The Ship Letter below from Oporto to Fox Brothers, Wellington via Falmouth in June 1835, caused some discussion about the postal rate.
I had difficulty reading the postal charge - it looks like "1/6" but can also be read as "2/6" if you imagine a "2" on its side.
My first thoughts were that as it went via Falmouth it would have gone by a packet ship. The rates for a packet from Lisbon would have been 1/7d or perhaps 2/6d to London, but there weren't any London marks (or additional charges to send it back to Wellington).
It was then pointed out that a standard 8d Ship Letter fee plus 10d in the General Post (for 120-170 miles from Falmouth to Wellington, Somerset) gives 1/6d. Bringing in the Packet rates was over complicating things !
The contents relate to eventually selling "Estaminas" - I think this was a form of worsted, or possibly twill.
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