Benjamin Franklin. Folded cover addressed to "Dr. Franklin, Craven Street in the Strand, London", Edinburgh "IA 30" backstamp and manuscript "6" pence due rating, London "3/FE" Bishop mark arrival backstamp, rating crossed out and sent free of charge with red London "Free" in circle handstamp, manuscript receipt docketing "Dr. Robertson 1770" on flap (almost certainly in Franklin's own hand); reinforced with some aging and wear, F.-V.F., ex-Dr. Robertson.
Estimate; $4,000 - 6,000.

A RARE 1770 FREE USE TO BENJAMIN FRANKLIN FROM EDINBURGH TO LONDON.

This cover was sent from the President Dr. William Robertson of Edinburgh College to Franklin during his term as Deputy Postmaster General, which allowed him to send and receive mail free of charge.

William Robertson (1721-1793) was a Scottish historian, minister in the Church of Scotland, and Principal of the University of Edinburgh. The thirty years he presided over the college were some of its greatest. He made significant contributions to the writing of Scottish history and the history of Spain and Spanish America. He was Chaplain of Stirling Castle and one of the King's Chaplains in Scotland. Est. $4,000-6,000 (Image)

Est. $4,000-6,000

1708 (Sep. 22) Philadelphia Pa. to Jamaica. Folded cover neatly addressed "To Jonathn. Dickinson, To be left with Ezeikeil Gommersale, Mercht., In Jamaica" with sender's directive "p Capt Bayly" who was Captain of the Hannah, receipt docketing "Philadia 22 9ber 1708, Isaac Norris Lettr. p ye Hannah…Bayly Commandr. who arrived Xber 9 & carried to hand the 25 Decembr", letter was written by Isaac Norris in Philadelphia on September 22, arrived at the Gomersall Plantation in Jamaica on December 9, and received by Jonathan Dickinson on December 25; small erosion spot in address, Very Fine and rare early mail from the American Colonies to Jamaica, ex-Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

The addressee, Jonathan Dickinson (1663-1722), was a Quaker merchant from Port Royal, Jamaica, who along with his family and crew on board the "Reformation" were shipwrecked off the Florida coast in 1696. The party was held captive by Jobe ("Hoe-bay") Indians for several days, and then was allowed to travel by small boat and on foot the 230 miles up the coast to Saint Augustine. The party was subjected to harassment and physical abuse at almost every step of the journey to Saint Augustine. During the arduous trip, five members of the Dickinson party died from exposure and starvation. Spanish authorities in Saint Augustine received the surviving members of the party and sent them by canoe to Charleston S.C., where they were able to find passage to their original destination, Philadelphia. Dickinson's family eventually settled there, and he prospered as a merchant and real estate owner, twice serving as Mayor in 1712-1713 and 1717-1719. Jonathan Dickinson's journal, written in 1697, is the earliest description of Native American culture in eastern Florida.

The sender, Isaac Norris (1671-1735) was a wealthy Quaker merchant, mayor of Philadelphia in 1724 and member of the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly for many years. The Norris family emigrated from England to Jamaica around 1678, and in 1690 Isaac went to Philadelphia to arrange for his family to move to that city, but on his return he found that they had all died in the great earthquake of 1692 at Port Royal. He returned to Philadelphia and settled into business as a merchant and politician, becoming one of the wealthiest proprietors in Pennsylvania. While he was in England in 1706, he came to the aid of William Penn in his difficulties and rescued him from imprisonment. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

1737 (Jun. 30) London, England to Philadelphia Pa. via Boston. Docketed folded cover with manuscript "B Sh:" postmark and matching "7dwt -16gr" rating, the "16" appears to be crossed out; file folds, Very Fine and early Boston ship letter.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

During this period, letters sent from Boston to destinations outside of New England were rated not in local currency, but in pennyweight (dwt) and grains (gn) of coined silver (1 Sh sterling = 3 dW1; 1 dW1 = 24 gn). The rate of 7dwt, 16gr in silver was equal to the published rate in sterling for a single ship letter sent from Boston to Philadelphia, including a 16gr ship fee. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1739 (Apr. 15) England to Philadelphia Pa. Folded cover from England to John Reynell in Philadelphia with sender's instructions "To be put on board the Elizabeth ~ Stevenson Lying in the Downes", Bristol "15/AV" bishop backstamp and matching "PD" in circle handstamp with red manuscript "P 4" prepaid rating, receipt docketing "From Capt. James Allan, Recd. 2nd Novembr. 1739 p the Elize. Capt. Stevenson"; age stains, Fine and rare prepaid ship letter.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

