1848 (May 19) Charleston S.C. to Gottingen, Sweden. Datelined folded letter with red "Charleston S.C. May 19" cds and matching "Paid" handstamp with ms. "34" rating, red "New-York, May 23" exchange backstamp and "PAID PART" straightline, carried by Ocean Line Hermann from New York Jun. 20th to Bremerhaven arriving Jul. 9th, Hanover "America/über Bremen" two-line handstamp and red crayon "2" ggr debit rating, Gottingen (7.8) arrival backstamp, Very Fine and scarce "Paid Part" use.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

The charge for mail addressed to Hanover was 2 ggr and for mail transiting Hanover 1 1/3 ggr. By agreement with Hanover and the US, Bremen did not charge transit fees. Because of the complexity of calculating postage transiting several states, the US Post Office recommended paying only the International Rate, leaving the German postage due; such letters were marked "PAID PART." Due to this guidance, letters with full postage paid were uncommon and were marked "PAID ALL". Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1858 (Apr. 6) Pekin, Ill. to Berlin, Prussia. Light buff cover bearing 5¢ red brown (12), four large even margins, used with 10¢ green, type III (33), faulty, tied together by "Pekin Ills., Apr 6" cds for the 15¢ treaty rate, endorsed "Via Bremen Mail", red "New York 'Paid 6' U.S. Pkt. Apr 14" credit exchange cds, carried by Vanderbilt Line North Star from New York Apr. 17th to Bremerhaven arriving May 3rd, blue America/über Bremen/Franco" three-line handstamp, Berlin (5.5) arrival backstamp; minor soiling, Very Fine, ex-Baker, with 1977 and 1988 P.F. certificates.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED 5¢ 1856 IMPERF - 10¢ 1857 PERFORATED MIXED ISSUE FRANKING TO GERMANY.

The two recorded 5¢ 1856 imperf - 10¢ 1857 perforated mixed issue frankings to Germany:

1. 1857 Sep. 2, Milwaukee WI to Gronau, Hanover, Germany, ex-Mayer, Hackmey, Gross.
2. 1858 Apr. 6, Pekin IL to Berlin, Prussia, ex-Baker, the cover offered here. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

1850 (Oct. 7) Baltimore Md. to Freiwaldau, Austrian Silesia. Orange buff Glenn correspondence cover bearing 5¢ red brown (1), large margins to touched, light hor. crease at right, cancelled by red "5" handstamp, blue "Baltimore Md. May 26" cds, carried by Cunard Line Niagara from New York Oct. 9th to Liverpool arriving Oct. 20th, red London (10.21.1851) transit backstamp and manuscript "1/6" 1s6d debit rating, Aachen red "America per England" framed backstamp and blue ms. "15" sgr debit rating, Austria ms. "54" krCM final due rating, central wax seal stain, F.-V.F. and scarce use, with 1994 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

Standard GAPU postage varied by weight and distance. US Postage 5¢, this cover weighed ¼ - ½ oz., single rate for US, UK, and Prussia, but double for Belgium, for a total of 54krCM. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

1850 (Dec. 8) Baltimore Md. to Freiwaldau, Austrian Silesia. Glenn correspondence cover bearing 5¢ red brown (1), clear to large margins, cancelled by red "5" handstamp, blue "Baltimore Md. Dec 8" cds, red "PAID" handstamp crossed out and manuscript "Due 16" added, which was later crossed out, carried by Cunard Line Europa from New York Dec. 11th to Liverpool arriving Dec. 21st, red London (12.22.1850) transit backstamp with manuscript "1/4" 1s6d updated to "2/6" debit rating, reverse with sharp Aachen red "America per England" framed backstamp and blue ms. "13 1/3" sgr debit rating, "Freiwaldau" and "28 Dec." straightline arrival backstamps, Austria ms. "46" krCM final due rating; central wax seal stain, F.-V.F. and scarce use, ex-Craveri, with 1993 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

Standard GAPU postage varied by weight and distance. US Postage was 5¢ for ½ oz. under 300 miles. This cover weighed under ¼ oz., so single rate for US, UK, Prussia and Belgium. Postage due breakdown of UK (8d packet, 6d transit) plus Belgium (2d transit) = 13 1/3sgr (40krCM) plus Prussia 6krCM for 10-20 German miles, a total of 46krCM. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

