Russia, 1839 (Jan.), John Forsyth (Secretary of State), on folded letter cover from Chargé William Chew, St. Petersburg, Russia, to Germantown, PA, sent via diplomatic pouch from St. Petersburg, annotation center left reading "Ship Susquehanna sailed 20th under envelope to Thompson Bonar & Co."; received Washington, DC, where Forsyth signed, a red Feb. 14 Washington, DC dater and straightline "Free" (?) applied, and forwarded to Germantown, arrival docketed 18 Feb. 1839; staining and several heavy folds (starting to weaken paper), Fine to Very Fine, a very early example of diplomatic pouch mail from St. Petersburg, and an exceptional free frank,
William White Chew (1803-51) served in St. Petersburg from July 13, 1836 to Oct. 21, 1841, first as Secretary to the American Legation under Chargé George M. Dallas, succeeding Dallas upon his return to the US. Suggested Bid $250-350 (Image)
Suggested Bid $250-350
Opening US$ 150.00
Sold...US$ 150.00
Closed..Jun-07-2020, 21:00:00 EST
Sold For 150
Sale No: 5103
Lot No: 7683
Symbol:
Cat No: July
Russia, 1840 (July), Diplomatic cover to William Chew, US Chargé d'Affaires at St. Petersburg, exceptionally fresh envelope addresses to "Monsieur Schew", his title given both in French and, at bottom, in Russian; docketed "Recd 8/20 July, 1840" (both Old Style and New Style dates); no indication of sender or origin (consignor notes "from the Russian Foreign Ministry"); slight damage to back on opening and removal of wax seal, still Very Fine,
William White Chew (1803-51) served in St. Petersburg from July 13, 1836 to Oct. 21, 1841, first as Secretary to the American Legation under Chargé George M. Dallas, succeeding Dallas upon his return to the US. Suggested Bid $200-300 (Image)
