1845-1889, United States Mails to Australia. Group of 6 covers comprising 1845 privately carried letter from Sydney to Jacksonville Ill., 1867 Weaverville Cal. to Newcastle N.S.W. with 3¢ #65, 30¢ #71 at 33¢ rate; 1875 New York cover with 5¢ #179 tied by NYFM geometric to Melbourne at the 5¢ packet rate, 1876 Bristol R.I. to Melbourne with 5¢ #179 for 5¢ packet rate, 1870 c. Wells Fargo Express 3¢ entire missing stamp to Tasmania (unique use); 1889 New York NY ad cover with 2¢ #213, 10¢ #209 to Sydney and returned (additional cover partial cover affixed to front); some mixed condition, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

Complete Images. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Australian States: New South Wales, 1854 (May 9) Sydney, New South Wales to Clarkstown N.Y. via Panama. Datelined blue folded gold rush letter bearing New South Wales, 3d green, tied by barred oval, carried as endorsed by Steamer Golden Age from Sydney to Panama arriving Jun. 19th, across Isthmus by mule and canoe to Aspinwall, then U.S. Mail S.S. Co. vessel to New York where "Steamship 20" in circle due handstamp struck, Very Fine.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

A coaling stop was made at Tahiti, but this route involved unfavorable winds and ocean currents which led to high coal costs for this inefficient paddle steamer.

Apparently only two covers to the United States have survived from this "Golden Age" sailing, the this lot and the following lot. See "Golden Age", Forster, Dale, The Informer, Oct, 2011. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Australian States: South Australia, 1855 (Aug. 23) Adelaide, South Australia to San Francisco Cal. via Panama. Cover bearing South Australia, 2d dull carmine (2) strip of three, large margins except touched at right, cancelled by manuscript and circle of bars killers, red "Paid, Adelaide S.A., AU23, 1855" cds and matching "Registered No." straightline, red manuscript "6" pence prepaid rating for registration fee, carried by private ship across Pacific to Valparaiso, then ship to San Francisco where "20" due handstamp for 20¢ steamship rate over 2,500 miles; cover tears and nick at bottom right, Fine, with 1997 Holcombe certificate and signed by him.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.

A RARE SOUTH AUSTRALIA REGISTERED USE TO THE UNITED STATES.

References: Illustrated and Discussed in Milgrams "Foreign Registered Mail: 1855-1875, Part Two: British" in the Chronicle May 2019, p. 180, fig. 20. Est. $2,000-3,000 (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000

Australian States: New South Wales, 1856 (Feb. 14) Sydney, New South Wales to Boston Mass. via Valparaiso and New York. Datelined blue folded letter carried privately on ship Cronkbane to Valparaiso, entered mails with partial "Valparaiso, MY 6, 1856" backstamp and red "Paid at Valparaiso" crown mark with red crayon "4" shilling prepaid packet rating for quadruple the 1s packet rate to Panama, railroad across Isthmus, then USMSC vessel to New York where "N.York, Steamship" circular postmark and matching "80" in circle due handstamp for quadruple the 20¢ steamship rate, Very Fine.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

A RARE USE FROM THE AUSTRALIAN COLONIES TO THE UNITED STATES VIA THE BRITISH POST OFFICE AT VALPARAISO. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Australian States: Victoria, 1858 (Sep. 21) Melbourne, Victoria to Baltimore Md. via Panama and New York. Blue folded letter bearing Victoria, 1s blue, margins to touched, tied by numeral "1" barred circle, matching "Melbourne, SE-21 58" backstamp and framed "Detained for "2d" Postage" handstamp, red "G.P.O. Melbourne, Insufficiently Paid" oval handstamp, private ship to Panama, across the Isthmus by railroad, contract steamship to New York where "Steamship 10" circular due handstamp for 10¢ steamship rate struck, Very Fine.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