The Drummer and Bristol packets had ceased service in 1711-12. No colonial postage was due as Elizabeth sailed directly to Philadelphia. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

1745 (Nov. 8) London, England to Philadelphia Pa. Docketed folded cover addressed to John Kinsey Esqr., Chief Justice of the Province of Pennsylvania, endorsed via "via Bristol" at bottom left, sent unpaid by private ship from Bristol Nov. 10th to Boston arriving Jan. 23rd, entered mails with manuscript "Bo Sh" postmark and "7.16" (7dwt 16gr) rating, reverse with "London 11mo 8th 1745" docketing and Jan. 26th arrival; light cover toning, tiny erosion spot, Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1756 (Sep. 11) London, England to Philadelphia Pa. Folded cover to John Reynell with London "11/SE" Bishop mark backstamp and red manuscript "P 1N" prepaid 1sh packet rating, endorsed "The Packet" at lower left, carried by Packet General Wall from Falmouth Sep. 11th to New York arriving Nov. 8th, brownish-black "NEW/YORK" two-line handstamp and red manuscript "3^dwt" rating for inland postage to Philadelphia where rated "1/3" 1sh 3d in local currency (3dwt = 9d stg., 9d x 1.66 = 15d = 1/3), receipt docketing "From Elias Bland, reced 11th mon: 10th 1756 p the Packet"; some reinforced fold splitting, Very Fine and early Falmouth-New York packet cover, ex-Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

The distance from New York to Philadelphia was known to be less than 100 miles, but the rate was nevertheless set at 3 pennyweights of silver (3dwt),or 9d sterling This rate was determined by subtracting the Boston-New York rate (1s) from the Boston-Philadelphia rate (1s9d). Coinage was scarce, so payment of postage due was often made in local Pennsylvania currency. One pennyweight = three pence sterling. Sterling x 1.66 = local Pennsylvania currency. There was neither a requirement nor the facility to prepay Colonial inland postage in Great Britain.

Seven-Years War Results in Introduction of Falmouth-New York Packet Service

In November 1755 Great Britain introduced packet service to speed communication with military units in the American colonies, who were engaged in what Americans call the French and Indian Wars. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1757 (Jan. 9) London, England to Philadelphia Pa. Folded cover with London "9/IA" Bishop mark backstamp and red "P 1N" prepaid 1sh packet rating, carried by Packet General Wall from Falmouth Jan. 21st but returned to port and resailed Feb. 10th to New York arriving Mar. 22nd, New York red "NY 3^dwt" rating for inland postage to Philadelphia where rated "1/3" 1sh 3d in local currency (3dwt = 9d stg., 9d x 1.66 = 15d = 1/3), receipt docketing "From Mary Groth rece'd 24th of 3 mon. 1757 via New York", reverse with additional "RG" in circle; minor tone spot and wear, Very Fine and scarce manuscript New York postmark, ex-Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1759 (Jan. 16) London, England to Philadelphia Pa. Folded cover to John Reynell with London "16/IA" Bishop mark backstamp and red "1N6" rating updated to "P 1N" prepaid 1sh packet rating, endorsed "p the Packett, QDC" at lower left, carried by Packet General Wall from Falmouth Jan. 21st to New York arriving Mar. 5th, New York "3^dwt" rating for inland postage to Philadelphia, receipt docketing "From John Edwin, Rece'd 3 mon 17. 1759, p Packett", instructions on back "If gone to be sent back to James Woodbridge, London"; Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1764 (Feb. 29) London, England to Philadelphia Pa. via New York. Folded cover docketed "London, Febry, 29th 1764", London "10/MR" Bishop mark backstamp and red manuscript "P 2N" prepaid 2sh double-weight packet rating, carried by packet Harriet from Falmouth Mar. 17th to New York arriving May 2nd, magenta "New/York" two-line postmark on flap and manuscript "6" dwt rating for inland postage of two-times the 3dwt rate to Philadelphia where rated "2/8" 2sh 8d in local currency (6dwt = 18d stg., 18d x 1.66 = 30d + 2d carrier fee = 2/8), docketed "Rece'd p Packet, May 4th. 1764. pd postge. 2/8 & 5d", Very Fine use sent on the Leap Year of 1764.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

Westbound trips took at least two months plus an overland trip to Philadelphia of at least two days. Scheduled, one-day stage service between New York and Philadelphia was unavailable until 1785. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1767 (Apr. 11) London, England to Philadelphia Pa. via New York. Folded cover to John Reynell with London "11/AP" Bishop mark backstamp and manuscript "3N" triple-rate 3sh packet due rating, carried by packet Lord Hyde from Falmouth Apr. 16th to New York arriving May 28th, 49 day voyage, back flap with brownish "New/York" two-line postmark and matching "28 MA" Franklin mark, manuscript "18" dwt due rating for three-times the 4 dwt packet rating plus 2 dwt inland, docketed "Recd 5 mo., 29th 1767", Very Fine and choice packet due use.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.

