Letter from New York 1903

    Hello @ all,
    Again I need a little help.
    This charming object, a letter sent from New York to Turku, Finland in 1903
    has not only the postal notes you might expect in red, but also an explanation on the reverse, apparently written and signed by the postmaster of Turku; the note says that the weight of the letter exceeds 15 grams and, as can be seen on the front, has been taxed accordinlgy in America.
    Now I wonder: the right one of the two stamps from New York, what does it say? It is very messy, but perhaps any of you are familiar with it?
    And: when were the T-stamps introduced?

    Thanking in advance, wishing all of you a very pleasant year 2008

    Pixie

    Hi Pixie,

    The right side should say 25 Centimes for the missing UPU-Rate, to my knowledge these hour glass cancels were introduced shortly after the USA joined the General Postal Union in 1875.

    Best regards,

    Lars

    Loesen 50 Penniä (what the postexpeditor wrote in blue)

    means

    50 Finish pennies more to pay.

    Kind regards from bayern klassisch