Letter was underpaid for the 14 pence rate via Southampton to the United States border. Since the additional 2 pence was not paid, it was sent via Panama. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1890 (Jan. 5) Port Chester N.Y. to Inglewood, Victoria. Cover bearing United States, 2¢ green (213) and 10¢ brown (209), tied by cork cancels duplexed with "Port Chester N.Y., Jan 5, 1890" cds, endorsed "via Europe", New York (1.15) transit backstamp, transatlantic steamship to London, carried by P&O Arcadia from Gravesend Jan. 24th through Suez Canal to Adelaide, train to Melbourne, reverse with Melbourne (3.4) transit and Inglewood (3.5) arrival cds; couple small edge tears and wear, F.-V.F. and scarce use.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

The United States 12¢ rate was equivalent to the 6d rate in the other direction. The United States credit to Great Britain was expressed in French centimes as per GPU regulations - 50 centimes was equivalent to 10¢ or 5 pence. Very little mail from United States to Australia was sent by the long sea route.

The 12¢ rate via Long Sea Route was the same as the rate via San Francisco across the Pacific Ocean. Here the sender found out letter would need to be held for the Feb. 8th sailing from San Francisco (which would arrive in Sydney on Mar. 6th), so a few days were saved by routing via Europe. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Australian States: South Australia, 1890 (Feb. 3) Adelaide, South Australia to New York N.Y. Blue cover bearing South Australia, 6d pale blue (80), tied by "S.Australia" barred circular duplexed with "Ship Mail Room, FE 3, 90" cds on blue cover, red crayon "2", carried by Orient Line Lusitania via Suez Canal, reverse with Plymouth (3.15) transit and New York "Paid All" (3.23) exchange arrival; reduced slightly at left, Very Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200.

Orient Line had monthly sailings between P&O sailings. Orient Line 6d Long Sea Route letter rate to the United States was effective from January 1889. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

Australian States: Victoria, 1853 (c., May) Melbourne, Australia to Canaan Me. Orange cover with embossed "Adams & Co., American and European Express, Melbourne, N.S.W." flap cameo and red "Adams & Co.'s Express, Melbourne N.S.W." framed handstamp, carried by General Screw Steamship Co. Harbinger via Mauritius and Cape of Good Hope to Southampton arriving Aug. 18th, "Forwarded by Edwards Sanford & Co., Liverpool" illustrated forwarders oval showing steamship, entered mails with Liverpool (8.19.53) backstamp and red "5/Cents" credit to U.S. handstamp, originally posted with G.B. 1s green embossed issue that is now missing, carried as endorsed by Cunard Line Europa from Liverpool Aug. 20th to Boston arriving Aug. 31st, red "Boston Br. Pkt. 'Paid 24' Aug 31" credit exchange cds, Very Fine appearance.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

ONE OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED EMBOSSED ADAMS MELBOURNE ENVELOPES, AND THE FINEST OF ONLY THREE RECORDED ADAMS MELBOURNE HANDSTAMPS.

The Adams Melbourne envelope and handstamp were probably produced in the United States. This sailing of the General Screw Steamship Co. "Harbinger" via Mauritius and Cape of Good Hope to Southampton arriving Aug. 18th was the first direct sailing from Australia to Southampton.. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

Australian States: Victoria, 1854 (c.) United States to Melbourne, Australia. Light buff cover endorsed "Per Express Adams & Co." at bottom left and rated "Collect" to miner endorsed at left: "He is now at or near Ballarat & information can be got to him there - it may be three or four months before he will call for this.", carried out of mails by Adams Express on private ship to Melbourne; reduced at right, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Australian States: Victoria, 1854 (Oct. 28) Melbourne, Victoria to Philadelphia Pa. Cover with original datelined letter bearing Victoria, 1s blue (18), tied by bold "1 V" barred numeral oval, matching "Melbourne, Victoria, OC 28, 1854" rimless oval, carried by Great Britain via Cape Horn to England, red "Liverpool, Ship, 24 JA 1855" framed handstamp and bold "3/Cents" debit handstamp to U.S., carried by Collins Line Atlantic from Liverpool Jan. 27th to New York arriving Feb. 9th, partial "Philadelphia, Am. Pkt. '24' Feb" due exchange cds, Very Fine.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

