1859 (Jan. 3) United States to Büdesheim, Hesse. Orange buff cover bearing 10¢ green (32) and 12¢ black (36), tied by indistinct cds and red "N.York, Am. Pkt. 'Paid 7' Jan 8" credit exchange cds, carried by Havre Line Fulton from New York Jan. 8th to Southampton arriving Jan. 21st, red "Aachen, Franco 22/1" framed transit, German arrival backstamps; 10¢ stamp small tear, F.-V.F. and interesting accepted partial prepayment, with 1999 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

This cover was prepaid 22¢ for Bremen mails, but NGL Line Weser had suffered severe damage on its maiden voyage and could not sail on January 8th. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1859 (Jan. 8) New Orleans La. to Augsbourg, Bavaria. Blue printed circular bearing 1¢ blue (24) pair, s.e. at left, few tone spots, lightly cancelled, red French transit cds, blue crayon "6" due rating, a F.-V.F. use.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

1859 (Jan. 20) Economy, Ind. to Sulz, Switzerland. Cover bearing 5¢ red brown (28) and 10¢ green, type III (33) horizontal pair and single, all tied by two strikes of blue "Economy Ind. Jan 20" cds on 1859 cover to Sulz, Switzerland, red "New-York, Am. Pkt. Jan 29" exchange backstamp and matching red "12" credit credit h.s., carried by Inman Line City of Washington from New York Jan. 29th to Liverpool arriving Feb. 11th, red boxed "Aachen Franco" transit handstamp and magenta "fr 1" sgr credit, Basel (2.15) transit and Laufenburg (2.16) arrival cds, red crayon "3" kr due rating; 10¢ stamps small flaws, otherwise Very Fine use at the 35¢ Prussian Closed Mail rate.
Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1859 (Jan. 24) Washington D.C. to Spezia, Sardinia. Cover bearing 1¢ blue (24) vertical pair and 12¢ black (36) strip of three, each tied by "Washington D.C." cds, red "New-York, Br. Pkt. Jan 26" cds backstamp, carried by Cunard Line Niagara from Boston Jan. 26th to Liverpool arriving Feb. 7th; red Aachen Franco framed transit, red "Via Di Svizerra" and "Franca" handstamps, transit backstamps; 12¢ stamps affected from placement over edge of cover, some faults, Fine and scarce use paying the 38¢ rate via Prussian Closed Mail.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1859 (Feb. 7) Columbia Ill. to Gimmeldingen bei Neustadt an der Haardt, Bavaria. Light buff cover bearing 10¢ green (35), pair and single, tied by red "Columbia Ill. Feb 7" balloon-style cds, red "N.York, Am. Pkt. 'Paid 7' Feb 11" credit exchange cds, carried by Inman Line City of Baltimore from New York Feb. 11th to Queenstown arriving Feb. 22nd, partial red "Aachen, Franco" transit, magenta "30" cent restatement; slight overall wear, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

1859 (Mar. 29) Philadelphia Pa. to Oberschwörstadt, Baden. Cover bearing 5¢ red brown (28) and 10¢ green, type II (32), each tied by circular grid cancel, matching "Philadelphia Pa., Mar 10, 1859" octagon datestamp, red "N.York, Hamb. Pkt. 'Paid 17' Apr 1" credit exchange cds, carried by Hapag Line Borussia from New York Apr. 1st to Hamburg arriving Apr. 14th, backstamps include Hamburg (4.15) transit and Grennet (4.17) transits; cover repaired with stamps lifted and replaced, 10¢ light stain, Very Fine appearance and rare 5¢ red brown type I 1857 issue use.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

The sender of this cover was aware of the reduction in the Bremen rate six months earlier and wrote "Bremen Steamer, Paid 15 cts." at left. That steamer, "Weser", was damaged at sea and not scheduled to carry mail on its April 2nd 1859 sailing. Despite prepayment of only 15¢ the New York exchange office sent it as a fully prepaid 22¢ letter on the Hamburg packet. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

