Lot no. 6239

1874, Insufficiently prepaid letter sent from Meadow Valley, California (USA) January 13th 1874 via Germany to Bollnäs. Transit cancels on reverse: "NEW YORK GERMAN TRANSIT JAN 29" and "PKXP. NR 2. NED. 12 2 1874". This letter was considered to be prepaid 6 cent only, the 2 cent revenue stamp was apparently rejected. The postage for a direct route letter was 6 cent, but then the letter had to be marked "Direct Service" or "Direct", this letter was not. Instead it was marked on front "Via North German Union Mail" but with unsufficient postage for that route, it should have been 14 cents for an unpaid letter. The convention specified that insufficiently prepaid letters should be dealt with as unpaid but paid postage to be deducted. Thus the letter was 14-6 = 8 cents = 32 öre underpaid. Franked with 12 + 20 öre Postage due adhesives corresponding to 32 öre. A few tears and nicks around the edge of the letter, still attractive.