Inexplicably, some Victoria mail to the United States via England was treated as paid to England and some was not. There is no consistency found, so apparently this was at the whim of British postal clerks. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Australian States: Victoria, 1855 (Nov. 1) Greelong, Victoria to Harrisburg Pa. via New York. Registered cover bearing Victoria, 3d blue (SG 31) horizontal pair, large margins with rich color, and Victoria 1s registration (F1), large to huge margins, both tied by strikes of Greelong "2 V" barred numeral ovals, matching "Greelong, Victoria, NO 1, 1855" rimless oval backstamp, manuscript "6" pence debit, Melbourne transit backstamp, carried as endorsed by Clipper James Baines via Cape Horn to England, reverse with "Australian Packet, Liverpool, MR 4 * 55" transit cds and manuscript "Art 2", manuscript "1/" rating and "¢ 24" cent debit to U.S., carried by Collins Line Quaker City from Liverpool Mar. 5th to New York arriving Mar. 21st, "New.York Am. Packet, Mar 21" exchange cds with matching "45" cent due handstamp, Very Fine, ex-Col. Green, with 2002 B.P.A. certificate.
Estimate; $5,000 - 7,500.

THE ONLY RECORDED VICTORIA HALF-LENGTH COVER TO THE UNITED STATES WITH THE WORLD'S FIRST REGISTRATION STAMP.

The "45" due handstamp is the 33¢ collect rate plus 12¢ for British registration. Note that England was still punishing Victoria by not considering transit covers paid to England at the 6d empire rate.

References: Illustrated and Discussed in Milgrams "Foreign Registered Mail: 1855-1875, Part Two: British" in the Chronicle May 2019, p. 181, fig. 21. Est. $5,000-7,500 (Image)

Est. $5,000-7,500

Australian States: Victoria, 1855 (Nov. 2) Melbourne, Victoria to Boston Mass. Gray folded letter bearing Victoria, 6d yellow orange (17), four clear to large margins, tied by barred "1 V" numeral oval, matching "Melbourne, Victoria, OC 2, 1855" rimless oval backstamp, missed James Baines as endorsed, carried by Clipper Shalimar packet sailing to England, reverse with "Australian Packet, Liverpool, FE 3, 56" backstamp and "ART-2" straightline, partial "^d5" debit h.s. to Victoria, Liverpool (2.4) oval backstamp and matching "10/Cents" debit handstamp to U.S., carried by Collins Line Atlantic from Liverpool Feb. 6th to New York arriving Feb. 24th, closed bag to Boston with "Boston, Am. Pkt., Feb 25" exchange backstamp and matching bold "31" due handstamp, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED 31¢ RATE USES FROM AUSTRALIA TO THE UNITED STATES.

Note that United States retained 21¢ on this American transatlantic packet use, whereas United States retained only 5¢ internal postage on the British Packet use on previous page. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

Australian States: Victoria, 1856 (Apr. 14) "Three Mile Creek, Ovens Diggings", Victoria to Concord N.H. Original letter datelined "Three Mile Creek, Ovens Diggings", blue cover bearing Victoria, 6d yellow orange (17), three margins, creases, tied by barred circle cancel, matching "Beechwood, Victoria, AP 14" rimless oval backstamp, Melbourne (4.18) transit backstamp, carried by Clipper Earl of Sefton departing Apr. 26th to England, reverse with "Australian Packet, Liverpool, JY 16, 56" backstamp and "ART-2" straightline, "^d5" debit h.s. to Victoria, manuscript "26" cent debit to U.S., carried by Cunard Line Arabia from Liverpool Jul. 19th to Boston arriving Jul. 30th, "Boston, Br. Pkt., 30 Jul" exchange backstamp and matching "31" due handstamp; some edge wear, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED 31¢ RATE USES FROM AUSTRALIA TO THE UNITED STATES.

The 31¢ collect rate resulted from accountancy between Victoria and England. Great Britain claimed 5d, instead of 6d, due to the expiration of the retaliatory rate period (see Talbeart Vol 1). Three covers are recorded by exhibitor (two are shown in this exhibit) - all three have Boston arrival markings from 1856. This 31¢ rate is not discussed in the literature.

