1796 (Sep. 7) London, England to Philadelphia Pa. Folded cover with red London (9.7) cds and manuscript "1/" rating for 1s packet fee, carried by Falmouth packet Princess of Wales from Falmouth Sep. 24th via Halifax Oct. 19th to New York arriving Oct. 26th, New York manuscript "10" cent rating for 60-100 miles inland, docketed as received Oct. 27th, file fold, Fine.
Estimate; $50 - 75. Est. $50-75 (Image)

Est. $50-75

1815 (May 2) London, England to Providence, R.I. Folded letter with red "Post Paid Withdrawn Ship Letter London" double-circle datestamp on flap and red New York cds and matching "Ship" handstamp with manuscript "53" rate (2 x 17¢ plus 50% war rate surcharge + 2¢ ship fee), F.-V.F., ex-Hahn.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

The Act of October 10th 1814, made it illegal to place an outbound letter on any ship privately, unless the letter had first been presented to the British Post Office and a fee paid equal to one-third of the combined inland and sea packet postage. Upon payment, the letter received the "Withdrawn Ship Letter" handstamp and the sender was allowed to send the letter by any ship of his choice. In that the Post Office was providing no service at all for this little used and unpopular act, it as terminated on July 11th 1815. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1848 (May 1) New York N.Y. to Francomont, Belgium. Blue datelined folded letter endorsed "via Ostend", carried as endorsed by Cunard Line Acadia from Boston May 3rd to Liverpool arriving May 16th, red London (5.17) backstamp transit and manuscript "1/8" debit rating, red Ostend transit backstamp and matching Belgian framed accountancy handstamp, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $100 - 150. Est. $100-150 (Image)

Est. $100-150

(Retaliatory Rates) 1848 (Aug. 17) Glasgow, Scotland to New York N.Y. Datelined folded letter with red orange "Glasgow, Paid, Aug. 17, 1848" octagonal datestamp with red manuscript "2/-" shilling double packet rating, carried by Cunard Line Niagara from Liverpool Aug. 19th to New York arriving Aug. 31st, New York red "24" cent due handstamp in error for single rate packet crossed out with blue manuscript and updated to "48" cents double weight rate, Very Fine.
Estimate; $75 - 100. Est. $75-100 (Image)

Est. $75-100

(Retaliatory Rates) 1848 (Sep. 5) New York N.Y. to London, England. Datelined folded letter addressed in care of Baring Bros. with New York pencil "29" cent rating for 24¢ packet fee plus 5¢ postage, carried as endorsed by Cunard Line Britannia from Boston Sep. 6th to Liverpool arriving Sep. 19th, red London (9.20) backstamps, forwarded within London with G.B. 1d red tied by "19" oval grid, Very Fine and choice forwarded transatlantic use.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

(Retaliatory Rates) 1848 (Nov. 1) Antwerp, Belgium to Castine, Me. Folded letter written at quarantine grounds near Antwerp by sailing ship captain who crossed the Atlantic through a hurricane and arrived at Antwerp, it was carried privately to London and posted with "Fenchurch St" straightline postmark, red London "Paid, 10 NO 1848" transit and red manuscript "1/-" shilling prepaid packet rating, carried by Cunard Line Cambria from Liverpool Nov. 11 to New York arriving Nov. 25, red "New York 'Ship 34cts Nov 25" entry cds for 10¢ inland postage plus 24¢ packet fee, Very Fine and interesting retaliatory rate cover from Belgium, ex-Winter.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

1849 (May 14) Conception, Chile to New York, via Panama. Folded letter with black oval "Forwarded By Zachrisson, Nelson & Co., Panama" forwarding agent handstamp, entered mails with "New Orleans Aug 4" cds and matching "Steam / 40" two-line rating handstamp, interesting three-page letter from Lumber Mill operator J. Woodhaus to Joshua Brooks with much focus on the California Gold Rush, Very Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1850 (Jun. 10) "Off Charges, Panama, On Board Steamer Crescent City". Folded letter with black two-line "Steam Ship 20" rate sent from the Steamer Crescent City to New Haven, Conn, interesting letter from brother to brother with California Gold Rush content, with interesting anecdote of the George Gordon Association that sailed from New York in February of 1849 bound for the California gold fields via Nicaragua, Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

