Postal Rate Question San Francisco To Hannover April1866

i just won a bid on a cover from San Francisco to Hannover (german state) I think april 1866

but it has 43 cents postage on it, would that be right?

it also states: via panama

will post pictures once it arrives.

any help appreciated, stamp smarter didn't help for this one

I know the cover. Did you ask for a scan of the backside?

Was it the Jasper bid(which I will not mention), or did you have to go higher?

kind regards, Johan.

the jasper bid was mine, but it went higher off line to cut a deal

anything special on backside? I didn't ask

In 1866, the default mail route from San Francisco was overland mail daily to New York. However a lot of foreign mail was endorsed to go via Panama. Same rates applied

In April 1866 and in effect till Jan 1868 the rates available to Hanover from San Francisco were:

1. Via British open mail 21c by Am Packet until January 1868 (rarely used)
2. Prussian Closed Mail 28c
3. French mail rate 21c/42c by weight quarter/half ounce
4. Bremen/Hamburg Mail 15c
Jan 1868 rates became 10c or 15c until July 1870

Richard, thank you, I am now guessing french overpaid by 1

In my experience, I have seen more covers with stamp replaced with wrong stamps than I have overpayments.

Easy to tell if you advise the other markings, or manuscript sender directives, on the cover. If French mail, it should have a French entry datestamp. If it has a boxed Aachen Franco mark, it is Prussian Closed Mail, or Bremen / Hamburg the a backstamp of one of those two offices.

Also, the New York exchange office marking would have different numerals that make a determination easy. That is the only way to verify correct rate or correct franking. In general,overpayments require careful examination.

Typical markings associated with the various services may be seen on the exhibit frame shown on my website here:
https://www.rfrajola.com/AGX/agx4.htm

hi richard,

while doing some research I came across this site, it was very helpful

as soon as I have it in hand I will post and we can discuss before I send of for cert

closed this one and opened a new one with pictures