1856 (May 6) New Haven Ct. to Munich, Germany. Cover bearing 10¢ green, type III (15) strip of three, large margins to clear at top, tied by magenta grid cancels, matching "New Haven Con. May 6, 1856" cds, endorsed "Via Prussian Closed Mail" at top left, sharp strike of red "Boston, Br. Pkt. ' Paid 7' May 7" credit exchange cds, carried by Cunard Line Arabia from Boston May 7th to Liverpool arriving May 18th, red "Aachen Franco, 20/5" framed transit, partial Munich arrival backstamp; no back flap, Very Fine and attractive prepaid use at the 30¢ PCM rate.
Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1860 (Oct. 31) Metamora, Ill. to Triensbach, Württemberg. Buff cover bearing 12¢ black (36B), strip of four and single, tied by grid cancels, matching over-inked "Metamora, Ill. Oct 31" cds, sharp red "N.York, Br. Pkt. 'Paid 14' Nov 7" credit exchange cds, carried by Cunard Line Asia from New York Nov. 7th to Queenstown arriving Nov. 18th, red "Aachen, Franco 20/11" framed handstamp also ties strip, reverse with Stuttgart transit and arrival cds; corners improved, Fine and rare 12¢ 1857 Issue multiple use prepaying double the 30¢ Prussian Closed Mail.
Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1859 (Mar. 29) Philadelphia Pa. to Oberschwörstadt, Baden. Cover bearing 5¢ red brown (28) and 10¢ green, type II (32), each tied by circular grid cancel, matching "Philadelphia Pa., Mar 10, 1859" octagon datestamp, red "N.York, Hamb. Pkt. 'Paid 17' Apr 1" credit exchange cds, carried by Hapag Line Borussia from New York Apr. 1st to Hamburg arriving Apr. 14th, backstamps include Hamburg (4.15) transit and Grennet (4.17) transits; cover repaired with stamps lifted and replaced, 10¢ light stain, Very Fine appearance and rare 5¢ red brown type I 1857 issue use.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

The sender of this cover was aware of the reduction in the Bremen rate six months earlier and wrote "Bremen Steamer, Paid 15 cts." at left. That steamer, "Weser", was damaged at sea and not scheduled to carry mail on its April 2nd 1859 sailing. Despite prepayment of only 15¢, the New York exchange office sent it as a fully prepaid 22¢ letter on the Hamburg packet. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1859 (Sep. 10) New Orleans La. to Suttgart, Württemberg. Buff cover bearing 5¢ brown (29) vertical strip of three, scissor separation leaving full intact perfs all around, tied by two bold "New Orleans La. Sep 10, 1859" cds datestamps, red "N. York, Hamb. Pkt. 'Paid 10' Oct 1" credit exchange cds, carried by Hapag Line Borussia from New York Oct. 1st to Hamburg arriving Oct. 16th, reverse with Hamburg (10.16) transit and Württemberg (10.17) arrival cds; light staining at bottom, otherwise Very Fine use at the 15¢ Bremen-Hamburg packet rate, with 1992 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1869 (May 8) New York N.Y. to Leipzig, Saxony. Cover bearing 3¢ ultramarine (114) and 12¢ Green (117), nat. s.e., each tied by NYFM circle of rounded wedges cancels, red "New York, Paid All, Br. Transit, Nov 3" cds, carried by Inman Line City of Baltimore from New York May 8th to Queenstown arriving May 17th, red "Verviers, Coeln, Franco" (5.20) four-line transit, May 21st arrival backstamp; repaired tear and small hole, Very Fine appearance, ex-Heimburger.
Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1871, 1873 (c., Oct. 23) United States to Leipzig, Saxony. Blue correspondence pair, each bearing 7¢ orange vermilion (160), one tied by "Mich., Oct 23" duplex with cork cancel, red "New York, Paid All, Br. Transit, Oct 29" exchange cds for the 7¢ Closed Mail rate effective Oct. 1871 to June 1875, other tied by circle of wedges fancy cancel, red "Boston, Paid All, Direct" exchange at the 7¢ Direct Mail rate effective only August 1870 to June 1871, Very Fine pair of 7¢ Bank Note uses at the two solo German use.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1856 (Jul. 18, Sep. 27) United States to Germany by American Packet. Two buff covers via Collins Line, "Bloomfield N.J., Jul 18" cds with fancy scroll "Paid" handstamp and ms. "21" rating to Suizbach an der Murr, Württemberg, red "New-York, Am. Pkt. Jul 19" exchange cds, carried by Collins Line Baltic from New York Jul. 19th to Liverpool arriving Jul. 30th, Prussian "14/6" rating totaled to "20" kr due; second with "Rondout N.Y. Sep 22, 1856" cds and matching "Paid" handstamp and ms. "21" rating, red "New-York, Am. Pkt. Sep 27" exchange cds, carried by Collins Line Atlantic from New York Sep. 27th to Liverpool arriving Oct. 9th, Prussian "14/3" rating totaled to "17" kr. due; some edge wear, Very Fine exhibit pair.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1861 (Jun. 8) Spanish Flat Cal. to Biasca, Switzerland. Yellow cover bearing 10¢ green (35) strip of three, each cancelled and tied by three strikes of bold "Paid 10" in circle, matching "Spanish Flat, Cal. Jun '8' " balloon-style cds (Williams ELD-3780), red "N.York, Brem. Pk. 'Paid' Jul 6" exchange cds and magenta "16" cent credit rating, carried by NGL Line Bremen from New York Jul. 6th to Bremerhaven arriving Jul. 19th, blue America/über Bremen/Franco" three-line handstamp, reverse transits include Frankfurt (7.21) and Basel (7.22); edge cosmetically improved, Very Fine and attractive use.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

