1848 (Mar. 15) Elizabethtown, Ind. to Ochsenbach, Württemberg. Folded letter with manuscript "Elizabeth Town, March 15" postmark and matching "Paid 10" rating, "New-York, Mar 20" backstamp, carried by Ocean Line Hermann from New York on Mar. 21st to Bremerhaven arriving Apr. 13th, many manuscript postal ratings, handstamped "America/über Bremen" with red crayon "9¾" transit fee rating showing Bremen port-to-city fee, final red crayon "1f22" due rating (82kr), Very Fine, ex-Winter.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

THIS LETTER WAS CARRIED ON THE FIRST OF FIVE VOYAGES UNDER THE BREMEN POSTAL TREATY OF 1847.

Letter sent to Oberamt of Brackenheim since there was no post office in Ochsenbach. On first five voyages of Ocean Line to Bremerhaven, Bremen charged ¾ ggr. for transit from Bremerhaven to Bremen. Bremen debited Hannover 9¾ ggr. Hannover debited Thurn & Taxis Post 11 1/12 ggr. (equivalent to 49 kr.). Thurn & Taxis Post added 24 kr. transit but debited Württemberg 77 kr. instead of 73 kr., or 1 fl. 17 kr. Württemberg added 3 kr. and Oberamt added 2 kr. for total postage due of 1 fl. 22 kr. Less than 20 covers have been recorded showing the ¾ ggr. transit fee. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1848 (Jun. 8) Cincinnati Oh. to Sersheim, Württemberg. Blue folded letter with red "Cincinnati, O. '10' Jun 8" integral-rate origin cds and matching "Paid", red "New-York Jun 13" exchange backstamp with black "24" debit handstamp to Bremen, carried by Ocean Line Hermann from New York Jun. 13th to Bremerhaven arriving Jul. 6th, black "America/über Bremen" two-line handstamp, red "10 1/3" rating handstamp and various red crayon and green ms. markings, Very Fine, a wonderful letter showing the rating complexities.
Estimate; $150 - 200.

The Hannover post in Bremen debited Hannover 9 gutegroschen, a restatement of the 24¢ U.S. debit. Hannover marked 10 1/3 ggr. debit to Thurn & Taxis Post, later marked as 46 kr. Thurn & Taxis Post added 24 kr. transit fee to Württemberg and wrote the total as "1/10" for 1 florin 10kr. Vaihingen added 3kr delivery fee for final total due of "1f13" (1 florin 13 kr). Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

1851 (Sep. 30) Wheeling Va. to Sondelfingen, Württemberg. Blue folded letter with red "Wheeling, Va., Sep 30" cds and matching "Free" handstamp overstruck with correct "Paid" and additional strike below, ms. "34" rating, red "New-York, Oct 4" exchange backstamp and magenta "12" cent credit rating, carried by Cunard Line Canada from Boston Oct. 15th to Liverpool arriving Oct. 26th, red "America/über Bremen" two-line handstamp, various credits and restatements, Very Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

From 30 June 1851, a single international rate of 20¢ from anywhere in the US replaced the 24¢, 29¢, and 34¢ rates. The founding of the German-Austrian Postal Union (GAPU) in July 1850 led to more uniform German rates. Nonetheless, this lot and the following reflect continued uncertainty about correct rates. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

(Bremen Closed Mail) 1851 (Nov. 24) Cleveland Oh. to Hamburg, Germany. Gray datelined folded letter with "Cleveland O. Nov 24" cds and red "Paid" handstamp with manuscript "21" cent rating, red "New-York, Nov 28" exchange backstamp and black "PAID PART" straightline, carried by Collins Line Atlantic from New York Dec. 6th to Liverpool arriving Dec. 17th, closed bag through Bremen, Hamburg (12.23) arrival backstamp, red crayon "3" schillinge (5¢) due rating for GAPU transit, Very Fine and scarce Bremen Closed mail use.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

Ocean Line ships often did not sail in winter in the early 1850s, so NY made up "closed mails," i.e., locked mail bags sent to England by other American or British ships and then sent on to Bremen for processing. Bremen Closed Mail was used throughout 1851-52 to meet demand. This cover was endorsed to go in British Open Mail by US packet, but instead were sent by Bremen Closed Mail. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1852 (Jul. 9) St. Louis, Mo. to Backnang, Württemberg. Folded letter with "Saint Louis Mo., Jul 9" cds with two strikes of red "Paid/All" two-line handstamp and red crayon "32" cent prepaid rating, red "New-York, Jul 15" exchange backstamp with matching complete "PAID ALL" straightline and magenta "7" cent credit rating, carried by Ocean Line Washington from New York Jul. 17th to Bremerhaven arriving Aug. 2nd, red "America/über Bremen" two-line handstamp and black "Fr. 3." handstamp, Very Fine and choice.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

The "Paid All" handstamp is a New York marking indicating that the letter was prepaid to destination. The Hanover Post Office in Bremen black "Fr. 3." sgr credit handstamp is known used only from August 1852 to November 1853. The credit increase from 2 5/12 sgr to 3 sgr in July 1852. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