Original letter datelined "Three Mile Creek, Ovens Diggings" and with some excellent gold rush content "…We have now commenced something like California Mining - We are now sluicing. Have just begun and cannot tell what it will pay yet - But hope we may get into something that will in the end pay better than sinking or running round…". Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

Australian States: Victoria, 1857 (Jan. 15) Melbourne, Victoria to New York N.Y. Datelined folded letter bearing Victoria 6d yellow orange (17) and 6d Late Fee (I1), jumbo margins, each tied by bold "1" barred numeral, matching Melbourne (1.15) backstamp and red "1d" packet credit handstamp to G.B., carried as endorsed by Clipper Royal Charter packet sailing via Cape Horn to England, red "Australian Packet, Paid, Liverpool, AP 12 '57" cds, Liverpool (4.13) oval backstamp and matching "19/Cent" debit to G.B., carried by Cunard Line Africa from Liverpool Apr. 18th to New York arriving May 1st, New York bold "24" cent due handstamp; some edge wear, Very Fine, ex-Shenfield.
Estimate; $5,000 - 7,500.

THE ONLY RECORDED VICTORIA TOO LATE STAMP USED TO THE UNITED STATES.

The New York "24" due handstamp is the earliest strike recorded (May 1, 1857). Est. $5,000-7,500 (Image)

Est. $5,000-7,500

Australian States: New South Wales, 1857 (May 16) Sydney, New South Wales to Nantucket, Mass. via New York. Blue folded cover bearing New South Wales 2d blue, 6d gray and 1s red, all cancelled by barred oval, matching "Sydney, New South Wales, MY 16, 1857" rimless backstamp, carried as endorsed by Clipper Great Britain packet ship via Cape Horn to England, red "Paid Liverpool Ship, AU 22, 1857" tombstone and red London Paid (8.22) transits, red manuscript "8" pence and corresponding "16" cent credit to U.S., carried by Inman Line Kangaroo from Aug. 26th to New York arriving Sep. 7th, "N. York, Am. Pkt. '5' Sep 7" due exchange cds; 6d light corner crease, a Very Fine and attractive use.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.

A CHOICE THREE-COLOR NEW SOUTH WALES PREPAID CLIPPER USE TO THE UNITED STATES.

From February 1857, it became possible to prepay Australian Colonies mail to the USA border. By this date E&ARM and P&O had signed mail contracts to carry Australian mail to England via Suez and Southampton. It was the end of the Two Capes Route and the clipper ship period. Est. $1,500-2,000 (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000

Australian States: Victoria, 1857 (May 20) Melbourne, Victoria to Richmond Va. via New York. Gray cover bearing Victoria 2d lilac (38), 1s blue (18), tied by old "1 V" barred oval, matching "Melbourne, Victoria, MY 20, 1857" rimless oval backstamp, carried as endorsed by Clipper Great Britain packet ship via Cape Horn to England, unusual red "Paid, 22 AU 57, Liverpool Ship" framed handstamp and red London Paid (8.22) transits, red manuscript "8" pence and corresponding "16" cent credit to U.S., carried by Inman Line Kangaroo from Aug. 26th to New York arriving Sep. 7th, "N. York, Am. Pkt. '5' Sep 7" due exchange cds; some light toning, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $3,000 - 4,000.

THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS "ONE DAY" LIVERPOOL MARKING USED ON MAIL TO THE UNITED STATES.

This cover was carried on the same "Great Britain" sailing as the cover in the previous lot. An extra postal sorter produced this handstamp to handle the large volume of mail. The "Liverpool Ship" framed handstamp was altered with the addition of smaller "PAID" type of the same size as the "Australian Packet" handstamp.

