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"Britannia" Return Maiden Voyage, Boston Aug. 1st - Liverpool Aug. 14th 1840. Light blue folded letter endorsed "Per Steamer 'Britannia' Via Boston Halifax N.S. & Liverpool", blue "Philada Pa. Jul 28" cds and matching "Paid" framed handstamp with red manuscript "18¾" rating to Boston to be put on the Britannia for Liverpool arriving August 14th 1840, Liverpool "1/-" due handstamp for 1s packet postage, Very Fine and choice. Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.
ONE OF THE FINEST OF ONLY A FEW RECORDED LETTERS CARRIED ON THE RETURN MAIDEN CONTRACT VOYAGE OF THE CUNARD LINE BRITANNIA.
July 4, 1840, the "Britannia", first of four steamships designed especially for North Atlantic service, departed Liverpool. This sailing initiated a contract between the British government and Samuel Cunard. These ships proved steamers could provide more reliable service than sailing packets, especially on westerly crossings. As this line carried more fine freight and specie, sailing packets carried less and less valuable and profitable cargo. The British and North American Royal Mail Steam Packet Company became the Cunard Line. The Britannia left Boston on August 1st to make her maiden return voyage to Liverpool carrying the first contract mails from America to Britain. Est. $1,500-2,000 (Image)
Est. $1,500-2,000
Opening US$ 1,200.00
Sold...US$ 1,200.00
Closed..Dec-13-2019, 13:15:59 EST
Sold For 1200
Sale No: 91
Lot No: 1498
Symbol:
"British Queen" Maiden Return Voyage, New York Aug. 1st - Portsmouth Aug. 15th 1839. Jul. 30th folded cover from Baltimore to London, indistinct red "Baltimore Md. Jul 31" and matching "Paid" straightline with red manuscript "18¾" for inland postage to New York and "25" for freight money fee, red "New-York, Aug 1" cds, "Portsmouth, Ship Letter" framed handstamp and manuscript "1/4" due rating for 8d incoming ship fee plus 8d inland postage; slight fold wear and toning, F.-V.F. Estimate; $300 - 400.
The "British Queen" was a vessel of the British & American Steam Navigation Company, which also owned the "Sirius" and the "President". Est. $300-400 (Image)
Est. $300-400
Opening US$ 150.00
Closed..Dec-13-2019, 13:16:17 EST
Sold For 0
Sale No: 91
Lot No: 1499
Symbol:
"British Queen" Maiden Voyage, Portsmouth July 12th - New York Jul. 28th 1839. Jul. 4th 1839 gray folded letter from Manchester, England to Lowell Mass., red "Manchester, JY 4, 1839" double-arc backstamp and matching "Paid at Manchester" circular handstamp with manuscript "3/-" due rating, endorsed "p Great Western Steamer" and "paid to Bristol" but redirected, red "New-York 'Ship' Jul 28" cds with "58¼" rating for three-times 18¾¢ plus 2¢ ship fee, F.-V.F. Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)
Est. $500-750
Opening US$ 250.00
Closed..Dec-13-2019, 13:16:32 EST
Sold For 0
Sale No: 91
Lot No: 1500
Symbol:
"British Queen" Portsmouth Jul. 1st - New York Jul. 18th 1840. Jun. 19th 1840 folded letter from Newry, Northern Ireland to Staten Island N.Y. forwarded to St. Catherines, Canada, red "Newry, JU 19, 1840" arc cds and red manuscript "8d" prepaid rating for 8d ship letter rate and matching "p ship from Liverpool" endorsement, red London Paid (6.20) transit and red "Ship-Letter, Liverpool, 12 JU 12, 1840" rimless backstamp, partial New York N.Y. arrival cds and blue manuscript "8" cents due rating for 6¢ ship letter fee plus 2¢ carrier fee, forwarded with blue manuscript "North Shore NY, Augst-18th" postmark and matching "forwd" with manuscript "25" cent rating to St. Catherines, Canada totaled to "33" debit, sharp "Queenston U.C., Aug 25, 1840" cds and "1.8" plus "4½" Canadian inland totaled to "2/0½" total due, Very Fine and interesting pioneer steamship forwarded use. Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)
Est. $300-400
Opening US$ 150.00
Closed..Dec-13-2019, 13:16:43 EST
Sold For 0
Sale No: 91
Lot No: 1501
Symbol:
"Great Britain" Final Voyage, Liverpool July 7th - New York July 21st 1846. Folded July 3rd folded letter from Liverpool to Boston endorsed "pr. G' Britain", prepaid ship fee in Liverpool indicated by red manuscript "8" rating, red "New York 'Ship 7cts' " cds for 5¢ inland postage plus 2¢ ship fee; light vertical file fold, clean and Very Fine,ex-Winter. Estimate; $300 - 400.
