Auction # 58 - Winter 2014 Auction

1835 (Sep. 17) Warwickshire, England to Liverpool, then on to New York. Folded letter with red manuscript "In all 1s" rating, light strike of "Liverpool / Exempt Ship Lr." two-line handstamp, then carried along with cargo by Blue Swallowtail Line Independence departing Liverpool Sep. 27th to New York arriving Oct. 24th, Very Fine, a scarce and early example of the Liverpool Exempt Ship Letter handstamp.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

Exempt ship letters were required to have inland postage prepaid, but were exempt from the ship letter fee. This privilege was available to 'Owners, Charterers, or Consignees of any inwards bound vessel' and 'Owners, Shippers, or Consignees of any goods on such a vessel'. This handstamp "Liverpool / Exempt Ship Lr." has been recorded in black 1835 to 1840 and is mainly lightly struck.