1853 (Aug. 30) Waterloo, Va. to Schorndorf, Württemberg. Blue folded letter with manuscript "Waterloo, Va. Augt. 30/53" postmark and "Paid 34¢" rating, red "N. York, U.S. Pkt. 'Paid 8' Sep 10" exchange cds, carried by Ocean Line Hermann from New York Sep. 10th to Bremerhaven arriving Sep. 29th, red "America/über Bremen" two-line transit and sharp strike of black "Fr. 3" for 3 sgr credit restatement, reverse with Berlin (9.26), Minden (9.27) transits and Schorndorf arrival, Very Fine and scarce use.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1855 (Apr. 21) New York, N.Y. to Bremen. Orange buff envelope with large pencil "10" prepaid rating and red "N. York U.S. Pkt. 'Paid 1' Apr 21" exchange credit cds, carried by Ocean Line Washington from New York Apr. 21st to Bremerhaven arriving May 8th; small abrasion spot, Very Fine and scarce New York 1¢ credit circular datestamp, ex-Winter.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

Under the second Bremen Treaty, of the 10¢ prepaid, the U.S. was entitled to 5¢ internal fee and 4¢ sea transit fee since an American contract steamship carried the letter to Bremerhaven. Bremen was entitled to 1¢ of the international fee. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1859 (Mar. 25) Reading Pa. to Neustadt am Rübenberge, Hanover. Buff cover bearing 5¢ Indian red (28A), intense color, used with 10¢ green, type III (33), tied together by "Reading Pa., Mar 25, 1859" cds, red "N. York, Brem. Pk. 'Paid 12' Apr 2" credit exchange cds, carried by NGL Line Weser from New York Apr. 2nd to Bremerhaven arriving Apr. 15th, blue America/über Bremen/Franco" three-line handstamp, partial Neustadt arrival backstamp; bit of flap missing and vertical filing crease at right, 5¢ trivial toned corner perf, Very Fine, with clear 1984 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.

A RARE AND DESIRABLE 5¢ 1857 INDIAN RED SHADE USED ON COVER TO GERMANY. Est. $1,500-2,000 (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000

1860 (Jan. 9) West Meriden Ct. to Polle, Hanover. Light buff cover bearing two 1¢ blue (24) singles, 3¢ dull red (26) and 10¢ green (35), all tied by strikes of "West Meriden Ct., Jan 9, 1860" cds, red "N.York, Brem. Pk. 'Paid 12' Jan 21" credit exchange cds, carried by NGL Line New York from New York Jan. 21st to Bremerhaven arriving Feb. 5th, blue America/über Bremen/Franco" three-line handstamp, Polle (2.6) arrival backstamp; some light soiling, F.-V.F. and attractive three-color franking.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1860 (Aug. 2) St. Louis Mo. to Hofgeismar, Kurhessen. Cover bearing 3¢ dull red (24) strip of four and single, each tied by bold open circular grid cancel, matching "Saint Louis Mo., Aug 2, 1860" cds, red "N.York, Brem. Pk. 'Paid 12' Aug 4, 1860" credit exchange cds, carried by NGL Line Bremen from New York Aug. 4th to Bremerhaven arriving Aug. 19th, blue America/über Bremen/Franco" three-line handstamp, reverse with Cassel (8.20) and Hofgeismar (8.20) arrival cds; tone spot top left, F.-V.F. and attractive 3¢ 1857 issue franking for the 15¢ rate.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

1860 (Nov. 16) Bethlehem Pa. to Neustadt, Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. Orange buff cover bearing 30¢ orange (38), s.e. at left, faults, cancelled by red circular grid cancel, matching red "Bethlehem Pa., Nov 16" cds, carried by NGL Line Bremen from New York Nov. 24th to Bremerhaven arriving Dec. 8th, blue America/über Bremen/Franco" three-line handstamp, Neustadt (12.10) arrival backstamp; some cover staining, Fine and scarce 30¢ 1860 use.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1861 (Jun. 8) New York N.Y. to Stuttgart, Württemberg. Pink cover bearing three 10¢ brown (30A) singles, each cancelled by red open circular grid cancel, matching red "N.York, Brem. Pk. 'Paid 12' Jun 3" credit exchange cds, carried by NGL Line New York from New York Jun. 8th to Bremerhaven arriving Jun. 24th, light blue America/über Bremen/Franco" three-line handstamp, Stuttgart (1.26.1861) arrival backstamp; left 5¢ faulty lower left, Very Fine and attractive 5¢ 1857 issue use.
Estimate; $400 - 600. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

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; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1862 (Jun. 6) Baltimore Md. to Lehe, Hannover. Gray folded cover with bold "Baltimore Md. Jun 6" cds and matching "15" rating handstamp, sharp bold strike of "N.York Brem. Pk. '3' Jun 7" debit exchange cds, carried by NGL Line New York from New York Jun. 7th to Bremerhaven arriving Jun. 21st, blue "AMERIKA über Bremen, 6½" double-circle integral debit handstamp, red crayon "6gr 5-" rating, blue "Lehe / 22 June" framed arrival backstamp, an Extremely Fine gem.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400