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

1850 (Sep. 10) Baltimore Md. to Bremen. Blue cover front only with flaps added bearing 5¢ red brown (1) large margins to barely touched, tied by two strikes of blue "Baltimore Rail Road Sep 10" cds, additional strike at left, carried as endorsed by Cunard Line America from New York Sep. 11th to Liverpool arriving Sep. 22nd, London ms. "1/6" 1s6d debit rating, Bremen red crayon "44" grote due rating, Very Fine appearance.
Estimate; $400 - 600. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

1856 (Aug. 4) Reading Pa. to Sachsenhausen, Coeln, Prussia. Orange cover bearing two 12¢ gray black (17) singles, margins clear to barely in, and two 3¢ dull red (11A) singles, stamps artfully placed at all four corners of the cover, tied by either grids or "Reading Pa. Aug. 4" cds, red "N. York, Br. Pkt. 'Paid 7' Aug 6" credit exchange cds, carried by Cunard Line Persia from New York Aug. 6th to Liverpool arriving Aug. 15th, red "Aachen, Franco 17/8" framed handstamp, Coeln (8.17) receiving backstamp; trivial cover stain at top, Very Fine and colorful attractively franked cover at the 30¢ Prussian Closed Mail rate, ex-J & J, Corey Long.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

1856 (Aug. 5) San Francisco Cal. to Reutlingen, Württemberg. 10¢ pale green (U18a) buff Nesbitt entire bearing 10¢ green, type I (13), full to mostly large margins, and 10¢ green, type II (14), large margins to in, both tied by two strikes of "San Francisco, Cal., 5 Aug" cds, endorsed "via Liverpool & Ostende", red "N.York, Am. Pkt. 'Paid 7' Aug 30" credit exchange cds, carried by Collins Line Baltic from New York Aug. 30th to Liverpool arriving Sep. 11th, red "Aachen, Franco 12/9" framed transit, reverse with Stuttgart (9.13) transit and Sep. 14th arrival cds; couple tone spots, F.-V.F. and scarce 10¢ type I-II 1855 issue combination use at the 30¢ Prussian Closed Mail rate, ex-Tito.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

10¢ stamps and envelopes paid the April 1, 1855 domestic rate for distance over 3,000 miles. The envelopes were most commonly sold in California, so Prussian Closed Mail covers from there often have two 10¢ stamps affixed to one 10¢ envelope; from the rest of the US, payment by three 10¢ stamps is more common. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

1856 (Oct. 6) Schenectady, N.Y. to Göttingen, Hanover. 3¢ red (U1) Nesbitt entire bearing two 12¢ black (17) singles, pos. 44L1, 53R1, and 3¢ dull red (11A) single, pos. 67R5L, each large margins to slightly in, tied by circular grid cancels, matching "Schenectady, N.Y. 03 6" cds (03 instead of Oct) and red "Paid" straightline with magenta "30", red "N.York, Br. Pkt. 'Paid 7' Oct 7" credit exchange cds, carried by Cunard Line Canada from Boston Oct. 8th to Liverpool arriving Oct. 18th, blue Oct. 22nd arrival backstamp; partial flap, Very Fine and unusual franking for the 30¢ Prussian Closed Mail rate.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

The writer initially applied one 12¢ stamp to the 3¢ Nesbitt envelope for the 15¢ rate via Bremen on Ocean "Washington", but since it would not reach New York in time, another 15¢ had to be applied for the 30¢ Prussian Closed Mail. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

1858 (Jun. 15) Philadelphia Pa. to Braunschweig. Gray folded letter bearing three 10¢ green, type III (33) singles, each tied by circular grid cancel, matching "Philadelphia Pa., Jun 15" cds, red "N. York, Am. Pkt. 'Paid 7' Jun 19" credit exchange cds, carried by Vanderbilt Line North Star from New York Jun. 19th to Southampton arriving Jul. 1st, red "Aachen, Franco 3/7" framed transit, arrival backstamp, Very Fine use at the 30¢ Prussian Closed Mail rate.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