The Prussian Closed Mail rate to Switzerland was 35¢, since this was only prepaid 30¢, it was accepted and rerouted via Bremen mails at the 19¢ treaty rate. It could also have been sent by PCM for Aachen marked "Paid to Border". Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1866 (Aug. 25) New York N.Y. to Furth, Bavaria. Light buff cover with preprinted Seligman, Bendit & Sohne address bearing 2¢ black (73) pair, two 3¢ rose (65) singles and two 10¢ green (68) singles, tied by strikes of NYFM grid cancel, red "N.York Brem. Pkt. 'Paid 24' Aug 25" exchange cds, carried NGL Line Bremen from New York Aug. 25th to Bremen arriving Sep. 8th, blue "America/über Bremen/Franco" three-line handstamp, Furth (9.10) arrival backstamp; cosmetic cover repairs, left 10¢ small corner repair, Very Fine appearance.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

The letter was properly paid for the 28¢ Prussian closed mail rate, but must have weighed just over ½ oz. Since 2 x 28¢ = 56¢ had not been paid for this route, the New York exchange office clerk sent the letter in the Bremen mail at two-times the 15¢ Bremen rate = 30¢ rate and accepted the 2¢ short payment. The New York marking shows a credit to Bremen of 2 x 12¢ = 24¢. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1835, 1841 United States to Germany via Union Line. Two folded letters: 1835 (Apr. 8) New York N.Y. to Undingen, Württemberg carried by Union Line Francis Depau from New York Apr. 10th, French "Pays D'Outremer/Par Le Havre" framed handstamp with red crayon "48" kr final due rating; 1841 (Jun. 28) Plymouth Mass. to Göttingen, Hanover carried by Union Line Oneida from New York Jul. 1st to Le Havre arriving Jul. 22nd, red "Outre Mer, Le Havre" (7.22) arrival cds with red crayon "42" kr and red ms. "9½" ggr final due rating.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1873 (Oct. 27) United States to Großeutersdorf, Saxony. Orange buff cover bearing 6¢ carmine (148) canceled by boxed "X", matching indistinct Oct. 27th cds, partial red "New York, Paid All, Direct, Oct 30" exchange cds ties 6¢, carried by Hapag Line Wesphalia from New York Oct. 30th to Hamburg arriving Nov. 12th, red "Hamburg, Franco, 12/11 73" framed transit, sharp strike of black "Recommandirt" fancy framed handstamp and blue crayon "2" sgr due rating, Nov. 13th arrival backstamp, forwarded to Alkersleben, Nov. 15th arrival backstamp, Very Fine and unusual registered due use.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