A GPO London notice of 24 October 1755 required prepayment of the packet letter rate, but this rule was not strictly enforced until it was reiterated in a GPO notice of 22 May 1784.

The postage from New York to Philadelphia was reduced to 2 dwt (6d) effective October 10, 1765. Est. $1,500-2,000 (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000

1767 (Aug. 8) London, England to Philadelphia Pa. Docketed folded cover with London "8/AV" Bishop mark backstamp and manuscript "1N" due rating for 1s schilling packet rate, carried Falmouth packet Earl of Halifax from Falmouth Aug. 29th to New York arriving Oct. 7th, reverse with "New/York" two-line postmark with "7 OC" Franklin mark and red manuscript "6" due rating for 4dwt packet plus 2dwt inland, docketed as received Oct. 10th, Very Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

1772 (Sep. 3) Barbados to Philadelphia Pa. via New York. Docketed folded cover to James Pemberton, sender's directive "p Cap. Montgomery Via New York", carried by private ship Montgomery from Barbados Sep. 7th to New York arriving Oct. 5th, entered mails with "NEW/YORK" two-line handstamp and "7/OC" Franklin mark on flap, red manuscript "Sh 2.16" ship-letter rating for 2dwt inland postage plus 16gr ship fee, Philadelphia red manuscript "1/4" due in local currency (2dwt16gr=8p x 1.67 inflation factor=14p plus 2p carrier fee, or 1sh4p), receipt docketing "Barbados Sept. 3d 1772 from Cap. Jno. Harr"; minor repaired spots around edges where paper has eroded, Fine and scarce colonial cover from Barbados to Philadelphia.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

1772 (Dec. 5) Norwich, England to Philadelphia Pa. Folded cover with "NORWICH" straightline with manuscript "Pd. 1/4" 1s4d rating, London red "POST/PAID" circled handstamp with red manuscript "p. 1/4" restatement, carried as endorsed by Falmouth packet Duke of Cumberland from Falmouth Dec. 25th to New York arriving Feb. 7th, New York red "2" dwt inland due rating, Philadelphia red manuscript. "1/-" 1sh local currency due rating (6d (2x 3dwt) inland plus 1d delivery x 1.67 = 12d); light cover toning, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1773 (Jan. 6) London, England to Philadelphia Pa. Docketed folded cover from Thomas Penn, Proprietor of Pennsylvania with London "6/IA" Bishop mark backstamp and manuscript "1N" shilling transatlantic packet due, carried by packet Harriot from Falmouth Jan. 30th to New York arriving Mar. 14th, reverse with partial "New/York" two-line backstamp and matching "15 AP" Franklin mark, red manuscript "6" dwt due for 4dwt packet plus 2dwt inland, Philadelphia red manuscript "2/8" 2sh8d due in local currency (6dwt x 3 = 2s6d plus 2d carrier), docketed from as received Mar. 16th, F.-V.F. and scarce unpaid packet use.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

Prior to a 22 May 1784 London GPO Notice, prepayment of packet postage from London to New York was optional. Local currencies fluctuated at different rates, so the Act of 1765 required payment of postage in the colonies be made in relation to rates defined in sterling. Inflation in Pennsylvania in 1773 was high — local currency had lost 16.5 percent of its value.

Thomas Penn (1702-1775) was a son of William Penn, founder of the Province of Pennsylvania. Thomas Penn was born in Bristol, England after his father returned there in 1701 because of financial difficulties. Thomas Penn inherited the position of Proprietor of the Colony of Pennsylvania for the British Crown in 1718 along with his brothers John and Richard on the death of their father William Penn, until 1746 when John died. Thomas continued as the Proprietor with Richard's son, John, and his own son John Penn until 1775. He tried to bring his family out of the debt that had plagued his father. He asserted his independence from the Quakers, and tried to assert his control of the colony almost as a feudal lord. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