The stamps were tied by the old "1 V" barred oval rather than the usual barred numeral "1". The old instrument was brought into use to handle the large amount of mail carried on this sailing. Est. $3,000-4,000 (Image)

Est. $3,000-4,000

Australian States: South Australia, 1850 (Jun. 2) Adelaide, South Australia to Albany N.Y. via Great Britain. Datelined folded letter sent with 6 pence ship letter paid in cash, sent by private ship via Cape Horn to Great Britain, reverse with framed "9 OC 1850, Liverpool Ship" transit and matching "ART-2" straightline and "8" handstamp for 8d ship letter, manuscript "32 Cents" debit rating, carried by Cunard Line Asia from Liverpool Oct. 12th to New York arriving Oct. 23rd, red "New-York, Oct 23" exchange backstamp and ms. "37" due rating, Very Fine.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

This is the earliest of fifteen 37¢ collect covers recorded by Winter and Forster (Chronicle Nov 1990). Earliest of twelve ART-2 covers recorded by Ben Palmer in Sydney Views, and one of only two with the handstamp on the front of the cover. The ART-2 device was sent from London to Liverpool on 21 Feb 1850 to be used to show letter-bill accounting number on unpaid transit mail from a foreign country to the United States. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

Australian States: Victoria, 1853 (Jun. 1) Melbourne, Victoria to New Bedford Mass. Datelined folded letter with partial indistinct "Paid at Bendigo CK." and red manuscript "Registered" and "2" pence prepaid to Melbourne, reverse with partial "Melbourne, Victoria, JU 1, 1853" rimless backstamp, carried by private ship Typhoon via Cape Horn to England, red London (9.29) transit backstamp with "1/2" due rating updated to "28" cent debit to U.S., carried by Havre Line Humboldt from Southampton Oct. 1st to New York arriving Oct. 14th, "New.York, Am. Packet. Oct 15" exchange cds with manuscript. "49" cent due rating; cover tears and wear, Fine and rare.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

THE EARLIEST RECORDED REGISTERED COVER FROM AUSTRALIA TO THE UNITED STATES.

The 28¢ debit (1s/2d) to U.S. for 8d private ship rate plus 6d G.B. registration. The 49¢ final due rating for 37¢ collect private ship letter rate plus 12¢ British registration fee.

Reference: Illustrated and described in article "Foreign Registered Mail: 1855-1875, Part Two: British" by Dr. James Milgram, Chronicle 262, May 2019, pp. 178-180, fig. 19. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

Australian States: New South Wales, 1853 (Aug. 16) Melbourne, Victoria to Wooster Oh. Cover bearing Victoria, Half-length, Third Printing, 1d dull red (SG 8a) single and abnormal pair, position. 22, 23-21 with 21 being substituted transfer, tied by "1 V" barred ovals, matching "Melbourne, Victoria, AU 16, 1853" rimless datestamp, carried as endorsed by non-contract sailing of GSSC Argo via Cape of Good Hope to England, red London (10.28) transit backstamp with manuscript "8" due rating updated to "32" cent debit to U.S., carried by Cunard Line America from Oct. 29th to Boston arriving Nov. 13th, "Boston Br. Pkt. Nov 13" exchange cds with matching "37" due handstamps for the 37¢ rate, "Worcester Mass., Nov 14" cds and manuscript "Missent" rating; some edge wear, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.

AN EXCEPTIONAL VICTORIA HALF-LENGTHS USE TO THE UNITED STATES.

The 1d dull red pair is positions 23-21 on Ham's lithographic stone, 21 being a substituted transfer. Described and referenced in Barwis's Half-Length book on pages 59 and 61. Est. $2,000-3,000 (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000

1853 (Oct. 26) Newburgh N.Y. to Penrith, New South Wales. Orange cover with red "Newburgh N.Y., Oct 26" cds and matching "Paid" handstamp with red crayon "37" cent prepaid rating, red "New.York, Am. Packet, Oct 29" exchange cds and magenta "16" cent credit to G.B., carried by Collins Line Atlantic from New York Oct. 29th to Liverpool arriving Nov. 9th, red London Pad (11.10) transit cds, carried by City of Sydney via Cape of Good Hope, "Penrith N.S.W.AP 15, 1854" rimless backstamp and matching large "5" pence due rating for ship letter fee to inland town, original enclosed letter; some edge wear, Very Fine.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

THE ONLY RECORDED 37¢ RATE COVER FROM THE UNITED STATES ROUTED BY PRIVATE SHIP FROM ENGLAND. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

Australian States: Victoria, 1854 (Sep. 4) Melbourne, Victoria to Monmouth County, N.J., U.S.A. Blue folded letter bearing Victoria, 1s blue (18), margins to touched, tied by "1 V " barred oval, matching "Melbourne, Victoria, SE4, 1855" rimless oval, carried as endorsed by ship Croesus via Cape Horn to England, red London (12.15) cds with ms. "8" pence due for ship rate, manuscript "16" cent debit to U.S., carried by Collins Line Atlantic from Liverpool Dec. 18th to New York arriving Dec. 31st; some edge wear, Very Fine.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

THE ONLY RECORDED UNITED STATES DESTINATION FROM THIS INTERRUPTED SAILING.

