THE MICHAEL LOCKTON COLLECTION OF EXETER continued...
| Lot |
Catalog No. |
Descrip |
Opening |
| 1321 |
|
 EARLY POSTAL HISTORY, 1573-1700. EARLY LETTER FROM "Excester" TO CORSINI IN LONDON SENT BY PRIVATE MEANS; Fine 20 Nov. 1591
EL (in neatly written Italian; dated on the very same day as the previous lot) from "Excester" written by "Tommaso Sassetti" (apparently a ship's Captain who was at one time entrusted to carry correspondence to Ferdinand I of Tuscany) and addressed
to "Al Molto magigro. mio Ossmo, Il sig. Filippo Corsini in Londra". The contents concern various goods and mentions that a four-gallon barrel of wine had been presented to the Alderman (of Exeter?). Would presumably repay full transcription and
translation. [Ex Robson Lowe Corsini auction 11 Oct. 1988; lot 53, realised £80+BP. Also ex Robson Lowe's personal collection; Christies RL 23 Sep. 1998; lot 72, realised £230+BP.] Cross Reference: EARLY LETTERS, EARLY LETTERS, LONDON POSTAL
HISTORY (Image) (Image2)
(All Images)
Get Market Data for [Great Britain Collection] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census |
Starting at £ 200
SOLD for £380.00
Closing..Dec-04, 04:00 AM |
| 1322 |
|
 EARLY POSTAL HISTORY, 1573-1700. EARLY LETTER FROM "Plymuthe" TO CORSINI IN LONDON SENT BY PRIVATE MEANS; 10 Oct. 1593 EL (in
English; full typed transcript - affected in places by ink-etching and hard to read address due to ink-through from contents) from "Plymuthe" written by "James Bagg" (who is thought to have organised the regular Posts from Exeter and Plymouth to
London) and addressed "To the Wor[shipful] my good frynde Philipe Corsini merchant att London" without postal rate, as presumably sent 'free' by Bagg. The letter advises against buying pilchards at the current high prices, and gives a quote for
seamen needed for a voyage to Hamburg, etc. [Possibly sold with Bagg's letter from Exeter of the very same date which was in the Corsini 11 Oct. 1988 auction, lot 51.] Plus modern colour print of 1587 bird's eye view map of Exeter. (2 items) Cross
Reference: EARLY LETTERS, EARLY LETTERS, LONDON POSTAL HISTORY (Image) (Image2)
(All Images)
|
Starting at £ 130
SOLD for £140.00
Closing..Dec-04, 04:00 AM |
| 1323 |
|
 EARLY POSTAL HISTORY, 1573-1700. CREDITON 1667 LETTER AT 3d RATE TO LONDON WITH "MA/3" BISHOP MARK; Very fine 1 May 1667 EL
(with full typed transcript) from "Crediton" (in the distinctive cramped hand of "Simon Snow") addressed "To Mr. Thomas Pengelly at Mr. Angiers howse In Bishops Gate Street, near the Pumpe in London" and charged "3" with a mainly very fine London
"MA/3" arrival Bishop Mark nicely placed on the lower flap. [Ex Vernon Rowe.]Cross Reference: LONDON POSTAL HISTORY (Image) (Image2)
(All Images)
|
Starting at £ 130
SOLD for £190.00
Closing..Dec-04, 04:00 AM |
| 1324 |
|
 EARLY POSTAL HISTORY, 1573-1700. LONDON 1668 LETTER AT 3d RATE TO EXETER WITH "OC/1" BISHOP MARK: 1 Oct. 1668 EL from London