1859 (Jul. 2) Calcutta, India to Portsmouth, N.H. Blue folded letter bearing India ½a blue (11) strip of three, 1a brown (12) strip of four and 2a orange (15) strip of three; each tied by "B/1" octagon cancels, red "Calcutta, G.P.O., JL 2, 1859" origin backstamp and matching "India Paid" framed handstamp, red London Paid (8.11) transit cds, red crayon "5" and red ms. "1/4d" credit ratings, carried by Cunard Line America from Liverpool Aug. 13th to Boston arriving Aug. 27th, black "Boston Br. Pkt. '5' Aug 27" debit exchange cds; some edge wear, Very Fine and attractive transatlantic use from India.
Estimate; $400 - 600. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

1860 (Mar. 20) Valença, Portugal to Boston Mass. via New York. Gray folded letter sent unpaid endorsed "Via England", red London (3.5) transit backstamp and manuscript "24" cent debit to U.S., carried by Havre Line Fulton from Southampton Mar. 7th to New York arriving Mar. 20th, "New.York, Am. Packet, Mar 20" exchange cds with matching bold "45" cent due rating, Very Fine and scarce use from Portugal.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1860 (May 30) Terre Haute, Ind. to Hong Kong, forwarded to Chefoo, China. Cover with preprinted address to Lieut. R.L. Law on the USS Hartford, bearing 1¢ blue (24) sheet-margin pair and 3¢ dull red (26) tied by strikes of "Terre Haute Ind May 30" cds, red "New-York Br. Pkt. Jun 6" exchange cds, carried by Cunard Line Persia from New York Jun. 6th to Queenstown arriving Jun. 15th, blue London (6.16) transit backstamp, then carried by P&O Ripon from Southampton Jun. 20th to Alexandria arriving Jul. 4th, overland in Egypt from Alexandria to Suez, then P&O Candia from Suez Jul. 7th to Galle Jul. 23rd, then P&O Ganges from Galles Jul. 24th to Hong Kong arriving Aug. 11th with arrival backstamp, then forwarded to Chefoo where received August 21 (per docketing at left), manuscript "1/1" 1s1d due rating; couple minor short creases in stamps and small cover wrinkle at bottom of no significance, Very Fine and rare use, ex-Gibson, with 2015 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $2,500 - 3,500.

EXCEEDINGLY EARLY AND RARE NON-CAMPAIGN INCOMING MAIL TO CHEFOO, SENT AT THE 5¢ BRITISH OPEN MAIL RATE TO HONG KONG.

The USS "Hartford" was commissioned in 1858 and served as the flagship of the East India Squadron until being recalled for the Civil War where she served as Farragut's flagship in the West Gulf Blockading Squadron and was instrumental in retaking New Orleans. Est. $2,500-3,500 (Image)

Est. $2,500-3,500

1866 (Jun. 2) New Orleans La. to Berlin, Prussia. Yellow cover bearing 2¢ black (73), 12¢ black (69) pair and 30¢ orange (71), each cancelled by circle of wedges fancy cancel, matching "New Orleans La. Jun 2" cds at left, red "N.York, Br. Pkt '14 Paid' Jun 9" credit exchange cds, carried by Inman Line City of London from New York Jun. 9th to Queenstown arriving Jun. 20th, blue "Aachen, Franco 22/6" framed handstamp, blue Jun. 23rd arrival backstamp; reduced slightly at left barely into sender's corner card oval, small non-contemporary pen notation at lower right, Very Fine and attractive franking paying double the 28¢ Prussian Closed Mail rate, ex-Gliedman.
Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1860 (Jul. 5) Louisville Ky. to Bremen, Germany. Blue folded cover bearing 1¢ blue (24) horizontal pair, tied by blue "Louisville, Ky., Jul" cds, carried by NGL Line New York from New York July 7th to Southampton arriving Jul. 19th, Bremerhaven (7.26.60) arrival backstamp, blue ms. "4" due rating; bottom right corner fold, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1860 (Aug. 7) Portland Me. to St. Petersburg, Russia. Pierce correspondence cover bearing 1¢ blue (24), 12¢ black (36) and 24¢ gray lilac (37), tied together by three strikes of circular grid cancel, matching "Portland Me., Paid, Aug 7" cds, partial "Boston, Br. Pkt, Aug 8" exchange backstamp and red crayon "14" cent credit, carried by Cunard Line Canada from Boston Aug. 8th to Queenstown arriving Aug. 20th, red boxed "Aachen, Franco 23/8" transit and blue manuscript. "f3" sgr credit rating; barely reduced at top, 24¢ discolored and 1¢ with crease at top right, Very Fine appearance, ex-Gibson, Grunin and "J & J", with 2021 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