The steamship "Croesus" sailed from Melbourne on 10 September 1854. Her propeller broke near New Zealand and she limped around Cape Horn under sail. After repairs were attempted at Ascension Island, the "Croesus" finally arrived at Southampton on Dec. 15th. This letter was in transit for 112 days. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

1855 (Feb. 22) Rushville N.Y. to Melbourne, Australia. Cover endorsed "Adams & Co. Express" at left with blue "Rushville N.Y., Feb 22" cds and matching "Paid" handstamp with manuscript. "37" cent prepaid rating, red "New-York, Br. Pkt. Feb 27" exchange cds backstamp with magenta "28" cent credit to G.B., carried by Cunard Line Asia from Boston Feb. 28th to Liverpool arriving Mar. 10th, red London Paid (3.12) transit cds and matching "1d" colonial credit handstamp for contract sailing, carried by Marco Polo to Melbourne, partial arrival backstamp; flap tears and edge wear, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

Endorsed to be sent by Adams & Co. outside the mails, but mailed instead because Adams was in financial difficulties and was about to shut down its Melbourne branch. This is one of several United States covers recorded prepaid 37¢ cents but sent by contract packet from England, so overpaid 33¢ rate. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Australian States: New South Wales, 1837 (Jan. 28) Sydney, New South Wales to Glastonbury, Conn. Datelined folded letter endorsed "p Columbus", carried as endorsed via Cape Horn to Liverpool, reverse with "Lpool 17 July - Received and forwarded by Your Ob Svt, R. F. Breed & Eceleston" across Atlantic, entered mail with red "New-York 'Ship' Aug 29" cds and manuscript "14½" due rating for 12½¢ postage plus 2¢ ship fee, Very Fine.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

THE EARLIEST RECORDED LETTER FROM AUSTRALIA TO THE UNITED STATES. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

1837 (Feb. 15) Sydney, New South Wales to Glastonbury Conn. Folded letter datelined "Bark Brothers, Feb 9 1837" and reading "…the pilot on board going past the Heads of Sydney Harbor…" from Horace Hale back home to his wife, carried by Ship Jessie from Sydney Feb. 26th to Liverpool arriving Jun. 13th, manuscript "Lpool 14 June - recd and forwarded by R.F. Breed & Eceleston" forwarder's endorsement on back flap, carried transatlantic as endorsed by ship North America from Liverpool Jun. 19th to New York arriving Jul. 21st, entered mails with red "New-York, Ship, Aug 1" cds and magenta "14½" due rating for 12½¢ inland plus 2¢ ship fee, Very Fine.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

THIS IS THE EARLIEST ARRIVING LETTER FROM THE AUSTRALIAN COLONIES TO THE UNITED STATES.

The other Hale letter offered in the previous lot took 7 months to arrive from Australia, whereas this letter took only 5½ months. This shows how erratic mail service could be between the Colonies and the United States during this early time period. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

1872 (Dec. 20) Auburn Ill. to Adelong, New South Wales. Orange cover bearing bearing United States, 2¢ red brown (146) two s.e. singles, 6¢ carmine (148), each cancelled by partial four-ring target, matching "Auburn Ill. Dec 30" cds, endorsed "Via San Francisco", carried by Webb & Holladay Nebraska to Auckland arriving Feb. 2nd, reverse with Sydney (2.21), Gundagai (2.22) transits and Adelong (2.23) arrival cds, Very Fine and choice use at 10¢ American Packet rate to NSW before she signed postal treaty in 1874., ex-Landau.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400