addressed "To Mr. Tobridge att his house in Exetter these" and charged "3" with a mainly v.fine London "OC/1" Bishop mark on reverse. Cross Reference: LONDON POSTAL HISTORY (Image)
|
Starting at £ 130
SOLD for £170.00
Closing..Dec-04, 04:00 AM |
| 1325 |
|
 EARLY POSTAL HISTORY, 1573-1700. ORIGINAL EARLY MAPS OF DEVON + EARLY TOWN PLANS OF EXETER; 1599-1720 original printed maps
inc. 1599 Den Keere 'miniature speed' Devon map (text on back), 1637/61 fine pair of Exeter town plans by Daniel Meisner or Rutger Hermannides, 1635 Van Langeren Devon 'mileage map', and 1720 Britannia Depicta pair of the Exeter road (one
hand-coloured with Devon map). All neatly fit album pages, and are mostly fine. (6 items)Cross Reference: MAPS (Image) (Image2)
(Image3)
(Image4)
(Image5)
(Image6)
(All Images)
|
Starting at £ 65
SOLD for £140.00
Closing..Dec-04, 04:00 AM |
| 1326 |
|
 EARLY POSTAL HISTORY, 1573-1700. 1673/4 PAIR TO EXETER OR LONDON - ONE PRIVATELY CARRIED: 8 Oct. 1673 EL from Yarmouth with
"post paid to London 3d" then "forward 3d" on to Exeter, fair "OC/10" Bishop mark on reverse; and 6 Aug. 1674 EL from Exeter carried privately & without handstamps despite being endorsed "P[er]post" "To Mer Thomas Pengelly in London". (2
covers)Cross Reference: NORFOLK, LONDON POSTAL HISTORY (Image) (Image2)
(All Images)
|
Starting at £ 100
SOLD for £170.00
Closing..Dec-04, 04:00 AM |
| 1327 |
|
 EARLY POSTAL HISTORY, 1573-1700. TIVERTON - CIVIL WAR LETTER FROM "JO RUSHWORTH" (SECRETARY TO OLIVER CROMWELL, ETC.); Fine
12 Dec. 1645 letter (no address sheet; typed transcript) from "Tiverton" written & signed by "Jo. Rushworth", the John Rushworth (c.1612-1690) noted historian and Cromwellian secretary to the New Model Army and to Cromwell. Apparently sent to
Ferdinando Lord Fairfax (in London?) regarding the ongoing occupation of Crediton and other Cromwellian actions in Devon; "This day the Generall [Thomas Fairfax] is gone to Kirton [Crediton] to see the makeing that place a strong Quarter & to give
orders about a Designe, within these 2 nights to be putt in Execution; in the taking in of a place of strength, the Enemie is Fortifyinge uppon ye River. I hope there shall, within few dayes, bee noe manner of access into ye Towne with provisions..
My Lord Goring continues still att Dartmouth. As soon as this place is taken (Powderham Castle]. wee shall annoy the Enemie in the South Hams & give them litle rest; I hope enforce them into Cornewall....". A rare and fascinating update on
developments in the Civil War in the West Country. Cross Reference: AUTOGRAPHS (Image)
|
Starting at £ 130
SOLD for £900.00
Closing..Dec-04, 04:00 AM |
| 1328 |
|
 EARLY POSTAL HISTORY, 1573-1700. 1683/97 MAIL TO/VIA LONDON GROUP INC. PAIR CHARGED "3 in all 6": Quartet of ELs (damp
