Today in Postal History

  

German See Post to United States
May 5, 1909

This cover was posted at sea aboard a Hamburg American Line
steamship using the ship's cabin stationery.

It was postmarked by the German post office on board.
This was different than the usual practice of the mail
being held by the purser for posting on arrival and
receiving pacqubot treatment and a postmark where the letter entered the mail.

Under the treaty in effect at the time, the rate between
United States and Germany was the 2¢ first class rate.
The stamp is the 2¢ shield of 1903 (Scott 319).

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