1870 (Jul. 5) Milwaukee, Wisc. to Gronau, Hanover. Orange cover bearing 10¢ yellow (116) tied by bold circle of wedges duplexed with partial "Milwaukee, Wis., Jul 5" cds, red "Chicago, Paid All, Direct, Jul 7" exchange backstamp, carried by NGL Line Main from New York Jul. 9th to Southampton only arriving Jul. 19th, then by another vessel to Bremen, red "Bremen, Franco, 21/7 70" framed transit, Gronau (7.22) arrival backstamp; ink stain, F.-V.F., ex-Juhring, Coulter.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

This cover arrived on NGL "Main" at Southampton on July 19th, the day the Franco-Prussian War was declared. This effectively closed down the route and this is one of a few known 1869 Pictorial covers prepaid at the 7¢ NGU rate (overpaid 3¢) prior to disruption of the service due to war. See the Laurence 10¢ 1869 Issue book and article in PRA 1982 Register (pp. 8-9) for a discussion of the 7¢ NGU pre-war covers including mention of this cover. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1870 (Dec. 7) Williamsburgh, N.Y. to Darmstadt, Hesse. Orange buff cover bearing 1¢ buff (112) and 6¢ ultramarine (115), tied by cork cancels duplexed with "Williamsburg N.Y. Dec 7" cds, red "New York, Paid All, Direct, Dec 10" exchange cds, carried by NGL Line America from New York Dec. 10th to Bremerhaven arriving Dec. 24th, red "Bremen, Franco, 25/12 70" framed transit, Dec. 27th arrival backstamp, Very Fine and rare 1869 Issue franking for the 7¢ direct rate.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

The Franco-Prussian War broke out on Jul. 19th 1870. Direct mail service was suspended, but the closed mail route remained open. The decisive Prussian victory at Sedan on Sep. 2nd 1870 left no doubt about the outcome of the war, and direct mail service resumed Oct. 29th 1870. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1871 (Aug. 13) East Jaffrey, N.H. to Göttingen, Prussian Hanover. Cover bearing 3¢ green (147) and 12¢ dull violet (151), tied by circle of wedges fancy cancels, matching partial "East Jaffrey, N.H. Aug 13" cds, red "New York, Aug 15" exchange cds, carried by Hapag Line Thuringia from New York Aug. 15th to Hamburg arriving Aug. 28th, Aug. 29th arrival backstamp; 3¢ light tone spots, F.-V.F. and scarce franking for 1¢ convenience overpay of double the 7¢ direct rate.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200