British & North American Royal Mail Steam Packet Company
(Cunard Line)
The Cunard Line operated between Liverpool and Boston beginning in 1840. In 1848, service was added between Liverpool and New York. The Cunard Line operates ocean liners between New York and Southampton to this day. Between 1840 and 1867, Cunard Line steamers served Halifax en route between Liverpool and Boston.
Messina, Italy, May 31, 1862, Heath & Co. London forwarder, London June 6, 1862 transit, 19 cent Great Britain debit to the United States, per Cunard Line China arrived New York June 18, 1862.
Manila, Philippines, October 5, 1864, per En Cano from Manila to Hong Kong, enters the mails Hong Kong October 12, 1864 (B62 backstamp) and Hong Kong PAID OC 12 / 64 (Type A CDS, latest known use), per P&O line Ganges departed Hong Kong October 15, arrived Galle October 31, transferred to Golconda, departed Galle November 1 arrived Suez November 17, transferred to Delta departed Alexandria November 19, arrived Marsaille November 25. “Overland via Marseilles” handstamp. Rated 2/1½ plus 1d to Hong Kong for total of 2/2½ fully paid to the United States. 5 cent credit to the United States. Per Cunard Line Canada, arrived Boston December 14, docketed receipt December 15, 1864.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, November 8, 1864, endorsed “per Oneida RMSS” via Royal Mail Steam Packet Oneida, departed Rio de Janiero November 9, arrived Southampton December 2, indistince date London transit, then per Cunard Cuba, which departed Liverpool December 3, 1864, arrived New York December 20, rated 45 cents, 40 cents GB debit to United States, due 95 cents US Notes.
Montevideo, Uruguay, April 29, 1866, per Royal Mail Steam Packet branch packet Arno, departed Montevideo April 29 connected to Royal Mail Steam Packet Rhone at Rio de Janeiro, May 9, arrived Southampton May 30, London May 31, 1866 transit, 21 cent debit applied in error and struck out with pen stroke, rerated 40 cent debit (24 cents Uruguay to Great Britain + 16 cents sea postage) per Cunard line Scotia departed Liverpool June 2, "NEW YORK BR. PKT. JUN 12 45 61 U.S. NOTES" depreciated currency exchange office marking.
Marseilles, France, November 14, 1866, Paris Nov. 16, 1866 transit, per Cunard Line Scotia arriving N.Y. BR. PKT., November 27, 1866, 15 OR U.S. NOTES 21" depreciated currency exchange office marking. Rated 15¢ cents due (21¢ in notes), 12 cent French debit to United States.
Hamburg, January 2, 1867, per Prussian Closed Mail, Aachen January 3, 1867, 5Cts. transit (2 silbergroshen), by closed mail to Great Britain, per Cunard line Asia via Queesnstown, arrived Boston Jan 20, 1868, then by closed bag to New York. "N.Y. BR. PKT. JAN 21 30 OR 39 U.S. NOTES" depreciated currency exchange office marking. Letter was probably intended to go by HAPAG Germania but that ship was stuck in ice in the Elbe river until January 8.
London, England, June 1, 1867, 19 cent Great Britain debit to the United States, per Cunard Line Persia departed Liverpool June 1, arrived New York June 13. "N.Y. BR. PKT. JUN 13 24 OR 32 U.S. NOTES" depreciated currency exchange office marking.
Buenos Aires, Argentina, May 14, 1870, per Royal Mail Steam Packet Douro departed Buenos Aires May 15, and arrived Southampton Jun 14, London June 14, 1870 transit marking, per Cunard Line Samaria, which departed Queenstown June 15, and arrived Boston June 27, forwarded by closed bag to New York arriving June 27, 26 cent Great Britain debit to United States, rated 28¢ due, converted to 31¢ depreciated currency.
Cunard Line From Halifax to Boston
St. Johns, Newfoundland, December 17, 1862, via Cunarld Line feeder route to Halifax then Cunard Line Europa to Boston. "BOSTON BR. PKT. DEC. 27 5" exchange office marking. Paid 4d sterling Saint Johns, Newfoundland to Boston, rated 5¢ due United States postage rate equal to the British Open Mail rate.
Arecibo, Puerto Rico, May 10, 1861, carried outside the mails to San Juan by Amell Julia & CA forwarder. "PAID AT SAN JUAN PORTO RICO" crowned circle, May 11, 1861, paid 1 shilling British sea postage per Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. Clyde to St. Thomas, May 14, 1861, transit then Cunard Merlin via Bermuda to Halifax, then via Cunard America to Boston. Boston, May 30, 1861 transit marking. Rated 5¢ due as unpaid letter arriving via Cunard line. Sismondo Cert.