomaly
Provenance: Paige? Auction 3/2/52?