1840 (Feb. 17) Canton, China to Philadelphia Pa. Docketed folded letter from Russell & Co. endorsed "via Manila", carried privately via Manila, flap with red "Forwarded by Russell & Sturgis, Manilla" lined forwarder's oval, then by private ship to London arriving Sep. 17th, London red "Paid, 17 SP 17, 1840" Maltese cross datestamp and red manuscript "1/-" prepaid packet rating, carried as endorsed by Cunard Line Caledonia from Liverpool Sep. 19th to Boston arriving Oct. 3rd, red "Boston Ms., Ship, Oct 3" cds and manuscript "20¾" due rating for 18¾¢ inland plus 2¢ ship fee, Very Fine.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.

A REMARKABLE USE FROM CHINA VIA THE PHILIPPINES CARRIED ON THE MAIDEN VOYAGE OF THE CUNARD LINE "CALEDONIA".

Advent of British Contract Steamship Service

Cunard was awarded a seven year contract to convey mails by steamship between Liverpool, Halifax and Boston, beginning on 1 July 1840. Twice-monthly sailings were required. This contract drove the Great Western Steamship Company out of business, and ensured British dominance of scheduled transatlantic mail service by steamship for most of the decade.

When the Cunard Line began steam service to Boston in 1840, delays in Philadelphia's British mails had shrunk dramatically. New York was less than a day away, Boston only two days. Est. $2,000-3,000 (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000

1851 (Jan. 22) Manila, Philippines to Philadelphia Pa. Datelined folded letter with "Forwarded by A.L. Johnston & Co., Singapore" oval backstamp, sent by British mails, carried by P&O Pekin from Singapore to Galle arriving Feb. 15th, then P&O Hindostan to Suez, P&O Ripon to Malta arriving Mar. 14th, then Admiralty packet HMS Medusa to Marseilles arrived Mar. 17th, red London (3.21) transit backstamp and manuscript "2/3" due for 1s5d packet rate plus 10d French transit for ¼ to ½ oz., London converted 2/3 to a manuscript "54" cents debit to the U.S., then Collins Line Baltic from Liverpool Mar. 22nd to New York arriving Apr. 3rd, red "New York, Apr 4" cds and manuscript "75" cents due rating for 54¢ debit plus 16¢ American packet and 5¢ inland, Very Fine use from the Philippines via Singapore and Marseilles.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400