affected) to Exeter (2) or London (2), all with fine red Bishop marks from Barnstaple/Torrington area or Exeter. (4 covers) Cross Reference: LONDON POSTAL HISTORY (Image) (Image2)
(Image3)
(All Images)
|
Starting at £ 100
SOLD for £340.00
Closing..Dec-04, 04:00 AM |
| 1329 |
|
 EARLY POSTAL HISTORY, 1573-1700. RARE VERY EARLY (CROMWELLIAN PERIOD) OFFICIAL "HAST HASTE FOR THE SERVICE OF THE STATE"
COVER; 5 June 1652 EL (some reinforced folds and some minor edge toning/wear) written by "John Fox... from Exeter" and addressed to "The Right Honble. the Lord President of the Councell of State [Sir Henry Vane the Younger at this date], these
present, London" but most exceptionally also endorsed "Hast Hast" with "For the Service of the State" on the front. The contents list the supplies of gunpower and "shott" held in Exeter Castle. The first official sanction for Free mail was the 26
November 1652 Council of State 'Ordinance', but clearly this letter was sent Free by post and so the system must have been in place prior to that Ordinance. Galland (2023) lists a handful of similar Commonwealth period Free State 'Hast Post Haste'
letters including this cover (p.61/62; wrongly listing this cover as dated January 1652). A doubly rare early Official Free and "Hast Hast" cover. [Ex Ron Hake.] Cross Reference: FREE MAIL, OFFICIAL MAIL, EXPRESS MAIL, LONDON POSTAL HISTORY (Image) (Image2)
(All Images)
|
Starting at £ 1,000
SOLD for £2,400.00
Closing..Dec-04, 04:00 AM |
| 1330 |
|
 EARLY POSTAL HISTORY, 1573-1700. EXETER 1696 LETTER TO GAND (GHENT) WITH "post pd to London": 26 Dec. 1696 EL from "Exon" to
"Gand" endorsed "post pd to London" then charged "6 St[uivers]" on delivery. Mostly fine "DE/28" Bishop mark on reverse. (Image)
|
Starting at £ 80
SOLD for £150.00
Closing..Dec-04, 04:00 AM |
| 1331 |
|
 EARLY POSTAL HISTORY, 1573-1700. VERY RARE PRE-1653 6d-RATE COVER TO LONDON WITH DISTINCTIVE MANUSCRIPT "6" CHARGE; Fine 16
Oct. 1652 EL from "Exon" [i.e. Exeter] to "John Maynard Esqr. att his Chamber in the Middle Temple, these [be delivered] in London with a clear distinctive manuscript "6[d]" charge. It seems likely that at this very early date postal rates were
applied on arrival in London [see the similar 1650 example - from London to Shrewsbury] illustrated in JG-T's 'International Postal Reforms', p.48]. Only a handful of 6d-rate (non-Irish) 'above 140 miles' letters have been recorded prior to the
reduction of inland rates on 18 Jan. 1653. Important Exhibition Item. [Ex Michael Jackson's Grand Prix runner-up Exhibition Collection.] Cross Reference: EARLY LETTERS, EARLY LETTERS, LONDON POSTAL HISTORY (Image) (Image2)
(All Images)
Get Market Data for [Great Britain Collection] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census |
Starting at £ 1,000
SOLD for £2,800.00
Closing..Dec-04, 04:00 AM |
| 1332 |
|
 EARLY POSTAL HISTORY, 1573-1700. BRISTOL "B" DATED BISHOP MARK - VERY EARLY & VERY FINE USAGE (ON ROUTE TO EXETER); 28 Mar.
