Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. Sale

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United States and Confederate States Postal History continued...

Colonial Postal History: Revolutionary War, Inflation Rates

Lot

Sym.

Lot Description

1144

(Edenton N.C., 1780). Folded letter datelined "Edenton 6th March 1780" to "The Managers of the United States Lottery Philadelphia," manuscript "106.16" dwt rate (32-times the 3.8dwt rate), additional notation "6 dollars rec'd by P. Baynton" by the Philadelphia Postmaster, slightly toned file folds, Fine and unusual high-rated cover to the U.S. Lottery, which was one of the mechanisms used to help pay for the Revolutionary War, examples of mail related to its operation are elusive and desirable (Image)

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E. $ 500-750

SOLD for $3,250.00
Will close during Public Auction

1145

(Philadelphia, ca. 1780) "133.8" 40-Times Rate. Manuscript rate on undated (but likely 1780) folded cover addressed to "The Managers of the United States Lottery Philadelphia," manuscript "133.8" dwt rate (40-times the 3.8dwt single rate, or possibly 20-times the double rate), additional notation "19 -1/3 dollars rec'd by P. Baynton" by the Philadelphia Postmaster which may represent commission from lottery sales, some wear, Fine and rare high-rated cover to the U.S. Lottery, which was one of the mechanisms used to help pay for the Revolutionary War, examples of mail related to its operation are elusive, the added aspect of this being a likely 40-times rate cover (in effect only from May 5 to Dec. 12, 1780) makes it even more desirable (Image)

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E. $ 300-400

SOLD for $1,600.00
Will close during Public Auction

1146

(Philadelphia, 1780) "80" 20-Times Rate. Manuscript rate "80" dwt (4dwt for over-300 miles x 20), on folded letter datelined "Philadelphia 14 Jany. 1780" to the Marine Board at Boston, contents relate to trial of the Pitt ship case at Baltimore and prize ship Jay recovery, also notes that weather is very severe, river froze and that post "so very irregular receive no letters from you for a long time, Very Fine and extremely rare, the 20-times rate was in effect only from Dec. 28, 1779 to May 4, 1780, the Siskin catalog (Bennett sale) stated that only four 1779-80 20-times rate covers are recorded, this is the earliest of the four, illustrated in Collectors Club Philatelist (May-June 1991) (Image)

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E. $ 750-1,000

SOLD for $3,750.00
Will close during Public Auction

1147

(Bordeaux, France, to Boston, 1780) "160" 40-Times Rate. Manuscript "160" dwt rate (4dwt for over-300 miles x 40), on folded letter datelined "Bordeaux 6th January 1780" to Boston, letter includes reports of "miscarriages and delays attendant on ships sailing under convoy", also reports that John Adams has arrived in Spain but not yet in France, Very Fine and extremely rare, the 40-times rate was in effect only from May 5 to Dec. 12, 1780, the Siskin catalog (Bennett sale) stated that only five 1780 40-times rate covers are recorded, this is the only incoming ship letter from that population, it is not noted on the cover where it entered the mails but it is most likely Philadelphia (consistent with the 4dwt rate to Boston), wherever it was posted it took its time getting to Boston from Bordeaux (four months at least) (Image)

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E. $ 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $1,300.00
Will close during Public Auction

1148

(Petersburg Va., 1780) "160" 40-Times Rate. Manuscript rate "160" dwt (4dwt for over-300 miles x 40), on folded letter datelined "Petersburg 1st Novem. 1780" to Philadelphia, additional manuscript "9 Dolrs" marking at upper left possibly related to content, Very Fine and extremely rare, the 40-times rate was in effect only from May 5 to Dec. 12, 1780, the Siskin catalog (Bennett sale) stated that only five 1780 40-times rate covers are recorded (Image)

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E. $ 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $1,800.00
Will close during Public Auction

1149

(Clermont N.Y., 1781) 50% Rate Reduction. Folded letter datelined "Clermont Jany. 29 1781", manuscript "3.8" (3dwt 8gr) double-rate representing the 50% rate reduction of Dec. 12, 1780, addressed to Boston (less than 200 miles), letter includes discussion of orders for goods and a conversion of 5,000 pounds to 200 pounds in specie, Very Fine, illustrated in Collectors Club Philatelist (May-June 1991) (Image)

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E. $ 300-400

SOLD for $3,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

1150

(Portsmouth N.H., 1781) Short-Lived 1781 Double Rate. Folded letter datelined "Portsmouth March 19, 1781", manuscript "4 Paid" (4dwt double rate) on small folded letter to Boston, contents relate to Siberian wheat shipments and other business, Very Fine, the 4dwt rate is double the 1765-75 Parliamentary Post 2dwt rate, and was effective late in the Revolutionary War for only eight months, from Feb. 24 to Oct. 19, 1781, illustrated in Collectors Club Philatelist (May-June 1991, p. 178) (Image)

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E. $ 500-750

SOLD for $2,600.00
Will close during Public Auction