1774 (Apr. 13) London, England to Philadelphia Pa. Folded cover with London "13/AV" Bishop mark backstamp and manuscript "3N" schilling due rating for triple rate, sent unpaid by packet Harriot from Falmouth Apr. 15th to New York arriving May 14th, New York manuscript "18" dwt due rating ((4dwt packet + 2dwt inland) x 3 = 54d stg), Philadelphia rated "7/8" 7sh8d due in local currency: (54d stg. x 1.67) = 7/6 plus 2d delivery = "7/8"; small edge tear at top, Very Fine triple-rate Falmouth packet use.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1775 (Dec. 20) Bristol, England to Philadelphia Pa. Folded cover to James & Drinker with sender's routing "P New York Pacquet QDC", brownish "BRISTOL" straightline backstamp and manuscript "4" pence due for 4d inland rate, London "23/DE" bishop mark backstamp and re-rated "Inall 1N4" for 1sh packet rate plus the 4d internal postage, carried by packet Swallowtail from Falmouth Jan. 9th 1776 to New York arriving Mar. 9th, carried privately to Philadelphia where manuscript "2/6" due rating in local currency (16d stg. x 180% inflation + 2d carrier fee = 30d = 2/6), and additional unusual "16d at 180 PCt" notation at bottom which must be an inflation calculation, receipt docketing "Bristol 12th & 20th Decb. 1775 from Lancelot Couper & Co."; slight wear and toning along folds, Very Fine and fascinating use.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.

A RARE ARMED PACKET USE THROUGH THE AMERICAN PRIVATEER BLOCKADE OF NEW YORK. ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES CARRIED ON THIS SAILING BY PACKET "SWALLOW".

War broke out in April 1775 with the battles of Lexington and Concord. American attacks on British ships soon followed, and led to withdrawal of scheduled packet service to New York. The last Post Office packet left Falmouth on 6 October, after which the Admiralty assumed scheduling and protection of the packets.

Swallow was carrying a larger volume of mail than any previous transatlantic voyage and offloaded her mails to the HMS Asia, a 64-gun frigate in New York Harbor. Deputy PMG Foxcroft was given permission to board Asia with clerks to sort the mails, so on 19 March, Francis Dashwood (PO Secretary) and Elias Nixon were sent by the New York Committee of Safety to bring mails ashore. Agents traveled to New York to pay for and collect their town's letters from Nixon and Henricus Boel (First Clerk). The 1765 British postal rates were retained. Est. $1,500-2,000 (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000

1785 (Dec. 3) Liverpool, England to Philadelphia Pa. Datelined folded letter with London "7/DE" bishop mark backstamp and red "POST/PAID" in circle handstamp with prepaid "1/6" 1sh6d rating for 6d inland plus 1sh packet, "204 LIVER/POOL" postmark for 204 miles Liverpool-London, carried by Packet Shelburn from Falmouth Dec. 16th to New York Feb. 4th, New York manuscript "2" dwt inland postage due, Very Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

After the American Revolution, British authorities asked Benjamin Franklin to reinstate the New York packets under the old terms, including that no U.S. ship fees were to be charged on incoming packet letters. Anxious to restart commercial relations, the American government agreed. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1786 (Feb. 2) London England to Philadelphia Pa. via New York. Datelined folded letter endorsed "Via New York / Feby Pacquet", London "2/FE" bishop mark backstamp and matching "POST/PAID" in circle handstamp with red manuscript "1oz" and "p 4/-" prepaid rating for four-times the 1sh packet rate, carried by Packet Speedy from Falmouth Feb. 14th to New York arriving Apr. 18th, New York manuscript "8" dwt rating for inland postage (4x 2dwt for 60-100 miles), Philadelphia manuscript "3/6" 3s6d due rating in local currency (8dwt = 24d sterling, so: 24d x 1.67 = 40d local + 2d delivery = 3s6d), docketed "Recd 21 August 86"; some edge wear, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.

A RARE PREPAID QUADRUPLE RATE PACKET LETTER. Est. $2,000-3,000 (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000

