Australian States: Victoria, 1855 (c.) Melbourne, Victoria to Bridgeport Conn. via Callao, Peru and New York. Blue cover carried as endorsed by Adams Express on ship Tasmania to Callao, then by ship to Panama, railroad across Isthmus and ship to New York, flap with blue framed "Forwarded by the Adams Express Company from 59 Broadway N.Y." handstamp, overland by Adams & Co. to Bridgeport; some edge toning and flaws, Fine and scarce Adams & Co. Express use.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Australian States: South Australia, 1854 (Mar. 6) Sydney, South Australia to South Easton, N.Y. via Callao, Peru. Buff cover bearing New South Wales, Laureate, 3d green (Sc 25) horizontal pair, margins to touched, tied by two strikes of barred oval prepaying double the 3d ship letter rate, matching "Sydney, N.S.W., MR*6, 1854" rimless backstamp, carried as endorsed by South Carolina to Callao, then by ship to Panama City, overland across the Isthmus to Aspinwall, USMSC steamship to New York where "Steam/Ship" two-line handstamp and matching "40" cent due handstamp; top edge and corner repairs, no back flap, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

Had this letter found a direct opportunity sailing via Cape Horn to New York, 6¢ postage would have been due. A private ship sailing via England would have resulted in 74¢ due. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Australian States: Victoria, 1886 (Jul. 13) Melbourne, Victoria to Albany N.Y. Gray Victorian Institute of Surveyors booklet bearing Victoria, 2d lilac rose (148) tied by "Victoria" barred oval duplexed with "Melbourne, JU 13 '85" cds, missent to Albany, Western Australia on P&O Shannon, "Albany, Western Australia, AU 6, 1886" rimless transit, P&O Rome to Suez, P&O Khedive by Long Sea Route to Gravesend, then mail steamer to New York where "Due 2" straightline, U.S. 2¢ red brown (J16) s.e. at left, tied by "Albany N.Y., Rec'd, Oct 8, 1886" cds; few light stain spots, Very Fine printed matter use.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

Postal rates for newspapers and various classes of printed matter addressed to foreign counties were seldom published. Here 2d was charged in Victoria, but Albany New York postmaster charged 2d due for a pamphlet sent by the Long Sea Route. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Australian States: Queensland, 1866 (Jul. 19) Maryborough, Queensland to Marysville Cal. Blue cover with Queensland, 2d blue, horizontal strip of three, tied by light strikes of numeral "96" starburst cancels, matching "Maryborough, Queensland, JY 19, 66" rimless cds, Brisbane (7.21) transit backstamp, carried by New Zealand's Panama Line Rakaia departed Sep. 2nd to Panama arriving Oct. 6t, steamship to San Francisco, bold "San Francisco, Cal. Oct 26" cds and matching "10" due handstamp for 10¢ steamship rate, Very Fine.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

Cover underpaid for routing via England, so held in Sydney for Rakaia via Panama. Queensland was not a signatory to the Panama Line contract and had a published rate of one shilling for mail via Panama (Campbell book, p307). Here 6d sufficed. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Australian States: New South Wales, 1866 (Dec. 31) Sydney, New South Wales to Providence R.I. via Panama and New York. Registered cover bearing New South Wales, 6d violet (40) and 6d Registration, each tied by barred oval, red "Registered, Sydney, DE 31, 1866" oval postmark, endorsed "Via Panama" at left, carried by Panama Line Mataura via New Zealand and Rapa to Panama arriving Feb. 1st, rail across Isthmus, then contract steamship to New York, sharp "N.York, Steamship" circular backstamp and matching "Steamship 10" circular due handstamp for 10¢ steamship rate; reduced slightly at left, small stamp flaws, attractive and Very Fine.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

A RARE NEW SOUTH WALES REGISTERED USE TO THE UNITED STATES.

