24, 1857 1c Blue, Type V, four singles (plus one stamp added) along with five 1857 3c Dull red Type III (26) all tied by grids on 10c Green Nesbitt envelope (U18) addressed to Pesth (Hungary) Austria, manuscript "via England," accompanying "Los Angeles Cal. Jan 7" (1859) date stamp, red "N. York Am. Pkt. Paid 7" credit date stamp and framed "Aachen 27.2 Franco" transit, backstamped Pesth 1/3, stamps with some minor/small faults (primarily perf related including many all or partially trimmed), envelope opened at top with most of backflap missing, a Fine and rare use

The rate to Austria via Prussian Closed Mail was 30c. At some point, one of the 1c stamps became detached from the envelope and one that did not originate was added.

CV. 250

29, 1859 5c Brown, Type I, tied with 1857 1c Blue, Type V (24) on small envelope addressed to the USS Richmond at Spezia, Sardinia by "Philadelphia May 28 1861" octagonal date stamp, boxed "GB/ 1F60c" accountancy handstamp, red London "Paid" transit cancel (applied in error), French "Angl. Amb Calais D 18 Juin 61" transit cancel, assorted French and Italian transit/ arrival backstamps (arriving Spezia 21 June), 1c light corner creases at bottom, roughly opened at top (evident from back with flap tears) and some light edge wrinkling/ wear, Fine and rare use of the 1c to pay carrier fee; short note from Ezra Cole commenting on the cover accompanies

USS Richmond was a wooden steam sloop in the US Navy during the Civil War, departing Virginia 13 October 1860 after commissioning for the Mediterranean. She returned to the US in July of 1861 and immediately began Civil War service, starting in the Caribbean. Later service included action in the Gulf including the capture of New Orleans plus the Vicksburg and Mobile Bay (as part of Adm. Farragut's squadron) campaigns. The ship continued service after the Civil War, primarily in the Pacific where she served as flagship of the Asiatic Fleet from 1879-83.

Provenance: Blake Myers (R.A. Siegel Sale 875, 2004)

CV. 500