Josiah W. Blake was the leader of a company of prospective gold miners en route to California by way of the route across the Isthmus of Panama. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1850 (Oct. 22) Tapalpa, Mexico to San Diego, Cal. Folded letter datelined "Tabsica de Papel en Tapalpa, Oct. 22nd 1850", entered mails with "FRANCO EN / TAPALPA" two-line postmark and manuscript "Obre 26" date and "Franco", endorsed "por San Blass / Y el Paquete de Vapor" at bottom left, red fancy "Forwarded" script handstamp and matching framed "30" rating handstamp, some interesting content including "I have made sale of fifteen thousand dollars worth of Copper since the arrival of the boys and 14000 in the month of Dec last…"; faulty with aging, Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1852-1860, U.S. to Spain Transatlantic Mail. Group of 6 covers including 1852 (Mar. 9) via London to Cadiz with various markings including Boston "5" debit rating and red "18R" final due rating; 1860 with red "New York 'Paid 18' May 1" exchange cds and "4R" handstamp, and 1859 New York with blue "Franco" paid handstamp, etc., F.-V.F.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1854 (Aug. 12) Atlanta Ga. to Lancashire, England. Orange buff cover with "Atlanta Ga. Aug 12" cds with matching "Paid" straightline h.s. and manuscript "24" prepaid rating, red New York "3" credit rating handstamp for American Packet, carried by Collins Line Atlantic from New York to Liverpool arriving on Aug. 30th, red "Paid In America, Liverpool, 30 AU 54" entry datestamp, Bury (8.30) arrival backstamp, original enclosed letter; minor wear, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $100 - 150. Est. $100-150 (Image)

Est. $100-150

1855 (Sep. 2) Wisconsin to Zurich, Switzerland. Blue folded letter datelined "Scandinarvie, 2nd September 1855", entered mails with indistinct Wisc. cds and "Paid 35" rating, red "New-York, Am. Pkt. Sep 19" exchange backstamp and magenta "12" credit rating, carried by Collins Line Atlantic from New York Sep. 19th to Liverpool arriving Sep. 30th, red "Aachen 2/10 Franco" framed handstamp and blue rating, F.-V.F. and early Wisconsin transatlantic use.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

1856 (Jul. 29) Peoria Ill. to Massevaux, France. Cover bearing 1¢ blue (9) and 10¢ green, type III (15) horizontal pair, four margins, tied by open grid cancels, matching "Peoria Ills Jul 29" cds, red "New York Am. Pkt. Aug 2" exchange cds, carried by Collins Line Ericsson from New York Aug. 2nd to Liverpool arriving Aug. 17th, red London (8.18) transit backstamp, Calais (8.19) entry cds with matching "8" decimes due handstamp, Massevaux (8.20) arrival backstamp, 1¢ tiny corner crease, a Very Fine use at the 21¢ American packet rate.
Estimate; $250 - 350. Est. $250-350 (Image)

Est. $250-350

1857 (Jun. 1) Mobile, Ala. to Augsbourg, Bavaria. Printed prices current bearing two 1¢ blue (7) singles, one large margins and other large to slightly in, tied by sharp "Mobile Ala. Jun 1" cds, endorsed "Open Printed Circular" at top, Calais "Am. Serv." (6.27) transit cds, blue crayon "7" due rating, reverse with "Bahnn.augsburg, 29/6" arrival backstamp, Very Fine and scarce printed matter use.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1857, 1858 (Jun. 30, Jan. 26) Boston Mass. to Clipper Ship Eagle Wing at Hong Kong, China. Pair of letters from Theodore Chase to Capt. Robert H. Waters, 1857 (Jun. 30) addressed in care of Messrs Russell & Co. at Canton, China, probably carried transatlantic by Cunard Line Europa departing Boston Jul. 1st to Liverpool arriving Jul. 11th, docketed on reverse "Recd Sept 9th 1857 Hong Kong"; 1858 (Jan. 26) probably carried transatlantic by Cunard Line America departing Boston Jan. 27th to Liverpool Feb. 9th, docketed on reverse to Hong Kong but actually received in New York May 19th upon her return, Very Fine.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

A RARE PAIR OF LETTERS TO THE WELL-KNOWN CLIPPER SHIP "EAGLE WING" AT HONG KING, CHINA.

The "Eagle Wing" was a medium clipper ship built in 1853 at Medford Mass. of 1,174 tons. She made several passages to China in the 1850s and sailed from Shanghai Feb. 4th 1858 to New York arriving in 103 days, when the second letter was sent. Content concerns business matters including freight account and second letter mentions additional commission fees charged by Messrs. Russell & Co. for procuring freight to New York. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1857 (Dec. 12) New Orleans La. to Amsterdam, Holland. Blue folded letter bearing 5¢ red brown (12), close margins to slightly in, tied by "New Orleans La. Dec 12" cds, red "New-York Br. Pkt. Dec 23" exchange cds, carried by Cunard Line Europa from New York Dec. 23rd to Liverpool arriving Jan. 4th, red London (1.4) transit backstamp with manuscript "1/" shilling debit rating, red Amsterdam (1.6) arrival backstamp with manuscript "80" Dutch cents due rating, red crayon "210" on reverse; partial of address inked out, Fine.
Estimate; $250 - 350.

ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED 5¢ 1856 ISSUE COVER TO THE NETHERLANDS.