AN ATTRACTIVE AND SCARCE THREE-COLOR FRANKING PAYING THE 37¢ PRUSSIAN CLOSED MAIL RATE TO RUSSIA.

Josiah Pierce was Secretary of the U.S. Legation to Russia at St. Petersburg. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

1860 (Sep. 25) Union City, Ind. to Stuttgart, Wurttemberg. Orange cover bearing 3¢ dull red (26) and 10¢ green (33) tied by circular grid cancels, matching "Union City, Ind. Sep 25" cds, red "N.York, Brem. PKt. 'Paid 14' Sep. 29" credit exchange cds, carried by NGL Line Bremen from New York Sep. 29th to Bremerhaven arriving Oct. 14th, blue "America/über Bremen" two-line exchange and matching partial "Paid to Bremen" straightline; Frankfurt (10.16) and Oct. 17th arrival backstamps; faults and wear, Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1861 (Feb. 23) New York, N.Y. to Frankfurt, Germany. Blue tissue paper cover bearing 30¢ orange (38), vibrant color, tied by bold NYFM circular grid cancel, red "N.York, Brem. Pkt. 'Paid 24' Feb 23" credit exchange cds, carried as endorsed by NGL Line New York from New York Feb. 23rd to Southampton arriving Mar. 7th, transshipped to Bremen, sharp blue "America/über Bremen/Franco" three-line exchange; Frankfurt (3.11) and Mar. 12th arrival backstamps, Very Fine appearance, with clear 1981 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

The NGL Line "New York" arrived at Southampton and went into the docks for repairs. She did not sail for Bremen and the mails were sent on via another ship. Winter originally noted no eastbound mails were carried on this voyage, but update version of his book notes this to be false. This cover proves it. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1861 (May 12) Bucks, Ohio to Rohrdorf, Overamt Horb, Württemberg. Legal-size orange cover with manuscript "Bucks O, May 12" postmark and bearing 3¢ dull red, type IV (26A) block of eight, positions 1-4/11-14R10L, s.e. at left, bright color, choice centering for this difficult issue, tied by red "N. York Paid, Hamb. Pkt. 'Paid 10' May 18" credit exchange datestamp, carried by Hapag Line Hammonia from New York May 18th to Hamburg arriving Jun. 1st, Hamburg (6.2) arrival backstamp and well-struck "Part Paid" straightline, blue crayon "12" kr due rating, Stuttgart and Horb (6.4) backstamps; small cover imperfections, stamps with few slight flaws to be expected, Very Fine appearance.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.

A SCARCE AND DESIRABLE BLOCK OF EIGHT OF THE 1857 3-CENT TYPE IV USED ON A COVER TO GERMANY.

This exceedingly rare on-cover multiple of the 3¢ type IV is especially desirable because one can clearly see the identifying characteristics of the type, the interrupted framelines between stamps.

Bucks, Ohio accepted this letter as single-rate for 24¢ paid by a rare block of eight 3¢ Type IV. The New York Exchange Office found the letter required two rates (30¢). To avoid treating it as unpaid, New York sent it as "PART PAID" with the full double rate to Hamburg (20¢) and kept the extra 4¢ prepayment.