1855 (May 15) New Orleans La. to Trieste, Austria. Blue folded cover with partial letter bearing 1¢ blue (9) vertical pair, margins to cutting, and 3¢ dull red (11A), each tied by circular grid cancels, red "New Orleans La. May 15" cds, black "Boston, Br. Pkt., 23 May" exchange cds, carried by Cunard Line Asia from Boston May 23rd to Liverpool arriving Jun. 2nd, red London (6.4) transit backstamp and ms. "1/-" debit rating, Aachen red "Seebrief per England and Aachen" (6.5) double-circle transit backstamp, blue ms. "40" kr due rating, two small cover tears at top, F.-V.F. and scarce 1851 Issue use to Austria.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1856 (Jun. 10) Mercersburg Pa. to Berlin, Prussia. Light "Mercersburgh Pa. Jun. 10" cds ties 1¢ blue (9), 3¢ dull red (11A) horizontal pair, mostly ample margins, and 10¢ green, types II-IV (14-16) pair, positions 53-54L1, right stamp recut at bottom, large margins all around, on 3¢ red Nesbitt (U10) buff entire, endorsed "Per Prussian Closed Mail, paid through" at bottom left, red "N.York, Am. Pkt. 'Paid 7' Jun 14" credit exchange cds, carried by Ocean Line Washington from New York Jun. 14th to Southampton arriving Jun. 28th, bold red "Aachen, Franco, 20/6" framed handstamp; one 3¢ has manuscript. "X" cancel, which has been removed from 1¢ and 10¢ stamps to improve appearance, entire slight wrinkle and part of backflap missing, Very Fine appearance, ex-De Wasserman, Piller, Sevenoaks, Tito.
Estimate; $3,000 - 4,000.

AN EXTRAORDINARY FOUR-COLOR COMBINATION TO MAKE UP THE 30¢ PRUSSIAN CLOSED MAIL RATE, WHICH IS PROBABLY UNIQUE WITH THE 10¢ TYPE IV STAMP. Est. $3,000-4,000 (Image)

Est. $3,000-4,000

1857 (Feb. 23) Saxonburg Pa. to Alme, Prussia. Cover bearing 10¢ green, type II (14) horizontal strip of three, pos. 13-15L1, full to mostly large margins, tied by two open circular grid cancels, manuscript "Saxonburg Pa., Febr 23." manuscript postmark, bold red "N. York, Br. Pkt. 'Paid 7' Mar 4" credit exchange cds, carried by Cunard Line Asia from New York Mar. 4th to Liverpool arriving Mar. 16th, red "Aachen, Franco 18/3" framed handstamp, Mar. 19th arrival backstamp; some soiling, right stamp vertical scrape, small scissor cut between right pair, a Very Fine appearing use at the 30¢ Prussian Closed Mail rate.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1866 (Jun. 2) New Orleans La. to Berlin, Prussia. Yellow cover bearing 2¢ black (73), 12¢ black (69) pair and 30¢ orange (71), each cancelled by circle of wedges fancy cancel, matching "New Orleans La. Jun 2" cds at left, red "N.York, Br. Pkt '14 Paid' Jun 9" credit exchange cds, carried by Inman Line City of London from New York Jun. 9th to Queenstown arriving Jun. 20th, blue "Aachen, Franco 22/6" framed handstamp, blue Jun. 23rd arrival backstamp; reduced slightly at left barely into sender's corner card oval, small non-contemporary pen notation at lower right, Very Fine and attractive franking paying double the 28¢ Prussian Closed Mail rate, ex-Gliedman.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

1862 (Sep 3) Boston Mass. to Meran, Austria. Stunning red and blue Eagle with Shield, Flags, and Symbols, Magee patriotic design (Walcott 2463) with "Onward to Victory" slogan on cover bearing 1¢ blue, 3¢ rose, 12¢ black (63, 65, 69 pair) tied by Boston "Paid" grid cancellations, red "Boston, Br Pkt '7 Paid' Sep 8" credit exchange cds, carried by Cunard Line Europa from Boston Sep. 3rd to Queenstown arriving Sep. 13th, red "Aachen Franco 16 / 9" framed transit with manuscript "5 / 15" rating for 5 kreuzer internal German fee and 15 kr foreign fee, Meran arrival backstamp, redirected to Vevey, Switzerland with various backstamps including Zurich (9.21) and Lausanne (9.22) transits; 3¢ with straight edge, Very Fine, ex-Matthies, Gabriel, Mark Gordon, Pacetti, with 1987 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $10,000 - 15,000.

