Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. Sale

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U.S. and C.C.A. Postal History and Hawaii continued...

Colonial Period continued...

Lot

Sym.

Lot Description

1034

1775, Philadelphia to London via Bristol, England. Folded letter datelined "Philada. 8 mo 2d 1775" (Aug. 2) from Samuel Pleasants to James Gordon in London, partly clear strike of "BRISTOL/SHIP LRE" two-line handstamp and "19/SE" Bishop's mark, manuscript "5" rate, Very Fine, an early Revolutionary War period transatlantic ship letter from the Colonies to England, ex Siskin (Image)

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E. $ 500-750

SOLD for $800.00
Will close during Public Auction

1035

1775, Lancaster Pa. to London via Bristol, England. Folded cover with receipt docketing indicating this was sent by Mr. Graham in Lancaster Pa. and referred to committee on Sep. 11, 1775, addressed to the secretary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts at Westminster in England, partly clear strike of "BRISTOL" straightline handstamp and matching "16/AV" (Aug. 16) Bishop's mark, manuscript "7" rate, Very Fine, in the aftermath of the battle at Lexington and Concord in April 1775, the citizens of Lancaster Pa. raised three companies which formed Colonel Thompson's Battalion of Riflemen, commanded by Colonel Edward Hand and Lieutenants David Ziegler and Frederick Hubley, this battalion joined Washington's army at Cambridge Mass. in August 1775 -- this letter was sent from Lancaster by Rev. Graham just as these events were occurring (Image)

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E. $ 500-750

SOLD for $500.00
Will close during Public Auction

1036

N. YORK OC. 10. Red straightline datestamp on back of folded letter datelined "New York 4th Octr 1775" from David Campbell to Patrick Campbell in Edinburgh, Scotland, letter describes hazardous journey across the Atlantic, manuscript "1N" packet rate crossed out and re-rated "Inall 1N6", "17/NO" London Bishop's mark, carried on the Falmouth packet Harriot, which departed New York on October 19 and arrived at Falmouth on November 16, small opening nick at top, Very Fine, the disruption of shipping began in earnest in September 1775, this Falmouth-New York packet letter was sent during this early stage of the privateering and blockading activity (Image)

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E. $ 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $2,200.00
Will close during Public Auction

1037

1776, New York to Edinburgh, Scotland, via Portsmouth. Folded letter datelined "New York 1 Janry 1776" from David Campbell to Patrick Campbell in Edinburgh, Scotland,, two strikes of "PORTSMOUTH/SHIP LRE" two-line handstamp (one partly readable), manuscript "4" rate crossed out and re-rated "Inall 10", "9/FE" Bishop's mark on back, historically interesting two-page letter with lengthy commentary on the American war for independence: "Times are shocking... these that have management of affairs in this continent have no desire to have any further connection with Brittain, they aim at absolute Independence...", further commentary on arms, American attitudes, taxation, etc., written prior to the September 1776 British occupation of New York, Fine and a most desirable Revolutionary War transatlantic letter sent during the early period of privateering and blockading activity (Image)

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E. $ 1,500-2,000

SOLD for $3,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

1038

1778, British-Occupied New York to Ireland. Folded letter datelined "New York Thursday 22 of October 1778" from John Colles, a portrait artist and newly-arrived Irish immigrant, to his brother in Kilhenny, Ireland, sender's instructions on flap "To be left in the post office of Cork", carried by ship and posted as instructed, "CORK/SHIP LETTER" two-line handstamp and manuscript "9" rate

VERY FINE. A RARE AND ARTICULATE TRANSATLANTIC SHIP LETTER WRITTEN FROM NEW YORK CITY DURING THE BRITISH OCCUPATION, PROVIDING A CONTEMPORARY ACCOUNT OF WAR-TIME EVENTS.

This letter was written by John Colles, a portrait artist who had just arrived from Ireland. An advertisement for his services was published in The New York Gazette and the Weekly Mercury (November 9, 1778), which states: "Miniature Profiles. No. 20, Golden-Hill, opposite the sign of the Unicorn: J. Colles, Having had the honour of taking off the Profiles of many of the Nobility in England and Ireland, begs leave to inform the ladies and gentlemen in New York, that he takes the most Striking Likeness in Miniature Profile, of any Size, at so low a price as Two Dollars each, framed and glazed."

This 2-1/2 page letter provides details of the writer's eleven-week journey with a squadron of "Fourteen Sail of Armed Vitalers under the command of Capt. James Hunter..." He describes how the French fleet had been harassing Lord Howe's fleet at New York, while "2000 Americans at the Back of the tropes" were also threatening the city. When the squadron with which the writer had sailed arrived at New York, the French fleet "thought fit to go to Boston." Colles describes deplorable conditions in the city after three years of British occupation, "The Tropes have evacuated Boston and the Rebels is in possession of it. Everything hear is in the utmost confusion and so dear that there is no such thing as living. Business is not thought of by anyone, nor can I get any... everyone is thinking of quitting this [place]... as to the town [of New York] it is allmost burned... the first people who once lived in the greatest opulence is reduced to the greatest begory."; finally, the writer states "P.S. ... there was 4 English frigets of 32 Guns lying off Long Island which the English quit and burnt... the Americans will not listen to anything but Independence."

Ex Dr. Martin (Image)

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E. $ 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $5,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

1039

1778, British-Occupied New York to Inveraray, Scotland. Folded letter datelined "N.Y. Novr 4th 78" from Charles Campbell to his father, Patrick Campbell, in Inveraray, Scotland, manuscript "1N" packet rate crossed out, handstamped "In all" and manuscript "1N6" rate, carried by the Falmouth-New York packet Swallow, which departed New York on November 20, 1778, and arrived in Falmouth on December 15, backstamped "21/DE" Bishop's mark, the writer begins "We are under orders, and embarked on an expedition...", then asks his father for more money, explaining that prices are double those of home, Very Fine, a very scarce war-time Falmouth-New York packet letter from a member of British forces occupying New York City in 1778 (probably one of the Scottish 71st Highlanders) (Image)

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E. $ 1,500-2,000

SOLD for $2,600.00
Will close during Public Auction

1040

1780, British-Occupied New York to Madeira via Dover, England. Folded letter datelined "Copy - New York 13th Augst 80" from Samuel Stevenson to Messrs. Newton, Gordon & Johnston in Madeira, sender's ship-name directive "By the Fanny, Capt. Sinclair", partly readable strike of "DOVER/SHIP LRE" two-line handstamp, "16/OC" Bishop's mark on back, manuscript rate crossed out, clearly struck "In all" handstamp and re-rated "3N10", receipt docketing with Dec. 2, 1780 arrival in Madeira, letter concerns shipment of Madeira wine, Very Fine, scarce war-time letter from New York City during British occupation, desirable with the names of the ship and captain clearly marked and rare to a destination beyond England (Image)

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E. $ 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $3,250.00
Will close during Public Auction