As an indication of rarity, this destination was missing from the massive 5¢ 1856 collection formed and exhibited by Frederick R. Mayer. The other recorded cover is:
1857 Feb. 18, New Orleans La. to Amsterdam, Holland (ex-Robertson). Est. $250-350 (Image)

Est. $250-350

1857 (Dec. 24) Havana, Cuba to Edinburg, Scotland via Charleston S.C. Datelined folded letter, entered mails with "Charleston S.C. Dec 28 1857" cds and matching "Steam-Ship" oval handstamp with red crayon "29" cent due rating for 5¢ U.S. transit plus 24¢ transatlantic packet fee, red "New-York Br. Pkt. Jan 6" exchange cds and black "10" cent circled debit rating, carried by Cunard Line Persia from New York Jan. 6th to Liverpool arriving Jan. 16th, Liverpool (1.16) transit backstamp with matching rare "ART-2" and "1/2½" one shilling 2½ pence due rating handstamps, Edinburgh (1.17) backstamp; some receipt docketing, Very Fine and rare, ex-Shephard.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

1861 (Mar. 8) Rotterdam to Watertown, Wis. Folded letter with Rotterdam (3.8) origin cds sent unpaid, red Havre (3.10) transit and black "24" cent debit h.s. to U.S., carried by Inman Line City of Baltimore from Queentown Mar. 14 to New York arriving Mar. 28, black "New York '42' Mar 28" debit exchange cds; some edgewear and tiny nick, F.-V.F., the only recorded example of this "24" Havre debit marking.
Estimate; $100 - 150.

Letter sent unpaid in the French mails, entering France at the exchange office of Valenciennes from Belgium. Paris sent letter to Havre exchange office in accordance with the endorsement at the upper left. Havre marked letter for a 36¢ debit to the U.S. (correct debit for a double rate letter sent by British packet), then corrected to 24¢, the debit by American packet from G.B. New York marked letter for 2x21¢ postage due. Est. $100-150 (Image)

Est. $100-150

1862 (Dec 18) New York to Bale, Switzerland. Printed circular franked with 1¢ blue (63) pair, tied by "New York Dec 18 62" cds with Calais entry cds 23 Dec, reverse with Basel (12.27) receiver; light fold wear, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1871 (Feb. 18) Detroit Mich. to Perthshire, Scotland. Red "Detroit Paid All Direct Feb 18" exchange cds on cover bearing 6¢ carmine (148), cancelled by neat circular grid cancel, carried by Allan Line Moravia from Portland Feb. 19th to Liverpool arriving Mar. 2nd, Liverpool Paid U.S. Packet (3.6.71) arrival cds, reverse with Sterling (3.6) and Callander (3.7) transits, original 1871 enclosure, 6¢ couple tiny perf tears, F.-V.F., a scarce Detroit exchange office use.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

1874 (Dec. 20) Philadelphia Pa. to Russikon, Switzerland. Blue folded letter bearing 10¢ brown (161) tied by Philadelphia three-bar grid foreign mail cancel, Philadelphia merchant oval, endorsed "Per Str. Mosel from New York" at top, red "New York Paid All via Eng. & Ostd. Dec 20" exchange cds, Basel (1.2.74) backstamp, Very Fine and choice use, ex-Mercedes, Kirke, Richards.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

This cover was carried privately from Philadelphia to New York City after cancellation, and not postmarked until handled by the New York exchange office. It was carried on NGL Line "Mosel" arriving at Southampton on December 31, 1873. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1875 (Mar. 13) Youghal, Ireland to Sailors Home N.Y. Cover bearing G.B. 3d tied by "450" rectangular grid duplexed with "C, Youghal, MR 13 75" cds, rectangular "Insufficiently / Prepaid" framed handstamp, carried by Cunard Line Calabria from Liverpool Mar. 13th to New York arriving Mar. 24th, "New York 'Due 13 U.S. Currency' May 24" depreciated currency cds; reduced slightly at right, Very Fine.
Estimate; $100 - 150. Est. $100-150 (Image)

Est. $100-150

1898 (Sep 22), Foreign Mail, Santiago de Cuba to Prague. Cover bearing 5¢ blue (281) tied by "Military Station Sep 22 98" duplex to Prague, Austria, reverse with New York Barry machine transit and "Praha 20 10 98" receiver, F.-V.F., a nice usage.
Scott No. 281; Estimate $100 - 150. Est. $100-150 (Image)

Est. $100-150

(A.E.F. Siberia) U.S.S. New Orleans, Jul 13, 1920 "Vladivostok, Siberia". Duplex with slogan cancel ties 1¢ Wash. on Russian 50k bank note addressed to another sailor on U.S.S. Solace at New York N.Y., readdressed to U.S.S. Pennsylvania upon arrival, a Very Fine and unusual use.
Estimate; $100 - 150. Est. $100-150 (Image)

Est. $100-150

Retaliatory Period Rates, 1848. Group of 6 covers including 1848 Aug. 18 London to Petersburg Va. double rate, 1848 Nov. 25 Liverpool to Boston double rate, 1848 Sep. 5th New York to Paris, France double rate, 1848 Sep. 4th London, England to Boston with red "29" handstamp, 1848 Jul. 3 Philadelphia to France at 29¢ rate, and 1848 Sep. 4th Baltimore Md. to France at 34¢ rate, F.-V.F., an excellent group of this interesting rate period.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400