Rounding among the various currencies was imperfect. Had this letter been fully paid, the GAPU transit share would have been 10¢. It was not, so the GAPU double rate of 12 kr (only 8¢) applied. Est. $2,000-3,000 (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000

1861 (Jun. 8) Spanish Flat Cal. to Biasca, Switzerland. Yellow cover bearing 10¢ green (35) strip of three, each cancelled and tied by three strikes of bold "Paid 10" in circle, matching "Spanish Flat, Cal. Jun '8' " balloon-style cds (Williams ELD-3780), red "N.York, Brem. Pk. 'Paid' Jul 6" exchange cds and magenta "16" cent credit rating, carried by NGL Line Bremen from New York Jul. 6th to Bremerhaven arriving Jul. 19th, blue America/über Bremen/Franco" three-line handstamp, reverse transits include Frankfurt (7.21) and Basel (7.22); small stamp flaws and edge cosmetically improved, Very Fine and attractive use.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

The Prussian Closed Mail rate to Switzerland was 35¢ since this was only prepaid 30¢ it was accepted and rerouted via Bremen mails at the 19¢ treaty rate. It could also have been sent by PCM for Aachen marked "Paid to Border". Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1861 (Sep. 11) Goshen, Indiana to Christianstad, Sweden. Orange buff cover with "Goshen, Ind. Sep 11, 1861" cds and manuscript "33" rating, parrtial "New-York, Am. Pkt. '23' Sep 14" debit exchange cds, carried by Havre Line Arago from New York Sep. 14th to Southampton arriving Sep. 27th, red Aachen (9.28) arrival backstamp and blue ms. "13" sgr. due rating, Calmar (10.2) arrival cds, Very Fine and scarce Prussian Closed Mail use to Sweden.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

1861 (Nov. 13) Kensington Pa. to Ebingen, Württemberg. All-over blue "Beckhaus & Allgaier Coach Builders" shaded building ad cover bearing 5¢ brown yellow (67a) and 10¢ green (68), each cancelled by bold circular grid, partial red-orange "Kensington Pa., Nov. 13" cds, partial red "N.York, Hamb. Pkt. 'Paid 10' 16 Nov" credit exchange cds, carried by Hapag Borussia from New York Nov. 16th to Hamburg arriving Dec. 2nd, Hamburg (12.3) oval transit and Ebingen (12.4) arrival cds; 10¢ top corner flaws and some edge wear, otherwise Very Fine and attractive 5¢ brown yellow 1861 issue use, with 2008 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1862 (Mar. 29) New York, N.Y. to Bremen. Buff cover bearing 10¢ green (68) tied by red NYFM grid and matching "N. York Brem. Pkt. 'Paid 7' Mar 29" credit exchange cds, carried as endorsed by NGL Line Hansa from New York Mar. 29th to Bremen arriving Apr. 14th; cover tear on back, slightly reduced at left, Very Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

1863 (Oct 17) New York, N.Y. to Heidelburg, Germany. Civil War Eagle and Shield Patriotic envelope with "N.York, Hamb. Pkt. '3' Oct 17" debit exchange cds, carried by HAPAG Saxonia from New York Oct. 17th to Hamburg arriving Oct. 31st, Hamburg (10.31) arrival backstamp with blue ms. "22" and blue "4½ Sgr. / 6 Xr." due handstamps, black "22" handstamp, reverse with Frankfurt (11.2) and Heidelburg (11.2) arrival backstamp; cover wear and tear at left, Fine and scarce Civil War patriotic transatlantic use.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

Hamburg Thurn & Taxis post office marked 22 kreuzer due in Württemberg, and a two part handstamp in blue which showed 4½ silbergroschen (16 kreuzer) due for the international fee plus 6 kreuzer transit fee to Württemberg. Brackenheim added 2 kreuzer local fee for a total postage due of 24 kreuzer. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1863 (Oct. 17) New York, N.Y. to Berlin, Prussia. Cover with black "N. York Hamb. Pkt. '3' Oct 17" debit exchange cds, carried by Hapag Line Saxonia from New York Oct. 17th to Hamburg arriving Oct. 31st, Hamburg (10.31) backstamp and blue "6½" debit handstamp, Berlin (11.1) arrival backstamp and blue crayon "6½" due restated, ex-Winter.
Estimate; $150 - 200.