References: Illustrated and Discussed in Milgrams "Foreign Registered Mail: 1855-1875, Part Two: British" in the Chronicle May 2019, p. 185, fig. 25. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

1867 (May 20) Pittsburgh Pa. to Waterloo, Victoria. Cover bearing United States 10¢ green (68) and 12¢ black (69), s.e. at right, each canceled by matching blue geometrics duplexed with "Pittsburgh Pa., May 20" cds. New York red "12" credit handstamp, carried by American steamship to Colon, railroad across Isthmus, "Panama, JU 11 67" transit cds, carried by New Zealand Line Mataura to Sydney arriving Jul. 31st, reverse with Sydney (7.1) transit and blue Melbourne (8.3) entry cds, matching "6d, More to Pay" oval handstamp, Beaufort (8.5) and Waterloo (8.6) backstamps; 10¢ corner flaw from edge placement, light stain at bottom, F.-V.F. and very early use of the "More to Pay" oval.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

Mail by Panama Line to the Australian Colonies other than New South Wales was charged 6 pence upon arrival since they had not paid to be signatories on the mail contract. The "More to Pay" handstamp was introduced in 1866. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Australian States: Victoria, 1867 (Aug. 2) Wahgunyah, Victoria to San Francisco Cal. Cover bearing Victoria, 2d gray lilac (75) and 1s blue (80), each tied by numeral "205" barred circle, reverse with matching partial Wahgunya (8.20.67) oval and blue Melbourne (8.22) transit cds, carried by New Zealand's Panama Line Mataura from Sydney Sep. 1st to Panama arriving Oct. 4th, then steamship to San Francisco, "San Francisco Cal. '10' Oct 25" integral-due cds for 10¢ steamship rate; no backflap, Very Fine.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

Victoria was not a signatory to the Panama Line contract and had a published rate of one shilling (Palmer book, p282). Cover is paid the via Southampton 1/2 rate but was sent on New Zealand's Panama Line, saving almost a month. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Australian States: New South Wales, 1867 (Sep. 30) Sydney, New South Wales to Providence R.I. Cover bearing New South Wales, 6d violet (40), rich color, tied by "N.S.W." oval duplexed with "Sydney, SP 30, 67" cds, carried by New Zealand Panama Line Kaikoura to Panama arriving Nov. 3rd, across Isthmus by railroad, then steamship from Colon to New York, "N.Y. Steamship '10' Nov 20" cds for 10¢ steamship rate; reduced at left with nicks affecting "Via Panama" endorsement, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

New York used three distinctive markings on Panama Line mail - the large circle "STEAMSHIP 10" circular handstamp, small "N.Y. Steamship 10" cds seen here and the depreciated currency "New York, 10 U.S. Notes" cds seen on the Mar. 31st 1868 use from Sydney. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Australian States: New South Wales, 1868 (Mar. 31) Sydney, New South Wales to Monument Mass. Yellow cover bearing New South Wales, 6d violet (40), rich color, tied by "N.S.W." oval duplexed with "Sydney, MR 31, 68" cds, carried by New Zealand Panama Line Rakaia to Panama arriving May 4th, across Isthmus by railroad, then steamship from Colon to New York, "New York, 10 U.S. Notes, May 14" depreciated currency cds for 10¢ steamship rate; reduced slightly at left, Very Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

New York occasionally used their "10" depreciated currency marking on arriving mail with 10¢ due. These markings originated during the Civil War when gold and greenbacks had different values. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Australian States: Victoria, 1868 (Aug. 25) Melbourne, Victoria to New York N.Y. Legal-size cover bearing Victoria, 1s blue (80), two singles, and 2s blue (28), three singles, all tied by strikes of "Victoria" barred oval duplexed with "Melbourne, AU 28, 68" cds, endorsed "Via Panama", carried by New Zealand's Panama Line Mataura from Sydney Sep. 2nd to Panama arriving Oct. 8th, across Isthmus and steamship to New York, New York pencil "80 Cents Due" rating; cover faulty and stained, right 2s faults, Fine and rare multiple-rate use.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.