1786 (Dec. 6) London, England to Philadelphia Pa. Datelined folded letter with London "7/DE" bishop mark backstamp and matching "POST/PAID" in circle handstamp with red manuscript "P 1/-" rating, carried by Packet Lord Hyde from Falmouth Dec. 17th to New York arriving Feb. 5th, New York manuscript "2" dwt due rating for 60-100 miles, Philadelphia manuscript "1/" due rating in local currency (2dwt = 6d stg. x 1.67 = 10d local + 2d delivery = 12d = 1sh); file fold reinforced, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1790 (Jan. 19) Liverpool, England to Philadelphia Pa. Folded letter endorsed "Pr favour Nereus, Capt Thompson" at bottom left, carried as endorsed by Ship Nereus from Liverpool Jan. 20th to New York arriving Mar. 20th, entered mails with "New-York * march*20" straightline and manuscript "Sh 2" rating for 2d stg. ship fee, Philadelphia "1/-" due in local currency ([2d stg. ship plus 4d stg. inland] x 1.67 inflation = 10d; 10d plus 2d delivery = 1/-); some separation at top, Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1794 (c., Mar. 1) London, England to Philadelphia Pa. Folded cover with manuscript "Rec'd & forwarded, yr. hbleServt., F. Pigice" on flap and endorsed "Geo Barclay", sent unpaid by Ship George Barclay from London Mar. 1st 1794 to Philadelphia arriving May 1st (62 days), entered mails with bold strike of Philadelphia "4" cents due 8mm handstamp for port of arrival ship letter, Very Fine and scarce.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

Philadelphia was the only city to use a handstamp 4 device. Four sizes of typeface were used to indicate this rate; a census records that all four comprise only 26 examples. The Philadelphia 8mm "4" rating handstamp is recorded from 1793-1794 with only fifteen recorded examples. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1800 (Feb. 6) Nassau, Bahamas to Philadelphia Pa. via New York. Datelined folded letter written and signed by Jacob Weiser to merchant Manuel Tyer with interesting content "…the Schooner Weymouth which is now called the Eliz. She was captured on her passage from Cape Francois to Baltimore by a French Privateer and afterwards re-captured by the U.S. Frigates General Green and Boston, put into this port in distress…thoroughly overhauled and now in compleat order.", cover endorsed "Via New York" at lower left, carried by private ship, entered mails with "New-York, Mar 14" clamshell postmark and red manuscript "Sh 14½" due rating for 12½¢ inland postage plus 2¢ ship fee, Very Fine and interesting privateering content.
Estimate; $400 - 600. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

1803 (Jul. 21) London, England to Philadelphia Pa. Datelined folded letter with clear strike of "Post-Paid Ship-Letter, London, JUL 21, 1803" double-circle postmark and red manuscript "11" pence prepaid rating for one half of the 1/10 packet rate, carried as endorsed by Ship Pigou from London Jul. 22nd to Philadelphia arriving Sep. 7th, Philadelphia red "6" in circle due handstamp; soiled, Fine.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

THE ONLY RECORDED USE OF THIS LONDON POSTMARK ON A LETTER TO PHILADELPHIA.

Prepayment of ship letters was not permissible until 1799. Act 39 Geo III c 76 allowed private ships to carry mail for the post office at "not less than half the packet rate". This was amended by GPO notice in 1803 to be exactly half the packet rate, and required letters to be held in sealed bags. Prepaid ship letters are very rare, as letters were normally sent unpaid. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

1804 (Mar. 8) Cape Town, South Africa to Portsmouth N.H. Docketed folded cover carried by Ship Perseverance from Cape Town Mar. 8th to Philadelphia Pa. arriving May 3rd, entered mails with bold magenta "PHI, MY, 4" cds and matching "SHIP" arc handstamp with magenta "22" rating for 20¢ inland 300-500 miles plus 2¢ ship fee; top center flaw, Very Fine, The Earliest Recorded Use of this "SHIP" arc handstamp..
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

1811 (Apr. 8) London, England to Philadelphia Pa. Folded letter endorsed "p Essex Frigate", carried as endorsed by Frigate Essex from Cowes May 6th to Annapolis arriving Jul. 1st, entered mails with sharp strike of "ANNAPOLIS, Md. July 1." straightline and matching "SHIP" handstamp with manuscript "14½" due rating for 12½¢ inland postage plus 2¢ ship fee, docketed as received July 4th.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.

THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS "ANNAPOLIS, MD." STRAIGHTLINE POSTMARK.

This sailing was a prelude to the War of 1812. Anglo-American relations had been worsening since the 1790s, due to harassment of American merchant vessels engaged in "neutral trade" with France during Britain's war with France.

In 1811 President Madison recalled the U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain, Thomas Pinckney, and replaced him with J. Smith as Charges des Affairs — a position of lower rank. The 46-gun U.S. Frigate Essex was sent to England to transport Pinckney home to Annapolis. She put into Cowes on the Isle of Wight, just offshore from the entrance to Portsmouth Harbor, to where Pinckney is reported to have traveled from London and met for a long conference with Smith.

This letter was carried on the last voyage of the Frigate Essex to Europe before the War. She took 23 prizes during the war before being trapped in the harbor of Valparaiso and captured by the British. Est. $2,000-3,000 (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000