Letter carried on the fourth and last voyage of the "Great Britain" to New York before she ran hard aground on the sandy beach of Dundrum Bay near Belfast in September 1846. Est. $300-400 (Image)
Est. $300-400
Opening US$ 160.00
Sold...US$ 160.00
Closed..Dec-13-2019, 13:16:55 EST
Sold For 160
Sale No: 91
Lot No: 1502
Symbol:
"Great Britain" Maiden Voyage, Liverpool Jul. 26th - New York Aug. 11st 1845. Folded letter from London, England to Wilmington Del., endorsed "Per Steamer Great Britain from Liverpool" at top left, red London "Paid" (7.24) cds and matching "Paid Ship Letter, London, 24 JY 24, 1845" rimless oval with red manuscript "1/" prepaid rating, red "New York 'Ship 7cts' Aug 11" integral-due cds for 5¢ inland plus 2¢ ship fee, red Wilmington (8.12) arrival backstamp; couple stain spots, F.-V.F. Estimate; $400 - 600. Est. $400-600 (Image)
Est. $400-600
Opening US$ 200.00
Closed..Dec-13-2019, 13:17:09 EST
Sold For 0
Sale No: 91
Lot No: 1503
Symbol:
"Great Western" Liverpool October 12th - New York October 26th 1844. Oct. 1st folded letter from Paris, France to New York with red "T.P./G Surrey S." postmark and red manuscript "Pd 1 0" prepaid rating for the 8d ship fee plus 2d Two Penny Post fee, reverse with red "Paid Ship Letter - London, 8 OC 8, 1844" rimless postmark and additional Paid tombstone, New York manuscript "6" due rating for 6¢ ship fee, Letter carrier manuscript "Chged 8 cts" rating for 6¢ ship fee plus 2¢ carrier fee, Very Fine and scarce "Great Western" use showing New York carrier fee,ex-Winter. Estimate; $400 - 600.
Letter carried privately to London where it was posted in the Two Penny Post Office on Great Surrey Street. The prepayment in London is shown in the upper left in red pen as "10" pence. New York post office marked the letter for 6¢ postage due, the incoming ship letter rate to the port. A New York letter carrier marked "chged 8 cts" in pen, showing that an additional fee of 2¢ for carrier delivery service was charged on the letter. Carrier collect fees were seldom marked on letters and are scarce to find. Est. $400-600 (Image)
Est. $400-600
Opening US$ 210.00
Sold...US$ 210.00
Closed..Dec-13-2019, 13:17:25 EST
Sold For 210
Sale No: 91
Lot No: 1504
Symbol:
"Great Western" Maiden Return Voyage, New York May 7th - Bristol May 22nd 1838. May 6th folded letter from Philadelphia Pa. to Sheffield, England with blue "Philadelphia, Pa. May 6" cds and matching "Paid" framed handstamp with manuscript "25" cent prepaid rating, endorsed "Per Great Western, 7th May 1838" at bottom left and "Single Sheet, with Sample Enclosed" at top, red "New-York, May 7" transit cds, "Bristol Ship-Letter" stepped handstamp and "4/6" 4s6d due rating for three-times 8d ship letter fee and 10d inland for 54d, F.-V.F. and rare. Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000. Est. $1,500-2,000 (Image)
Est. $1,500-2,000
Opening US$ 1,200.00
Sold...US$ 1,200.00
Closed..Dec-13-2019, 13:18:02 EST
Sold For 1200
Sale No: 91
Lot No: 1505
Symbol:
"Great Western" New York Aug. 1st - Bristol Aug. 13th 1839. Folded letter with red "Montreal L.C. JY 29, 1839" double-circle origin cds and matching "Paid" handstamps, magenta manuscript "4½" cdy for Canadian inland and "18¾" cents for postage to N.Y., red "New-York, Aug 1" cds, neat "Bristol / Ship Letter" handstamp with manuscript "1/5" due 1s5d rating for 8d ship fee plus 9d inland postage, red London (8.15) arrival backstamp; horizontal fold, Very Fine. Estimate; $300 - 400.