1697 EL (reinforced in places but well clear of "B" marks; mentions an enclosure) from "Bristoll" to Taunton charged "6[d]" (double rate) with a very fine dated "B/MR/28" Bristol Bishop Mark nicely placed on the side-flap with a second near fine
strike nearby. One of the earliest recorded usages of this rare mark (recorded 1697-1725) that was only used on Cross-Post letters, and in this case on the first part of the Bristol to Exeter road. Exhibition Quality. Cross Reference:
BRISTOL (Image) (Image2)
(All Images)
|
Starting at £ 340
SOLD for £1,600.00
Closing..Dec-04, 04:00 AM |
| 1333 |
|
 EARLY POSTAL HISTORY, 1573-1700. CROMWELLIAN PERIOD FREE COVER SENT FROM EXETER TO AN M.P. IN LONDON; Feb. 1654 EL sent from
"Exon" [i.e. Exeter] by "Thomas Ford" (1598-1674) a famous Devonshire Non-conformist Divine) to the even more famous M.P., Judge and lawyer "ye right Worfull. John Maynard, Serjeant at Law, present at his house in London". Amazingly, Maynard
(1604-1690) remained as an M.P. from 1640 to 1690! Clearly the letter was sent free of postage; a very early example of an M.P. having free mail; they were first given the privilege in the 26 Nov. 1652 Ordinance of the Council of State. [Ex Robson
Lowe's personal collection; Christies RL, 213 Sep. 1998, lot 114 realised £110+BP.]Cross Reference: EARLY LETTERS, EARLY LETTERS, FREE MAIL, LONDON POSTAL HISTORY (Image) (Image2)
(All Images)
Get Market Data for [Great Britain Collection] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census |
Starting at £ 200
SOLD for £800.00
Closing..Dec-04, 04:00 AM |
| 1334 |
|
 EARLY POSTAL HISTORY, 1573-1700. EXETER "E" DATED BISHOP MARK - VERY EARLY & VERY FINE USAGE (ON ROUTE TO BRISTOL); Very fine
6 Aug. 1700 EL (seal hole infilled just clear of "E" mark) from "Bideford" to Taunton but clearly privately carried to Exeter and posted from there, and so charged "2[d]" with a very fine dated "E/AG/7" Exeter Bishop Mark nicely placed on the
side-flap. An early usage of this rare mark (recorded only 1698-1713) that was only used on Cross-Post letters, and in this case on the first part of the Exeter to Bristol road. Exhibition Quality. (Image) (Image2)
(All Images)
|
Starting at £ 500
SOLD for £1,000.00
Closing..Dec-04, 04:00 AM |
| 1335 |
|
 EARLY POSTAL HISTORY, 1573-1700. RARE OFFICIAL FREE "POST HAST HAST WITH SPEED" COVER "FOR YE SPECIALL SERVICE OF YE STATE"
EX "PLIMOUTH SOUND"; Fine 20 July 1654 EL (contents divided from address-sheet, but they clearly belong) from the successful but little-known "[Admiral] John Bourne" (1620-1667) neatly addressed "For the Right Honble. the Commissioners for Admiralty
and Navy at Whitehall" but also endorsed "Post hast hast with speed" at left and "Aboard the Essex under saile in Plimouth Sound this 20th of July 1654" at foot. The writer advises that he is about to sail. Spectacular and very rare combination of a
Cromwellian "Post hast hast" and Official Free cover from a ship in domestic waters. [Listed on p.62 of Galland (2023).] Marvellous Exhibition Item. [Ex Alan Robertson & ex John Levett.] Cross Reference: EARLY LETTERS, EARLY LETTERS, EXPRESS
MAIL (Image) (Image2)
(Image3)
(All Images)
|
Starting at £ 1,000
SOLD for £5,500.00
Closing..Dec-04, 04:00 AM |
| 1336 |
|
 NAMESTAMPS, 1700-1839. THE EXTREMELY RARE TINY CURVED "EXON" MARK - 1st-YEAR USAGE OF EARLIEST RECORDED ENGLISH TOWN NAME
MARK; 22 June 1700 EL (folds neatly to show internal date with address and markings; professionally partly re-backed + some reinforced folds, but attractive) from the "Aylward" Correspondence from "Exon" to London charged "3[d]" but also having a
mainly very fine tiny slightly curved "EXON" mark (DN513) nicely placed on the side-flap beside a fine "IV/24" London arrival Bishop Mark. This EXON mark is the earliest recorded British town namestamp (there are a couple of earlier Irish marks) and
only four examples have been recorded (all dated in 1700 and all from this same Aylward Correspondence). The other 3 examples include a less fine but readily recognisable strike of 1 June 1700 now in the Royal Exeter Museum (since 1939), the faint 20
Apr. 1700 example in the following lot, and a similarly faint 11 May 1700 cover sold in Cavendish's 5 Dec. 2012 'Adrian Almond' auction (part of lot 568). This is by far the clearest strike of the four. A highly Important British Postal History
Exhibition Centre-piece, and the only clear strike available to collectors. [Ex Ron Hake.] (Image) (Image2)
(All Images)
|
Starting at £ 650
SOLD for £2,000.00
Closing..Dec-04, 04:00 AM |
| 1337 |
|
 NAMESTAMPS, 1700-1839. EXTREMELY RARE TINY CURVED "EXON" MARK - 1st-YEAR USAGE WITH EARLY LONDON HS CROWN MARK; 20 Apr. 1700
EL (folds to show internal date beside address & markings; minor toning and slightly thinned paper in parts, but attractive) from the "Aylward" Correspondence (with a full typed transcript) from "Exon" to London charged "3[d]" but which has been
changed to "6[d]" (double rate) with a fine early Handstruck London Inspector's Crown mark. It also has a faint but legible tiny slightly curved "EXON" mark (DN513) nicely placed on the lower flap beside a fine "AP/22" London arrival Bishop Mark.
