Description: Postmarked Philadelphia on March 2, 1858 and with a "PAID 30" to denote a single rate letter to Singapore via the Overland Route to the Orient, this cover, addressed to "Thomas Biddle, Jr., Esq., United States Consul, Singapore, E. Indies," has the notation "Via [Point de] Galle Ceylon" in the lower left. I believe it traveled aboard Cunard's "Africa" (some research done) which left New York on March 3, 1858 and arrived at Liverpool on March 14, 1858. It received a "ET. UNIS SERV. BR. A. C." at Calais (lower right, obverse) on March 15, 1858. On the reverse, a PARIS double-circle was strongly struck on March 16, 1858. On the reverse, a Marseille back-stamp of March 17, 1858 was also struck. According to some research: I believe it left for Alexandria, Egypt aboard the P&O steamer "Valetta" from Marseille on March 27, 1858, which arrived at Alexandria on April 1st or 2nd 1858. I believe it went over land from Alexandria to Suez and left Suez on the P&O Steamer "Candria" on April 4, 1858, arriving at Point De Galle on April 19, 1858 and taken aboard the P&O Steamer "Singapore" which left there on April 21, 1858 for Singapore, arriving there on April 29th or 30, 1858. This cover was discussed in the Pennsylvania Postal Historian in the Feb-Mar issue of 1998, pages 4-7. You are purchasing the postal portion only - I do not have the original letter. Free Domestic Shipping - Not a reproduction. This is an original item. You will receive the exact item pictured. It is an original item and not a reproduction. It's completely authentic. FREE United States of America Postal Service FIRST CLASS MAIL SHIPPING to the United States. Uninsured International, including Canada, shipments are $15.00. If you purchase multiple items and let me send the invoice, I will try to adjust shipping to a reasonable incremental level. I prefer eBay's Payment System. If you wish to pay by any other means, please message me before buying at and ask permission, which will not be unreasonably withheld. When I send an invoice after you have purchased the item, please immediately remind me that you will be paying by another means.Postal insurance and/or registered mail for loss and/or damage protection will be an extra charge and offered only if specifically requested. If this concerns you, please message me in advance of your purchase. Sometimes I will require this to protect us both. All international shipments that request registered mail (insurance generally unavailable) will be charged a flat additional $18 for this service. The United States Postal Service has an excellent record with my shipments. I have been a member of the American Philatelic Society since 1978 and have been selling on eBay for over 20 years. You will need to work through Sales Tax issues with eBay if for some reason you feel you should not be automatically charged sales tax. I cannot do anything about sales tax as eBay takes it and I never see it. Thank you for taking the time to view my items and make sure to review the other items in my eBay retail store, especially in this category.
Price: 276.5 USD
Location: Richmond, Virginia
End Time: 2025-02-13T18:53:36.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Place of Origin: United States