This cover was sent via ordinary mail, but upon entry or forwarding in Germany it was marked "Recommandirt" and marked "2" sgr due for the registered fee. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

(Scandinavia) 1859 (Nov. 29) Clermont, Iowa to Hadelland, Norway. Buff cover bearing 10¢ green, type II (32) and 12¢ black (36) pair and single, each tied together by rim of cds, strike of "Clermont, Ioa., Nov 26" balloon-style cds at bottom right, red "New-York, Am. Pkt., Dec 3" exchange cds and magenta "23" cent credit, carried by Inman Line Vigo from New York Dec. 3rd to Liverpool arriving Dec. 17th, red "Aachen, Franco" framed transit and magenta "6½" sgr credit, Christiana (12.29) arrival backstamp; left 12¢ repaired, middle trimmed perfs at right, cover reduced at right, light wear and soiling, Fine and rare 1857 Issue use at the 46¢ Prussian Closed Mail rate.
Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

(Scandinavia) 1859 (Jul. 5) Knight's Ferry, Cal. to Dahlarna Mora, Sweden. Cover bearing two 1¢ blue (24) singles, 10¢ green (33) single and 10¢ green (35) strip of three, each canceled by open grid cancels, matching "Knights Ferry, Cal. Jul 5" cds, magenta "Paid 42" rating, partial red New York Jul. 30th exchange backstamp and matching "19" credit handstamp, carried by Vanderbilt Ariel from New York Jul. 30th to Southampton arriving Aug. 12th, red "Aachen, Franco 14/8" framed handstamp and blue ms. "f5" sgr credit rating; no flap; faults, no back flap and light staining, Fine and rare 1857 Issue franking at the 42¢ Prussian Closed Mail rate to Sweden.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

(India) 1870 (Nov. 18) Northampton Mass. to Calcutta, India. Benjamin Smith Lyman correspondence cover bearing 3¢ ultramarine (114) and 1¢ ultramarine (145), each tied by four-ring target cancels duplexed with "Northampton Ms. Nov 18" double-circle datestamp, black "New-York Nov 19" backstamp and matching "Insufficiently Paid" straightline with blue crayon "6", changed to "4" with "Calcutta" underlined and and annotated "Ret. for postage", red "New-York, Dec 15" exchange cds ties stamps and matching "Insufficiently Paid" straightline handstamp, carried by Cunard Line Aleppo from New York Dec. 15th to Queenstown arriving Dec. 26th, red London (12.27) transit and "PAID-ONLY/TO ENGLAND" two-line handstamp, routed via Brindisi with blue Verviers-Cologne transit (1.12) backstamp, Bombay (1.20) transit and Calcutta (1.24) arrival backstamps, "St. Bo. A-P 8-8" due handstamp (8 annas - 8 pie, or 26¢ U.S.), with original enclosure; 3¢ stamp with small tear, cover with sealed tear at top affecting postmark and minor repair along top left edge, a Very Fine use, ex-Coulter, Bailar, with 2015 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $3,000 - 4,000.

A SPECTACULAR 1869 AND BANK NOTE MIXED-ISSUE USE DEMONSTRATING THE COMPLEXITIES OF FOREIGN-MAIL RATES DURING THE 1869-70 PERIOD.

The 1870 US-UK agreement allowed partial payment of 4¢ on mail to or through England, but the New York foreign mail clerk rejected the prepayment. This letter would normally have gone in British Mail via Marseilles, but in November 1870 overland routes through France were closed due to the Franco-Prussian War. The British Post Office sent it via Ostende (Belgium) and Coeln (Germany) through the Brenner Pass to Brindisi, then to Alexandria, Egypt by Italian or British packet. It went to India on a steamship of the British Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co.

India did not apply the correct surcharge for this route, instead applying the old 8a-8p due marking for mail via Marseilles route (30¢ less 4¢ because of the "Paid Only to England" marking). The Via Brindisi route was in use for less than nine months.

