Samoa, 1887, 6d Brown Lake, Perf 12x11½. Tied by blue "Apia, Samoa, Jan 3" cds on 1889 cover to Philadelphia, Pa., with purple "U.S.S., Nipsic" oval corner card and manuscript "Apia, Island of Upolu, Samoan Islands" origin and "Ship Letter" endorsement, in conjunction with U.S. 1887, 2¢ green, strip of three and two singles affixed over portions of Apia postmark and canceled by waffle grid cancels, reverse with "San Francisco, Paid All, Jan 19" transit and receiving cds's; small cover corner tear at top left, Very Fine, one of three known ship letter combination covers known originating from the U.S.S. Nipsic (Odenweller 20). Scott No. U.S. 213. SG No. 31  Estimate $1,000 - 1,500. The Nipsic launched in 1863, left Callao, Peru on September 23, 1888 for duty as station ship in Apia Harbor, Samoa. It was caught in the March 15, 1889 hurricane and was badly damaged. $0 (Image)

Samoa, 1887, 6d Brown Lake, Perf 12x11½. Tied by blue "Apia, Samoa, Nov 3" cds on fresh ca. 1887 cover to San Francisco, Cal. addressed in the hand of Vice Consul Blacklock, in conjunction with U.S. 1882, 5¢ yellow brown tied by "San Francisco, Cal., Stm. Ship, Nov 27" cds; 6d stamp with trivial nibbed corner at bottom left, Very Fine, an attractive and early combination cover (Odenweller 6). Scott No. U.S. 205. SG No. 31  Estimate $500 - 750. $0 (Image)

Samoa, 1887, 6d Brown Lake, Perf 12x11½. Single tied by blue "Apia, Samoa, Mar 27" type 2 cds on 1887 lined lined cover to U.S. Despatch Agent Cooper in San Francisco, "United States Consulate General, at Apia, Samoa" corner card and wax seal on reverse; cover slightly reduced at right, Very Fine, a late 6d rate and early type 2 postmark usage (Odenweller 12). Scott No. 17. SG No. 31  Estimate $300 - 400. $0 (Image)

Samoa, 1887, 6d Brown Lake, Perf 12x11½. Tied by blue "Apia, Samoa, Aug 17" cds on 1888 blue lined lined cover to the U.S. Despatch Agent Cooper in San Francisco, with "United States Consulate General, at Apia, Samoa" with manuscript in the style of vice consul Blacklock; cover corner bends at right, Very Fine (Odenweller 290). SG No. 31  Estimate $300 - 400. $0 (Image)

Samoa, 1887, 6d Brown Lake, Perf 12x11½. Faint facial scuff, tied by blue "Apia, Samoa, Jan 3" cds on 1889 blue lined lined cover to the General Post Office in San Francisco, "United States Consulate General, at Apia, Samoa" imprint with manuscript in the style of vice consul Blacklock, F.-V.F (Odenweller 21). SG No. 31  Estimate $200 - 300. $0 (Image)

Samoa, 1887, 6d Brown Lake, Perf 12x11½. Tied by neat blue "Apia, Samoa, Nov 8" cds on 1888 cover to the postmaster in San Francisco, written in the hand Apia postmaster Davis, second strike of postmark on reverse, Very Fine (Odenweller 279). SG No. 31  Estimate $150 - 200. $0 (Image)