SR20

Pre-Blockade Trans-Atlantic Mail from Paris, France to New Orleans, La. Folded Letter Complete (lengthy 3 page letter in French) datelined "Paris 6 April 1861." The letter was pre-paid with a French stamp (pre-affixing clip to the right lower corner) and posted in Paris 6 APR 1861. Manuscript at top right "Per Steam Ship." Boxed red handstamp "Br. Service" (the red mark indicates fully pre-paid) indicating that the cover traveled most likely through Calais, France to Britian for steamship service to the USA. The cover has a RED "Boston 27 APR PAID 15" mark applied on arrival in Boston again indicating that the letter was fully pre-paid. No Cunard Line packet matches this arrival date in Boston. The only British contract packet that matches the Boston arrival date of 27 APR 1861 was the Columbia from the Galway Line which sailed from Galway, Ireland on 9 APR 1861. The Galway Line was under contract to carry British mail from Galway  to New York, Boston, and St Johns (Newfoundland). So this must have been the trans-Atlantic route for this cover from France because of the dates and the "British Service" mark. From Boston, the cover was carried overland to New Orleans for final delivery. No indication of the actual arrival date in New Orleans. US Mail Service to Confederate Louisiana. Very Fine.

$500.00

If you wish to order this cover, send me an E-mail or use my secure Confederate Order Form. Clicking on my Confederate Order Form link below will open the order form in a new window or tab which can be kept open while you browse the remainder of the listings. JLKCSA@aol.com -- Confederate Order Form --