Montreal did not mark freight money fees on letters. Est. $300-400 (Image)
Est. $300-400
Opening US$ 160.00
Sold...US$ 160.00
Closed..Dec-13-2019, 13:18:29 EST
Sold For 160
Sale No: 91
Lot No: 1506
Symbol:
"Great Western" New York Jun. 13th - Bristol Jun. 27th 1839. Jun. 7th folded letter from Charleston S.C. to London, England with black "Herckenrath Lowndes & Co." oval handstamp (Charleston forwarders) used as corner card and red "Charleston S.C. Jun 7" cds and matching "Paid" straightline with manuscript "25" cent Freight Money steamship fee plus "25" cent inland postage ratings, red "New-York Jun 11" cds, two-line "Bristol / Ship Letter" handstamp and manuscript "2/10" 2s10d due rating, red London (6.28) arrival backstamp, Very Fine. Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)
Est. $150-200
Opening US$ 80.00
Closed..Dec-13-2019, 13:18:50 EST
Sold For 0
Sale No: 91
Lot No: 1507
Symbol:
"Great Western" New York May 9th - Bristol May 23rd 1840. Folded May 4th letter from Charleston, S.C. to Guebwiller, France, carried privately to New York where red "De Rham & Moore" forwarders oval applied on back and freight money letter fee paid (not shown), red "Bristol/Ship Letter" handstamp and "8" pence rating for incoming ship letter fee, London "1/6" 1s6d manuscript debit, French "38" décimes due rating from addressee, Very Fine,ex-Winter. Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)
Est. $200-300
Opening US$ 100.00
Closed..Dec-13-2019, 13:19:05 EST
Sold For 0
Sale No: 91
Lot No: 1508
Symbol:
"Great Western" New York November 23rd - Bristol December 7th 1838. Nov. 22nd folded letter datelined from New York to Madeira via London, "Bristol, Ship-Letter" framed handstamp with manuscript "1/5" due rating for 8d ship letter fee plus 9d inland, red London (12.8) arrival backstamps including Penny Post framed postmarks, remailed by forwarder with London (1.2) backstamp and red manuscript "2/7" 2s7d rating to Madeira, manuscript "160" reis due rating, docketed received Jan. 24th, Very Fine and scarce destination. Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)
Est. $200-300
Opening US$ 100.00
Closed..Dec-13-2019, 13:19:16 EST
Sold For 0
Sale No: 91
Lot No: 1509
Symbol:
"President" Maiden Return Voyage, New York September 1st - Liverpool September 17th 1840. Docketed Sep. 1, 1840 gray folded cover endorsed "Steamer President, Sept. 1." at top left, bold "Liverpool / Ship Letter" two-line backstamp and manuscript "8" pence due rating for 8¢ ship letter fee, partial red London arrival backstamp; some file fold toning, F.-V.F. Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)
Est. $300-400
Opening US$ 160.00
Sold...US$ 160.00
Closed..Dec-13-2019, 13:19:32 EST
Sold For 160
Sale No: 91
Lot No: 1510
Symbol:
"President" Maiden Voyage, Liverpool Aug. 1st to New York arriving Aug. 17th. Jul. 28th 1840 folded letter from Glasgow, Scotland to Salem, N.Y. with red "Glasgow, Paid, Jy 28, 1840" boxed datestamp and red manuscript "8d" prepaid ship rating, reverse choice red strike of crowned "Ship Letter / 30 JY 1840 /Liverpool" handstamp, red "New-York, Ship, Aug 13" cds and manuscript "20½" cents due rating for 18½¢ inland plus 2¢ ship fee, ex-Pacetti. Estimate; $400 - 600.
A SCARCE USE CARRIED ON THE MAIDEN VOYAGE OF THE PIONEER STEAMSHIP "PRESIDENT".