AN EXCEPTIONAL CIVIL WAR PATRIOTIC DESIGN WITH A THREE-COLOR FRANKING FROM THE ANGELL CORRESPONDENCE.

In September 1861, the US Post Office Department reduced the prepaid letter single rate to most German states from 30¢ to 28¢ due to a British reduction of 1d (2¢) postage to those states. By British-Prussian agreement, the single rate for letters was reduced by 2d, half of which was extended to the transit of US mail.

In May 1862, the reduction was applied to all German States except Baden, which was included one year later. The rate for unpaid mail remained at 30¢. Est. $10,000-15,000 (Image)

Est. $10,000-15,000

1867 (May 1) New York, N.Y. to Aachen, Prussia. Datelined folded letter bearing three-color franking of 2¢ black (73), 10¢ green (68) and 30¢ orange (71), tied by NYFM grid cancels, red "N.York, Br. Pkt. '7 Paid' May 1" credit exchange cds, carried by Cunard Line Scotia from New York May 1st to Queenstown arriving May 10th, blue "Aachen, Franco" framed transit, bold May 13th arrival backstamp, Very Fine and attractive use apparently overpaying the 30¢ Prussian Closed Mail rate.
Estimate; $400 - 600. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

1859 (Jul. 15) New York N.Y. to Berlin, Prussia. Orange buff cover bearing two 1¢ blue (24) singles, 3¢ dull red (26) and 10¢ green (35), faulty, each tied by New York F.M. circle grid cancel to Berlin, Prussia, red "N.York, Hamb. Pkt. 'Paid 10' Jul 1" credit exchange cds, carried by Hapag Line Bavaria from New York Jul. 15th to Hamburg arriving Jul. 31st, reverse with Hamburg (7.31) transit and Berlin (8.1) arrival cds; cover creasing affects one 1¢, Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

1860 (Jun. 25) Philadelphia Pa. to Stettin, Prussia (now Poland). Orange cover bearing 10¢ green (35) horizontal strip of three with captured imprint at left, tied by "Philadelphia Pa., Jun 25, 1860" octagonal datestamps, partial strike of scarce red "N. York, Hamb. Pkt. 'Paid 20' Jun 30" credit exchange cds, carried by Hapag Line Hammonia from New York Jun. 30th to Hamburg arriving Jul. 15th, Hamburg (7.15) arrival backstamp and matching neat "Franco" handstamp, Jul. 16th arrival backstamp; slightly reduced at left and some wear, left stamp small corner crease at lower left, the 20c credit marking is unusual, F.-V.F. and scarce double-weight use.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1863 (c., Nov. 27) Boston Mass. to Vienna, Austria via New York. Red and blue Union and Constitution Civil War Patriotic design on Angell correspondence cover bearing 1¢ blue (63) and 12¢ black (69), tied by Boston segmented cork cancels, red "N. York, Hamb. Pkt., Nov. 28" credit exchange cds, carried by Hapag Line Teutonia from New York Nov. 28th to Hamburg arriving Dec. 12th, Hamburg (12.13) transit backstamp and neat "Franco" handstamp, Vienna (11.15) arrival backstamp; some light waterstaining at sides, 12¢ small tear at top right, Very Fine appearance, ex-Matthies, Allen, McCracken.
Estimate; $5,000 - 7,500.

AN EXTREMELY RARE USAGE OF THE 2¢ BLACK JACK ISSUE ON AN ANGELL CIVIL WAR PATRIOTIC COVER TO AUSTRIA.