Benjamin Smith Lyman was a mining engineer for the Department of Public Works in India. Est. $3,000-4,000 (Image)

Est. $3,000-4,000

(Ottoman Empire) 1874 (Mar. 7) Fort Garland, Colorado Terr. to Cairo, Egypt. Cover from the Lieut. Col. James Basell correspondence bearing 3¢ green (158) and 7¢ orange vermilion (160) horizontal pair tied by light quartered cork cancels, matching "Fort Garland, Colo., Mar 7" third-type cds, red "New York, Paid All, May 17" exchange cds and red crayon "10" cent credit rating, carried by Guion Manhattan from New York Mar. 17th to Queenstown arriving Mar. 29th, "P.D." paid direct handstamp and blue crayon "Wf 4" credit rating, reverse with Brindisi and Alexandria (4.10) transits, Cairo arrival postmark, with original four-page enclosure with interesting content regarding events at the fort and Indian problems in area "…It is just possible that the hostile attitude of Mr Lo. in various parts of the county may stay the already whetted axe and uplifted hand already to send the fatal blow. One officer & some men so far - Lt. Robinson - have been killed by the Sioux. I believe, the Hualapi Apachi in Arizona appear to be on the eve of an attack"; repaired cover nick at lower left edge and backflap refolded to show stamps that were folded over edge, F.-V.F. appearance, A wonderful usage to Egypt from Fort Garland at the 17¢ Closed Mail rate., ex-Bauer.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

(Ottoman Empire) 1869 (Jun. 8) Newark, N.J. to Beirut, Syria. Yellow cover with preprinted address bearing two 10¢ yellow green, F Grill (96) singles, different shades, one slightly creased, each cancelled by cork duplexed with "Newark, N.J. Jun 8" cds, red "New York, Paid All, Br. Transit, May 9" exchange backstamp (wrong month) and matching red "5" cent in circle credit handstamp, carried by Cunard Line Java from New York Jun. 9th to Queenstown arriving Jun. 18th, red "Verviers, Cologne, Franco" (6.20) transit and matching "Wfco 2" credit handstamp, Trieste (6.22) transit backstamp, Beirut (7.5) arrival cds, repaired at top center, backflap removed, right 10¢ creased, Fine, A colorful and rare usage to Syria at the 20¢ North German Union Mails rate.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

(Ottoman Empire) 1870 (Apr. 19) Middleborough, Mass. to Constantinople, Turkey. Tissue paper cover from the Washburn correspondence bearing 15¢ brown & blue (119), rich colors, cancelled by cork duplexed with "Middleborough, Mass. Apr 19" cds and tied by red "Boston, Paid All, Direct, Apr 20" exchange cds, red crayon "5" credit rating, carried by NGL Line Hermann from New York Apr. 21st to Bremen arriving May 4th, red "Bremen, Franco, 4/5 70" framed transit and matching red "Weiterfr. 2 Sgr" framed handstamp restating credit in silbergroschen, Norddeutsche Post (5.9) arrival backstamp; small edge repair at top just affecting cds rim, Very Fine appearance.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.

ONE OF FINEST OF ONLY SIX RECORDED 15¢ 1869 COVERS TO TURKEY.

In US publications, quotes of postage rates were given for "Turkey", which actually. Est. $1,500-2,000 (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000

(Scandinavia) 1870 (Jul. 7) Hartford, Conn. to Gothenburg, Sweden. Warner correspondence cover bearing 2¢ brown (113), 3¢ blue (114) pair and 10¢ yellow (116), vibrant color, all tied by segmented grid cancels duplexed with indistinct Hartford, Ct. July 8th cds, endorsed "via N. German Union" at lower left, red "New York, Paid All, Direct, Jul 9" exchange backstamp and red "4" cent credit handstamp, carried by NGL Line Main from New York Jul. 9th to Southampton arriving Jul. 19th, red "Bremen, Franco, 21/7 70" framed transit and and matching partial strike of "Weiterfr. 1½ Sgr" framed credit handstamp (paid beyond); cover repaired at left, Very Fine appearance.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

A SCARCE 1869 ISSUE USE TO SWEDEN WITH AN ATTRACTIVE THREE-COLOR FRANKING. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

(Holland) 1858 (Sep. 14) New Orleans La. to Aalten, Holland. Folded cover bearing 10¢ green, types III-III-IV (33-33-34) strip of three, bright color, tied by "New Orleans, La. Sep 14, 1859" cds, black "Boston, Br. Pkt., 22 Sep" exchange backstamp, red "7" credit handstamp, carried by Cunard Line Asia from Boston Sep. 22nd to Liverpool arriving Oct. 2nd, red matching "Aachen, Franco 5/10" and "Franco Preuss./resp:Vereinsl:Ausg:Gr" framed handstamps, Aalten (10.6) arrival backstamp; light vertical fold away from stamps, Very Fine, with 2006 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.

