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Incoming Mail England - London
Transatlantic closed mail via New York, 1861 - 1868

1861

l

Letters were sent in sealed bags by the regular Cunard steamers to New York. The bags were held by the New York
P.O. for the next available sailing ship bound for Bermuda. The service was started in August 1861, but was rarely used
because of the higher postage rates and the irregularity of the sailing ships. However, it survived until the start of the
New York to Bermuda, steamship service in September 1868.

Postage Rates: 1) Aug 1861-Mar 1863: 9d (5d to UK; 2d transfer charge to New York P.O.; 2d ro Bermuda, of which
ld went to the ship)
2) April 1863 - September 1868: ls3d (1 ld to U.K., other rates as before)
Insuffucuently prepaid letters were charged the shortage, plus a fine of 6d to 1863, or ls afterwards, divided equally
between Bermuda and the U.K.

Early date of use of the closed mail service. Per PERSIA from Liverpool 14 Sep, arrived New York 26 Sep., per Brig
PENGUIN from New York 3 Oct, arrived Bermuda c. 15 October.

Rate: 9d, but only 6d prepaid. H/S "insufficiently stamped'', with m/s "3d" (deficiency) and "half fine 3'', total "6'',
large "6" in black ink (due G.P.O., London). "2" in red pencil, (cedit to Bermuda). On arrival "6" crossed out and "9d"
added in blue pencil, which included Bermuda's share of the fine.

Only about 3 covers are known from this service.