THE LARGEST RECORDED PANAMA LINE FRANKING. Est. $1,500-2,000 (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000

1868 (Nov. 5) Weaverville Cal. to Newcastle, New South Wales. Cover bearing United States, 2¢ black (93) and 10¢ green (89) pair, strong grills, each cancelled by partial oval cancel, matching "Weaverville Cal. Nov 5" cds, San Francisco magenta "12 Cents." credit handstamp, ship to Panama, "Panama, NO 28, 68" transit cds, carried by New Zealand Panama Line packet from Panama to Sydney, partial transit backstamp; no back flap, Very Fine.
Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1869 (Feb. 11) Weaverville Cal. to Newcastle, New South Wales. Cover bearing United States, 2¢ black (93) and two 10¢ green (96) singles, all with defects, each cancelled by partial oval cancels, matching "Weaverville Cal. Feb 11" cds, San Francisco magenta "12 Cents." credit handstamp,carried by PMSC steamship to Panama arriving Mar. 8th, then railroad across Isthmus, RMSC packet to London, red London Paid (4.13) transit cds, then P&O Ceylon via Suez, Simla to Galle, P&O Malta to Melbourne arriving Jun. 7th, Newcastle (6.10) arrival backstamp; cover with tear and professional edge restoration, Very Fine appearance, with clear 1981 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

When this cover reached Panama City it was realized it could not be sent via the Pacific because New Zealand's Panama Line was discontinued. Cover was sent via the Atlantic. Had it been sent overland from San Francisco to New York on the almost completed transcontinental railroad it would have reached Australia more than a month earlier. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1852 (Nov. 23) Astabula Oh. to Hubbardtown, Tasmania. Blue folded letter with "Astabula, Ohio, Nov 23" cds and matching "Paid" handstamp with manuscript "45" cent rating, New York magenta "24" cent credit to G.B., carried by Collins Line Pacific from New York Nov. 28th to Liverpool arriving Dec. 11th, red London Paid (12.11) transit cds, then by ARM Adelaide from Plymouth Dec. 18th, but returned to Plymouth after serious leaks developed, sailed again on Jan. 2nd and on fire for two days at Bay of Biscay, via Cape of Good Hope to Melbourne arriving May 11th, coastal ship Clarence to Launceston, reverse with "Launceston, 11 MY 1853" transit cds, manuscript "5" pence due for 4d arrival charge plus 1d internal, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

THIS WAS THE LAST ARM EASTBOUND CONTRACT SAILING - 129 DAYS FROM PLYMOUTH TO MELBOURNE FOR THE "ADELAIDE" RESULTED IN CANCELLATION OF THEIR CONTRACT - EVEN SAILING SHIPS WERE CONSISTENTLY FASTER. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Australian States: Victoria, 1853 (Dec. 16) Melbourne, Victoria to Boston Mass. via Liverpool. Blue folded letter bearing Victoria, Half-length, 3d blue, fourth printing (SG 11) tied by "1 V" barred oval, matching "Melbourne, Victoria, DC 16, 1853" rimless oval, carried as endorsed by ARM Sydney via Cape of Good Hope non-contract sailing, reverse with red London (3.19) transit and blue Liverpool (3.20) arrival cds, manuscript "8" pence ship due rating paid by Brown Shipley & Co., forwarded with Liverpool (3.22) backstamp and "3/Cents" debit handstamp to U.S., carried transatlantic by Collins Line Arctic from Liverpool Mar. 23rd to New York arriving Apr. 5th, bold strike of New York "24" due handstamp; central fold, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Australian States: Victoria, 1854 (Jan. 19) Melbourne, Victoria to Boston Mass. via Liverpool. Folded cover bearing Victoria, Half-length, 3d blue, fourth printing (SG 11) tied by "1 V" barred oval, matching "Melbourne, Victoria, JA 19, 1854" rimless postmark, carried by GSSC Harbinger via Cape of Good Hope non-contract sailing, reverse with red London (4.19) transit and green Liverpool (4.19) arrival cds, manuscript "8" pence ship due rating paid by Brown Shipley & Co., forwarded with green Liverpool (4.22) double-arc and "19/Cents" debit handstamp to U.S., carried transatlantic by Cunard Line Africa from Liverpool Apr. 22nd to New York arriving May 5th, "Boston Br. Pkt. '24' May 6" debit exchange cds; vertical file fold, Very Fine.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Australian States: South Australia, 1854 (Oct. 30) Adelaide, South Australia to Albany N.Y. via Melbourne and Boston. Folded letter with red "Paid, Adelaide, OC 30, 1854" rimless cds and red manuscript "6" rating for 6d empire rate, carried by Bosphorus to Melbourne, then by GSSC Calcutta via Cape of Good Hope to England, red London Paid (1.30) tombstone transit with manuscript "28" cent debit to U.S., carried by Cunard Asia from Liverpool Feb. 3rd to Boston arriving Feb. 15th, partial "Boston Br. Pkt. Feb 15" exchange cds and matching "33" due handstamp; edge tape stains and separation, Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