Original desired routing was via the Hapag Line "Hammonia" at the 15¢ Hamburg rate, but it was too late. The bottom two stamps applied over a "Paid" notation after rerouting. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1859 (Feb. 7) Columbia Ill. to Gimmeldingen bei Neustadt an der Haardt, Bavaria. Light buff cover bearing 10¢ green (35), pair and single, tied by red "Columbia Ill. Feb 7" balloon-style cds, red "N.York, Am. Pkt. 'Paid 7' Feb 11" credit exchange cds, carried by Inman Line City of Baltimore from New York Feb. 11th to Queenstown arriving Feb. 22nd, partial red "Aachen, Franco" transit, magenta "30" cent restatement; slight overall wear, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1861 (Jan. 10) New Orleans La. to Weddewarden, Hanover. Orange yellow cover bearing 30¢ orange (38) vertical pair, vibrant color, tied by large "New Orleans La., 10 Jan" cds, red "N.York, Br. Pkt. '14 Paid' Jan 16" credit exchange cds, carried by Cunard Line Australasian from New York Jan. 16th to Queenstown arriving Jan. 26th, red "Aachen, Franco 29/1" framed transit; slightly reduced at right, expertly restored along edges, otherwise Very Fine, unusual quadruple-rate franking, otherwise Very Fine, unusual quadruple-rate franking, ex-Wagshal.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.

A RARE 30¢ 1860 ISSUE PAIR AT DOUBLE THE 30¢ PRUSSIAN CLOSED MAIL RATE TO GERMANY. Est. $2,000-3,000 (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000

1861 (Apr. 6) New York N.Y. to Pulsnitz bei Dresden, Saxony. Light buff cover bearing 30¢ orange (38) cancelled by red NYFM circular grid cancel, matching "N.York, Am. Pkt. '7 Paid, Apr 6" credit exchange cds, carried by Inman Line City of Baltimore from New York Apr. 6th to Queenstown arriving Apr. 18th, red "Aachen, Franco 20/4" framed handstamp; German (4.22) arrival backstamp, Extremely Fine and choice, with 1980 and 2004 P.F. certificates.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

A BEAUTIFUL 30¢ 1860 ISSUE USE TO GERMANY WITH ALL POSTAL MARKINGS STRUCK IN RED. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

1861 (Jul. 14) Washington D.C. to Lechhausen bei Augsburg, Bavaria. "Washington D.C., Jul 14, 1861" cds ties 30¢ orange (38) on embossed "Union Forever" Flag Patriotic cover, partial strike of red "N.York, Br. Pkt. '7 Paid' Jul. 17" credit exchange cds, carried by Cunard Line Persia from New York Jul. 17th to Queenstown arriving Jul. 26th, partial red Aachen Franco framed transit, Lechhausen (7.30) arrival backstamp; reduced slightly at left, 30¢ slightly scissor separated at top with intact perfs, otherwise Very Fine.
Scott No. 38; $7,500 on a patriotic cover; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

A RARE 30¢ 1860 ISSUE USE ON A CIVIL WAR PATRIOTIC COVER TO GERMANY.

This "Union Forever" Flag patriotic cover was mailed the day after the Battle of Bull Run, the first major Civil War battle and a win for the Confederacy. Scott $7,500 on a patriotic cover
Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Scott $7,500 on a patriotic cover
Est

1863 (Jul. 28) Washington D.C. to Aerzen, Hanover. Small cover bearing 1¢ blue (63), 3¢ rose (65) and 24¢ steel blue (70b), all tied by "Washington D.C., Jul 28" double-circle datestamp, red "N.York, Br. Pkt. '7 Paid' Jul 30" credit exchange cds, carried by Cunard Line Persia from New York Jul. 29th to Queenstown arriving Aug. 7th, red "Aachen Franco 10/8" framed transit, blue Aerzen (8.11) arrival backstamp; some light soiling slightly affecting stamps, F.-V.F. appearance.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1864 (May 6) Wabash Ill. to Nieder-Ingelheim. Orange cover bearing three 30¢ orange (71) singles, right two nat. s.e. at right, slight creases and tiny tear in one, cancelled by grids, matching partial "Wabash Ill. May 6" cds, red "New York, Br. Pkt. 'Paid' May 10" exchange cds and red crayon "14" cent credit rating, carried by Cunard Europa from Boston May 11th to Queenstown arriving May 22nd, red "Aachen, Franco" framed transit, several transit backstamps including Nieder-Ingelheim arrival cds; some minor wear, still Very Fine and rare franking prepaying triple the 30¢ Prussian Closed Mail rate.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

Although this cover is prepaid at three-times the 30¢ Prussian Closed Mail rate, the New York exchange office credited only two-times the corresponding 7¢ credit. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750