A RARE 10¢ TYPE III-III-IV STRIP OF THREE ON COVER TO HOLLAND.

This cover was prepaid at the 30¢ Prussian Closed Mail rate to the border of Germany. Est. $2,000-3,000 (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000

(Denmark) 1859 (Aug. 4) Georgetown Cal. to Burg, Schleswig, Denmark. Buff cover bearing two 10¢ green (33) singles, each cancelled by neat "15" fancy handstamp, matching "Georgetown Cal., Aug 4, 1859" cds, partial strike of red "N.York, Hamb. Pkt. 'Paid' Sep 15" credit exchange cds and red crayon "5" credit at upper right, carried by Hapag Line Saxonia from New York Sep. 1st to Hamburg arriving Sep. 15th, Hamburg (9.17) transit backstamp and "Franco" handstamp ties stamps; minor cosmetic edge repairs and reduced slightly at top, Very Fine appearance.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

A RARE USE AT THE 20¢ BREMEN-HAMBURG RATE TO DENMARK.

Although slower, Hamburg was an affordable alternative to Prussian Closed Mail. The 20¢ rate to Denmark was 15¢ cheaper. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

1854 (Apr. 20) Cleveland, Oh. to to Baureuth, Bavaria. Buff cover bearing 5¢ red brown (12), full to large margins, tied by "Washington, Iowa May 14" cds, black "New York, Br. Pkt. '23' May 19" debit exchange datestamp, red Aachen (6.2) transit backstamp and blue ms. "45" kreuzer due marking, Baureuth (6.4) arrival backstamp; some overall wear, expertly repaired along edges incl. top flap reattached, still Very Fine and scarce use, ex-Rohloff, Mayer.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.

THE ONLY RECORDED USAGE OF THE OF THE 5¢ 1856 ISSUE TO BAVARIA, AND ONE OF ONLY SEVEN RECORDED SINGLE FRANKINGS TO GERMANY. Est. $1,500-2,000 (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000

1857 (Aug. 28) Cedar Rapids, Ia. to Steinheim am Aalbuch, Württemberg. Buff cover bearing 10¢ green, type II (32) strip of three, right stamp with trimmed perfs, tied by matching strikes of "Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Aug 28" cds, black "New York Br. Pkt. '23' Sep 2" exchange debit cds, carried by Cunard Line Arabia from New York Sep. 2nd to Liverpool arriving Sep. 13th, Aachen blue manuscript "halbf" and "45" kr. due rating; some cover stains and wear, Fine and unusual Prussian Closed Mail postage due usage, ex-Winter.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

The New York exchange office weighed the letter and determined two rates were required. Existing regulations permitted sending the letter if at least one full rate was prepaid, with the remaining postage to be collected at destination. New York credited Prussia 7¢ for the one rate paid and debited Prussia 23¢ for the one rate unpaid. Aachen marked "halbf" in blue ink to indicate that half the rate was paid as an explanation for the additional postage due rate of 45 kreuzer, the remaining unpaid rate. This cover was referenced in Chronicle 181, parcel post. 58-67. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1859 (Jan. 3) United States to Büdesheim, Hesse. Orange buff cover bearing 10¢ green (32) and 12¢ black (36), tied by indistinct cds and red "N.York, Am. Pkt. 'Paid 7' Jan 8" credit exchange cds, carried by Havre Line Fulton from New York Jan. 8th to Southampton arriving Jan. 21st, red "Aachen, Franco 22/1" framed transit, German arrival backstamps; 10¢ stamp small tear, F.-V.F. and interesting accepted partial prepayment, with 1999 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

This cover was prepaid 22¢ for Bremen mails, but NGL Line Weser had suffered severe damage on its maiden voyage and could not sail on January 8th. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400