Lot 50144 – 1853 Stampless Money Letter – London U.C. to Scotland via Cunard “America”

1853 Stampless Money Letter – London U.C. to Scotland via Cunard “America”

Stampless envelope bearing LONDON U.C. AU 27 1853 circular datestamp, endorsed “MONEY LETTER” and struck with red “PAID” handstamp. Carried by Cunard “America” via Boston (31/8) to Liverpool (11/9), with red “PKT. LETTER PAID” marking, addressed to Dunfermline, Scotland. Prepaid 1s2d sterling (or 1s4d currency), the rate valid until March 1854.

Note: Prior to the introduction of registration in Canada on 1 May 1855, registered letters to the United Kingdom were dispatched as Money Letters and charged 6d on arrival for British registration. After Canadian registration began, this system continued, with a 1d registration fee payable in Canada. Only from 1 April 1859 was full-route registration possible; no covers from the earlier transitional period are recorded.