Lot 10046 – German States – Württemberg. 1853 (Dec 19). Cover from Bopfingen to New York, bearing 1851 1kr, 9kr and two examples of 18kr

German States – Württemberg. 1853 (Dec 19). Cover from Bopfingen to New York (Nördlinger Brothers correspondence), bearing 1851 1kr, 6kr type I and two examples of 18kr type II, the 9kr just touched at base, otherwise with predominantly large margins, tied by Bopfingen datestamps, repeated at right, where red French transit and U.S. 5c Boston cds were also struck, the latter indicating prepayment of the inland rate, carried from Liverpool by Cunard SS “Canada”, some erosion caused by the ink in this fragile paper; a rare first-issue cover to a transatlantic destination; cert. Thoma (1981).

Note: The 43 kreuzer rate, equivalent to 1/3d or 30 cents, included 2kr inland fee, 4kr for the French portion of the journey, 16kr corresponding to the British maritime fee and 5kr U.S. inland postage.