1789 (Dec. 19) Halifax, N.S. to Rothsay Manse (Isle of Bute), Scotland. Folded letter from W. Lyon endorsed "p. Snow Turner, Capt. Emslin", entered mails with "Greenock" straightline backstamp and matching "Ship" handstamp with manuscript "3" due for 2d inland postage plus 1d ship fee, Very Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1800 (Jul. 24) Windsor N.S. to Edinburgh, Scotland. Datelined folded letter carried by private ship to Plymouth, entered mails with "Ship-Letter, Plymouth" crown oval and manuscript "2/-" shilling due rating, red London backstamp and manuscript "3/4" rating for double weight 8d ship letter plus 1s4d Plymouth-London and 1s4d London-Edinburgh inland postage; some edge wear, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1800 (Jul. 25) Halifax N.S. to Rothsay, Isle of Bute, Scotland. Datelined folded letter endorsed "p William, Capt. Cambridge", entered mails with clear strike of "Ship Letter, Greenock" crown oval handstamp and manuscript "8" due rating for 4d ship letter rate plus 4d inland postage, contents describes a dislocation from Virginia to Halifax, clean and Very Fine.
Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1804 (Oct. 12) Halifax N.S. to London, England. Folded cover carried by private ship to Plymouth, entered mails with "Ship-Letter, Plymouth" crown oval and manuscript "2/2" due rating for double letter with 8d ship fee plus 1s6d inland postage, Very Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1806 (Mar. 3) London, England to Halifax N.S. Folded letter datelined "Kentishtown" carried privately to Halifax, entered mails with manuscript "3½" d. cy. rating for 2½d ship master's fee plus 1d local delivery; reinforced edge separations, Very Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1808 (Dec. 20) Halifax, N.S. to Rothsay, Isle of Bute, Scotland. Datelined folded letter by private ship to Liverpool, entered mails with red "Ship-Letter, Liverpool" crown oval and manuscript "1/3" due rating for 4d ship letter fee plus 11d inland postage; some extra ms. top right, Very Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1815 (Aug. 16) Aberdeen, Scotland to Pictou N.S. Datelined folded letter with sharp strike of "Post Paid Withdrawn Ship Letter, Aberdeen, 22 AU 1815" crown handstamp and magenta "P 1/4" as double-rate ship letter, carried as endorsed by Mary Brige directly to Pictou, Very Fine.
Estimate; $3,000 - 4,000.

A MOST UNUSUAL USAGE OF THE ABERDEEN WITHDRAWN SHIP LETTER POSTMARK.

The Withdrawn Ship letter scheme had been discontinued on July 31st 1815 and the Half Packet rate rule (valid from 1799) was apparently also not applied. A most unusual usage of the "Withdrawn" handstamp possibly due to the customary caution taken by the sender before handing over the letter to the ship's captain. Est. $3,000-4,000 (Image)

Est. $3,000-4,000

1818 (Oct. 30) via Halifax to London, England. Docketed folded cover originating outside Halifax as ship letter, entered mails with "Ship Letter, Halifax" crown oval and manuscript "1/1" due rating for 9d cy. inland plus 2d cy. ship letter charge, framed "Ship Letter" handstamp and manuscript "1/8" due rating for 8d ship letter rate plus 1s inland postage, red London (12.25) arrival backstamp, Very Fine, ex-Arnell.
Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1823 (May 10) London, England to St. John, New Brunswick. Datelined folded letter, endorsed "p. Scipio" to Halifax, entered mails with Halifax (6.10) cds and "Ship Letter, Halifax" crown oval with manuscript 1N7" cy. due rating for 6d stg. ship letter, 2d stg. captain's gratuity and 8d stg. inland postage, fresh and Very Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

1828 (Sep. 11) Liverpool, England to Truro, N.S. Datelined folded letter written by Capt. Christie, endorsed "p. Corsair", addressed to Ship Owner Alex Kent of Truro carried by his own ship Corsair to Halifax, entered mails with sharp "Halifax, OC 15 182" cds and matching "Ship Letter, Halifax" crown oval with manuscript "6" pence for 5d inland postage plus 1 ship letter fee, Very Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1829 (Jun. 1) Pictou N.S. to Edinburgh, Scotland. Datelined folded letter carried by private ship to Scotland, entered mails with "Greenock / Ship Letter" two-line handstamp and manuscript "1/4" rating for 8d ship letter plus 8d internal postage, reverse with Greenock (6.30) transit cds and red Edinburgh (7.1) arrival cds, "Add^l. ½" handstamp for ½d Scottish toll road tax, Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1831 (Nov. 16) Bedeque, Prince Edward Island to Luss, Scotland. Datelined folded letter carried by private ship from Halifax to Scotland, entered mails with "Greenock / Ship Letter" two-line handstamp on reverse along with Dec. 22nd cds, manuscript "1/3" for 6d ship letter rate, 2d captain's gratuity and 7d inland postage, updated to "1/4" for 1d to Luss, Scottish "Add^l. ½" handstamp for ½d toll road tax; some edge wear and soiling, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

Ship letter originating on Prince Edward Island are most uncommon and any ship would have transitted Nova Scotia on the way to Europe. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1835 (Aug. 28) Glasgow, Scotland to Pictou N.S. Docketed folded cover endorsed per "Acadian", entered mails with "Halifax N.S. SE, 1835" cds and "Ship Letter, Halifax" crown oval with manuscript "8" pence rating; small faults, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400