Lot no. 6165

1876, folded letter to New York, datelined St. Thomas, 9th of February, postmarked with St. Thomas c.d.s. (12 Feb) of the D.W.I. Post Office, struck with oval Lamb & Co (Forwarding Agents) anchor handstamp, affixed with two 1875 1c blue, cancelled with intaglio corks, paying the 10c rate for carriage on the King Line, whose King Richard called at St. Thomas on its final northbound journey on February 12, postmarked on arrival in Baltimore with two “BALT / PAID ALL” c.d.s., edge creasing and vertical filing folds, of trivial importance given the tremendous rarity of this cover, being the only recorded example carried on this final trip of the King Line.

Following the expiration of the United States Brazil Mail Steamship Co. contract in October, 1875, the King Line began advertising its service from Baltimore to Rio de Janeiro via St. Thomas. The King Line made only three apparent journeys, with a notice being published in January, 1876 indicating that their steamers would be withdrawing from service. There is no record of further journeys following the 12 February stop in St. Thomas.