This cover, one of the last GSSC sailings, should have been considered paid to England at the 6d empire rate, but British postal clerk either thought it was unpaid, or that it originated in Victoria where retaliatory rate applied. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Australian States: Victoria, 1854 (Nov. 29) Melbourne, Victoria to Lyman N.H. via New York. Cover with bold red "Paid * Melbourne, NO29, 1854" rimless oval and red manuscript "1/" prepaid, carried by Clipper Kent via Cape Horn to England, London (2.27) transit cds and manuscript "12" cent debit to U.S., carried transatlantic by Ocean Line Hermann from Southampton Feb. 28th to New York arriving Mar. 18th, "New-York Am. Pkt. Mar 18" exchange cds and matching "33" due handstamp; cover edge tear, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Australian States: Victoria, 1855 (Jul. 21) Melbourne, Victoria to Boston Mass. Gray folded cover bearing Victoria, 1s blue (18) horizontal pair, tied by two strikes of "1 V" barred numeral oval, matching "Melbourne, Victoria, JY 21, 1855" rimless oval backstamp, carried as endorsed by Clipper Marco Polo to England, "New York, Nov 7" exchange cds and blue manuscript. "96" due rating for four-times the 24¢ transatlantic packet rate; some edge wear, Very Fine.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

Cover was prepaid two shillings for four-times the 6d empire rate. Great Britain's retaliatory rate for Victoria was supposedly in effect at this date, but not charged here. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

Australian States: New South Wales, 1855 (Sep. 1) Sydney, New South Wales to New York N.Y. Blue folded letter bearing New South Wales, 3d green (Sc 35), four margins, tied by barred oval, matching "Sydney, N.S.W., SR 1, 1855" rimless backstamp, carried as endorsed by Clipper Pride of the Seas via Cape Horn direct to New York, New York "6" in circle due handstamp for 6¢ ship rate to port; couple edge tears at top and some, Very Fine and attactive use, ex-Risvold.
Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Australian States: New South Wales, 1856 (Mar. 21) Sydney, New South Wales to Boston Mass. Blue folded letter with "Sydney, N.S.W., MR 21, 1856" rimless backstamp and "Insufficiently Stamped" and "Too Late" framed handstamps, "1d" debit to G.B., sent by City of Sydney to Melbourne, carried as endorsed by Clipper Marco Polo packet letter via Cape Horn to England, reverse with "Australian Packet, Liverpool, 21 JU, 56" backstamp and Liverpool (6.22) oval, "^d6" debit handstamp to N.S.W., manuscript "12" cent debit to U.S., carried by Collins Line Baltic from Liverpool Jun. 25th to New York arriving Jul. 6th, closed bag to Boston with "Boston Am. Pkt. 7 Jul" exchange; file folds, Very Fine.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