This is the earliest recorded example of this very rare EXON mark, which is the earliest recorded undated British town namestamp (there are a couple of earlier Irish marks) and only four examples have been recorded (all dated in 1700 and all from
this same Aylward Correspondence; see description of previous lot). [Acquired by Michael in the 1 Aug. 1974 RL PH auction; lot 1281.] Cross Reference: LONDON POSTAL HISTORY, INSPECTORS MARKS (Image) (Image2)
(All Images)
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Starting at £ 200
SOLD for £600.00
Closing..Dec-04, 04:00 AM |
| 1338 |
|
 NAMESTAMPS, 1700-1839. LYME REGIS/LONDON - ONE MENTIONS OF "EXETER CARRIER" + ONE IS INGOING TO EXETER; 30 June 1701 EL from
"Lime Regis" to Aylward in London mentioning money sent via "Mr. Morris, the Exeter carryer"; plus 31 Aug. 1704 EL ex "Chelsey" to "Barly [= Bickleigh] near Exon. Both with Bishop marks and "3[d]" rates, 1704 also with London RH "GC" in circle. Both
in fine condition. (2 covers)Cross Reference: DORSET, LONDON POSTAL HISTORY (Image)
|
Starting at £ 65
SOLD for £170.00
Closing..Dec-04, 04:00 AM |
| 1339 |
|
 NAMESTAMPS, 1700-1839. RARE BOXED 1720 "EXETER" MARK ON PARTLY PREPAID COVER TO BELGIUM WITH LONDON "PD" IN CIRCLE; Very fine
"2 March 1719/20" EL from "Exon" [= Exeter] addressed to a merchant in "Brussell" endorsed "pt. pd. 4" (two early strikes of the black London "PD" In circle transit mark) and having a mainly very fine strike of the very rare boxed "EXETER" mark (only
8 examples recorded, all of 1720-26). It was also charged "6 [stuivers]" on delivery. This may be the earliest recorded example of this mark. Exhibition Quality. Cross Reference: OVERSEAS DESTINATIONS, BELGIUM, LONDON POSTAL HISTORY (Image) (Image2)
(All Images)
|
Starting at £ 100
SOLD for £150.00
Closing..Dec-04, 04:00 AM |
| 1340 |
|
 NAMESTAMPS, 1700-1839. RARE BOXED 1720 "EXETER" MARK ON PARTLY PREPAID DOUBLE-RATE COVER TO BELGIUM; Very fine "26 March
1720" EL from "Exon" [= Exeter] addressed to a merchant in "Brusselle" endorsed "pt. pd. 8d" (with a fine early strike of the black London "PD" in circle transit mark) and having a mainly fine strike of the very rare boxed "EXETER" mark (only 8
examples recorded, all of 1720-26). It was also charged "12 [stuivers]" on delivery. Cross Reference: BELGIUM, OVERSEAS DESTINATIONS, LONDON POSTAL HISTORY (Image) (Image2)
(All Images)
|
Starting at £ 80
SOLD for £85.00
Closing..Dec-04, 04:00 AM |