The "President" of 2,366 tons was built at Carling & Young's London yard in 1840 for The British and American Steam Navigation Company. Left from London on her maiden voyage to New York on the 1st August 1840 arriving on the 18th. On the fourth return voyage of the "President" from New York she was lost without trace on the 11th March 1841 with the loss of 136 lives. This would bankrupt the British and American Steam Navigation Co. Est. $400-600 (Image)
Est. $400-600
Opening US$ 200.00
Sold...US$ 200.00
Closed..Dec-13-2019, 13:19:54 EST
Sold For 200
Sale No: 91
Lot No: 1511
Symbol:
"President" Maiden Voyage, Liverpool August 1st - New York August 17th 1840. Datelined Jul. 31st 1840 folded letter and printed circular from Liverpool to New York, endorsed "P President" at top left, red London "Paid Ship Letter, Liverpool, 31 JY 31, 1840" crown postmark with red manuscript "2/8" pence rating for a quadruple-rate ship letter of 1½-2 oz., New York manuscript "6" cents due rating, Very Fine. Estimate; $500 - 750.
The "President" was a vessel of the British & American Steam Navigation Company, which also owned the "Sirius" and the "British Queen". She was lost without a trace on her third eastbound sailing. Est. $500-750 (Image)
Est. $500-750
Opening US$ 250.00
Sold...US$ 250.00
Closed..Dec-13-2019, 13:20:05 EST
Sold For 250
Sale No: 91
Lot No: 1512
Symbol:
"Royal William" Last Voyage, New York Jan. 16th - Liverpool Feb. 3rd 1839. Folded letter with red "Baltimore Md. Jan 13" cds and matching "Paid" handstamp, manuscript "Ship 25" freight money fee and "18¾" for 18¾¢ inland postage to N.Y., red "New-York, Jan 15" cds, "Liverpool / Ship Letter" two-line backstamp and manuscript "1/7" due rating for 8d ship letter fee plus 11d inland postage, red London (2.4) arrival backstamp, a Very Fine freight money cover. Estimate; $200 - 300.
Baltimore used "ship" designation on early freight money letters. Est. $200-300 (Image)
Est. $200-300
Opening US$ 100.00
Sold...US$ 100.00
Closed..Dec-13-2019, 13:20:18 EST
Sold For 100
Sale No: 91
Lot No: 1513
Symbol:
"Royal William" Maiden Return Voyage, New York August 4th - Liverpool August 19th 1838. Gray Aug. 4, 1838 folded letter from New York to London endorsed "pr. Steam Ship, Royal William", "Ship Letter, Liverpool" framed backstamp and manuscript "1/7" due rating for 8d ship fee plus 11d inland postage, red London (8.21) arrival backstamp, Very Fine. Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)
Est. $300-400
Opening US$ 150.00
Sold...US$ 150.00
Closed..Dec-13-2019, 13:20:32 EST
Sold For 150
Sale No: 91
Lot No: 1514
Symbol:
"Sirius" Final Return Voyage, New York Jul. 1st - Plymouth Jul. 16th, 1838. Folded letter datelined "Philadelphia June 4th 1838" to London, England, endorsed "pr Packet Monongahela" at bottom left crossed out and updated to "Steamship - Sirius" at bottom left, carried to ship's agent in New York, manuscript "Paid 25" freight money fee at top right, red "Ship Letter, Plymouth" framed backstamp and manuscript "1/7" due rating for 8d ship letter fee plus 11d inland postage, red London (7.18) backstamp and matching "G.P." handstamp (Willocks & Jay L682) applied by GPO indicating penny post charge due; edge wear, Very Fine. Estimate; $300 - 400.
The June 25, 1838 New York Commercial Advertiser contained an advertisement "Letters received on board will be charged 25¢ per single letter, large letters and parcels in proportion." This was the birth of the Freight Money charge for the service provided by steamships. This fee remained in effect until the first voyage of an American owned steamship departing New York on June 1, 1847. Est. $300-400 (Image)
Est. $300-400
Opening US$ 375.00
Sold...US$ 475.00
Closed..Dec-13-2019, 13:21:35 EST
Sold For 475
Sale No: 91
Lot No: 1515
Symbol:
"Sirius" Maiden Return Voyage, New York May 1st - Falmouth May 18th 1838. Folded letter datelined "New York 30th April 1838" to Sheffield, England endorsed "Per Steamer Ship 'Sirius' 1st May" at top, red "Falmouth / Ship Letter" framed handstamp on flap and manuscript "1/9" for 8d ship letter rate plus 1s1d inland to Sheffield, Very Fine, Atlantic transit of 17 days. Estimate; $750 - 1,000.
"Sirius" made only two roundtrip transatlantic sailings for the British and American Steam Navigation Company. The company chartered the Irish Sea steamer from the St. George Steam Packet Company in order to beat the "Great Western" for the first transatlantic steamship voyage. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)