In late September 1863, the U.S. reduced its share of the international rate from 5¢ to 3¢ thus allowing Hamburg to renew its contract with the steamship line at a more favorable arrangement. The Prussian post office in Hamburg marked the blue "6½" handstamp to show the total postage due in Prussian currency. Later, a blue manuscript marking of the same value was marked for the postage due, probably at Berlin. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

1863 (Dec. 8) Minnesota to France. Indistinct cds and matching four-ring target cancel tie 30¢ orange (71), rich shade, on cover to France, mistaken for Germany and sent in Prussian Closed Mail with bold red "Boston. Am. Pkt. '7 Paid' Dec 12" credit exchange cds, carried by Inman Line City of New York from New York Dec. 12th to Queenstown arriving Dec. 21st, red "Aachen, Franco 21/12" framed exchange, error discovered and sent back on Cunard Line Africa from Liverpool Dec. 26th to Boston Jan. 9th, red "Boston 'Paid 24' Jan 11" credit exchange cds, carried on Cunard Line Persia from New York Jan. 13th to Queenstown arriving Jan. 23rd, red Calais (1.23) entry cds and small "PD" framed handstamp, arrival backstamps; reduced slightly at right, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1864 (Aug. 4) Halifax, Nova Scotia to Portland, Me. via Boston. Red "Halifax, Nova Scotia, Paid, Aug 4, 1864" tombstone postmark and matching "CTS/10" credit handstamp on Nova Scotia Railway corner card cover signed by "S. Flemin", carried by Cunard Line to Boston, bold red "Boston. Br. Pkt. '48 Paid' Aug 6" credit exchange cds, remailed back to Boston with "Portland Me., Aug 15, 1864" cds and matching circular grid cancels on 2¢ black (73) horizontal pair with left guilde-line s.e.; top edge flaws, F.-V.F. and unusual use.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

Sir Sanford Fleming was a pioneer Canadian Railway engineer, who also designed the first Canadian stamp, the 3d beaver of 1851. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1864 (Oct. 3) Strawberry Valley, Cal. to Wurttemberg, Germany via HAPAG Interrupted Voyage. Orange cover bearing 3¢ rose (65) and 12¢ black (69), cancelled by targets, matching partial "Strawberry Valley, Cak. Oct 3" cds, red "New York 'Paid 12' Oct 15" credit exchange cds, carried by HAPAG Line Saxonia from New York Oct. 15th to Southampton arriving Nov. 10th (two weeks late badly damaged by a gale), mails transferred to Bavaria sailing for Hamburg Nov. 10th with Saxonia's mail and passengers, reverse transits include Hamburg (11.12), Stuttgart (11.13) and Spaichingen (11.16) arrival cds, Very Fine and scarce interrupted HAPAG voyage.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1865 (c., Dec. 16) New York N.Y. to Vienna, Austria. Orange buff newspaper wrapper endorsed "Germany via Bremen", bearing 3¢ rose (65) tied by cross-roads cancel and New York large "Paid All" straightline applied, carried by NGL Line Bremen from New York Dec. 16th to Bremerhaven arriving Dec. 29th, partial blue "Bremen Franco" transit also ties 3¢ red crayon "2" kreuzer due, Vienna (1.2) arrival backstamps; cover tears and creases, Fine and scarce 3¢ printed matter use.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

Newspapers sent by either the Bremen or Hamburg Lines required 3¢ prepayment, which was to fully pay the newspaper to another part of the German-Austrian Postal Union. Apparently, the Austrians collected an additional 2 kreuzer local charge. Large 43x9 mm. PAID ALL applied at New York. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400