This voyage of the Clipper "Marco Polo" carried 68,737 ounces of gold and 157 passengers. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Australian States: Victoria, 1856 (Sep. 10) Sandhurst, Victoria to Philadelphia Pa. Blue double-weight folded letter bearing Victoria, 1s blue (18), four margins, tied by "4" barred numeral, matching "Sandhurst, Victoria, SE 10, 1856" rimless oval, Melbourne (9.12) transit backstamp and red "2d" packet credit handstamp to G.B., carried as endorsed by Clipper True Briton packet sailing to England, red London Paid (12.9) transit cds, carried transatlantic on Collins Line Baltic from Liverpool Dec. 10th to New York arriving Dec. 25th, closed bag to Philadelphia, clear "Philadelphia Am. Pkt. Dec 25" exchange cds and manuscript "42" cent due rating, Very Fine.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

Great Britain received only 2d from Victoria for a double rate colonial packet. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

Australian States: Victoria, 1856 (Sep. 14) Sandhurst, Victoria to Philadelphia Pa. Blue folded letter bearing Victoria, 6d yellow orange (17), four full to large margins, tied by bold "4" barred numeral, matching "Sandhurst, Victoria, SE 14, 1856" rimless oval, Melbourne transit backstamp and red "1d" packet credit handstamp to G.B., carried by Clipper Red Jacket packet sailing to England, red "Australian Packet, Paid, Liverpool, DE 29, 56" cds, Liverpool (12.30) transit backstamp, carried transatlantic by Ocean Line Washington from Southampton Dec. 31 to New York arriving Jan. 20th, closed bag to Philadelphia, clear "Philadelphia Am. Pkt. Jan 21" exchange cds and matching "21" cent due handstamp; some interesting content "…You will please deliver the bag or packet of Gold Dust referred to in the receipt herewith…", Very Fine and choice use.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

Great Britain received only 1d from Victoria for a single rate colonial packet. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Australian States: New South Wales, 1848 (May 5) Sydney, New South Wales to Boston Mass. Folded letter with red "Paid Ship Letter, Sydney, MY * 5, 1848" rimless crown oval and red manuscript "3" pence rating for ship fee, carried by private ship via Cape Horn, entered mails with red "New-York 'Ship 7 cts' Jan 27" integral due cds for 5¢ for domestic postage plus 2¢ ship captain fee; edge wear, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

The New York "Ship 7cts" cds is recorded used from November 1845 to December 1850. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Australian States: New South Wales, 1853 (Sep. 7) Sydney, New South Wales to Natchez, Miss. via New Bedford Mass. Blue cover bearing New South Wales, 3d yellow green (9), corner crease, tied by barred oval, matching "Ship Letter, Sydney, SE 7, 1853" rimless crown backstamp; carried by Whaler Berkshire via Cape Horn, entered mails with "New Bedford Mass., Mar 2" and matching "Ship" and "7" rating handstamps for 5¢ inland postage plus 2¢ ship fee; some cosmetic edge reinforcing, Very Fine appearance.
Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Australian States: New South Wales, 1853 (Sep. 8) Sydney, New South Wales to New Bedford Mass. Legal-size blue cover bearing New South Wales, 3d yellow green (9), mostly large margins, tied by multiple strikes of barred ovals for quadruple the 3d ship fee, matching "Ship Letter, Sydney, SE 7, 1853" rimless crown backstamp; carried as endorsed by Whaler Berkshire via Cape Horn, entered mails with New Bedford "Ship" straightline and manuscript "6" due rating for 6¢ post of entry ship fee, Very Fine.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.

THE LARGEST RECORDED MULTIPLE ON COVER OF THE NEW SOUTH WALES 3D LAUREATED.

This was carried on the same voyage as the previous lot but address to the port of entry. This was a quadruple weight ship letter in Sydney, but the 6¢ collect charge at the port of entry was not dependent on weight. Had it been sent via England, the addressee would have paid four-times 37¢, or $1.48. Est. $1,500-2,000 (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000