Illustrated in Lane. Only four covers with Black Jacks were offered in our 1969 Matthies sale. Est. $5,000-7,500 (Image)

Est. $5,000-7,500

1870 (May 12) Chicago, Ill. to Esens, Prussia. Cover bearing 10¢ yellow (116) horizontal pair, rich color, tied by cork cancels, matching "Chicago, Ill. May 12" cds at top right, red "Chicago, Paid All, Direct, May 12" exchange backstamp, carried by NGL Line Rhein from New York May 14th to Bremerhaven arriving May 26th, red "Bremen, Franco, 28/5 70" framed transit, Esens (5.26) framed arrival backstamp; small corner nick, otherwise Very Fine and scarce 10¢ 1869 franking at double the 10¢ direct rate.
Estimate; $400 - 600. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

1869 (Mar. 13) New York, N.Y. to Göttingen, Prussia. Cover bearing 15¢ black, F grill (98) tied by NYFM square grid cancel, red "New York, Paid All, Br. Transit, Mar 13" exchange cds, carried by Inman Line City of Brooklyn from New York Mar. 13th to Queenstown arriving Mar. 23rd, red "Verviers, Coeln, Franco" (3.24) four-line transit, Göttingen (3.25) arrival backstamp, Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1870 (May 31) San Francisco, Cal. to Ochersleben, Prussia. Orange cover bearing 5¢ brown (76) and 10¢ yellow (116), tied by split cork cancels, matching "San Francisco, Cal. May 31" cds at top right, red "Chicago, Paid All, Direct, Jun 7" exchange backstamp, carried by NGL Line Weser II from New York Jun. 11th to Southampton arriving Jun. 22nd, red "Bremen, Franco, 23/6 70" framed transit, Jun. 24th arrival backstamp; part of flap missing and small edge tear, F.-V.F. and unusual 1861-1869 Issue combination franking.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

The sender intentional overpaid for closed mail. The trains from San Francisco to New York via Chicago took 7-8 days. If early or late, it would have had to go by closed mail. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1851 (Sep. 30) San Francisco Cal. to Herford, Prussia. Gray folded letter showing red "San Francisco Cal., 1 Oct" cds with matching "Paid" and "26" rating handstamp, additional pencil "26" cent prepayment rating, carried by Collins Line Pacific from New York Nov. 8th to Liverpool arriving Nov. 19th, red London (11.20) transit backstamp with black "U.S. Pkt." straightline and "10" pence debit to Prussia, Aachen red "Seebrief per England and Aachen" (11.21) double-circle transit backstamp and blue ms. "11 1/3" sgr. due rating, Very Fine and scarce California use.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

The convention permitted the US to charge 10¢ domestic postage from the West Coast because of the added expense. For example, the top cover went by steamship from San Francisco to Panama, was carried across the isthmus to the port of Chagres, and then sent by steamship to New York. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1868 (Aug. 18) St. Louis Mo. to Lausanne, Switzerland, forwarded to Naples, Italy. Fancy lime green lined envelope bearing 15¢ black (77) tied by quartered cork duplexed with "St. Louis, Mo. Aug 18" cds, red "New York, Paid All, Br. Transit, Aug 22" exchange cds, carried by Inman Line City of Boston from New York Aug. 22nd to Queenstown arriving Sep. 1st, Lausanne (9.4) arrival backstamp, forwarded to Naples with Lausanne (9.10) cds, reverse with Milan (9.12) transit and Naples (9.14) arrival cds; small edge tear, minor perf toning, Very Fine and attractive use.
Estimate; $150 - 200.

Under the 1861 Switzerland-Italy Convention, postage due was 40 centisimi, but there is no indication it was collected. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

1873 (Dec. 11) Michigan City, Ind. to Hildesheim, Prussia. "Michigan City, Ind. Dec 11" duplex with four-bar grid cancel ties 1¢ blue (145) on 1¢ postal card (UX1), bold red "New York, Dec 13" exchange cds, carried by NGL Line Donau from New York Dec. 13th to Bremerhaven arriving Dec. 25th, 1873, Very Fine and choice, ex-Gundel.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

THE EARLIEST RECORDED USE OF THE 2¢ POSTAL CARD RATE TO GERMANY.

An additional article effective December 1, 1873 provided for a 2¢ rate for postal cards but limited the exchange to direct mail by Bremen or Hamburg. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

1875 (Apr. 22) Snow Hill, Md. to Lausanne, Switzerland. "Snow Hill, Md. Apr 22" cds duplexed with cork cancel ties 1¢ blue (156) on 1¢ postal card (UX3), red "New York, Paid All, Via Bremen, Apr 24" exchange cds, carried by NGL Line Weser II from New York Apr. 24th to Bremerhaven arriving May 7th, Lausanne (5.9) arrival cds, fresh and Very Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200.

Shortly after concluding the December 1873 agreement for the exchange of postal cards with the German Empire, the United States made a similar agreement to the agreement with Switzerland effective March 1874. Postal cards to Switzerland could only enter Germany in closed bags at Bremen or Hamburg. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

1875 (May 13) New York, N.Y. to St. Gallen, Switzerland. Red "New York, Paid All, Via Hamburg, May 13" exchange cds ties 1¢ blue (156) on 1¢ postal card (UX3) along with two strikes of unusual NYFM radial fancy cancels, carried by Hapag Line Cimbria from New York May 13th to Hamburg arriving May 26th, St. Gallen (5.28) arrival cds, Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1865 (Dec. 16) New York N.Y. to Vienna, Austria. Orange newspaper wrapper endorsed "Germany via Bremen", bearing 3¢ rose (65), nat. s.e. at right, tied by cork cancel, New York large "Paid All" straightline applied, carried by NGL Line Bremen from New York Dec. 16th to Bremerhaven arriving Dec. 29th, partial blue "Bremen Franco" transit also ties 3¢, red crayon "2" kreuzer due, Vienna (1.2, 1.3) arrival backstamps; light file fold at left, Fine and scarce 3¢ use., Fine and scarce 3¢ printed matter use, ex-Winter.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

Newspapers sent by either the Bremen or Hamburg Lines required 3¢ prepayment, which was to fully pay the newspaper to another part of the German-Austrian Postal Union. Apparently, the Austrians collected an additional 2 kreuzer local charge. Large 43x9 mm. PAID ALL applied at New York. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

1859 (Feb. 5) New Orleans La. to Cromford, Prussia via New York. February 5th 1859 printed circular bearing 1¢ blue (24) pair, intense shade and impression, scissor trimmed at bottom and upper left corner scuff, tied by dateless "New York" circular postmark, printed "Printed Report. / Per first Steamer." endorsement at upper left, carried by Inman Line Charter Lebanon from New York Feb. 27th to Liverpool arriving Mar. 11th, French red (3.12.59) transit cds, blue manuscript ratings, reverse with Paris (3.16), Frankfurt (3.17) transits and German (3.19) arrival; forwarded internally, a Very Fine circular-rate use.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1859 (Mar. 5) New Orleans La. to Cromford, Prussia. Mar. 5th 1859 printed circular bearing 1¢ blue (24) horizontal pair, tied by partial "New Orleans La., Mar 11" cds, printed "Printed Report. / Per first Steamer" endorsement, red French (4.5) transit cds, red Aachen (4.6) exchange backstamp and blue manuscript "2½" due rating, German (4.6) arrival backstamp, Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1855 (Aug. 11) New Orleans La. to Trieste, Austria. Blue folded printed circular with company "Printed Circular" straightline at top left and bearing 1¢ blue (9) horizontal pair, huge margins to in at bottom incl. portion of adjoining stamps at top, tied by "New Orleans La, Aug 18" cds, carried by Collins Line Baltic from New York Aug. 22nd to Liverpool arriving Sep. 2nd, red Calais (10.3) transit cds, red Trieste (10.9) arrival backstamp, blue ms. "3" corrected to "7" krCM due rating due to four enclosed circulars, Very Fine and rare multiple circular rate use.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

The top cover was marked 3 krCM due (1843 Austria-France Convention). The clerk saw it contained four more circulars (see vertical ribbon marks) and rerated the postage due of 7 krCM (+1 KrCM each). Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400