Worldwide Stamps & Postal History continued...
United States continued...
| LotNo. |
Symbol |
Cat No. |
Lot Description |
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| 421 |
 |
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 1853 (June 25), redirected stampless folded letter from Pittsburgh to Copenhagen, care of Baring Brothers & Co., London, with contents concerning a distressed property investment, struck with red “PAID” and “19”
credit marking, Boston British Packet transit (20 July), carried aboard the Cunard steamer America to Liverpool (31 July), London Paid and Lombard Street markings (1 Aug), forwarded via Belgium and Prussia to Denmark, manuscript “45” skilling due,
complete contents, filing folds, else very fine and attractive, a less common destination.
The enclosure comprises a June 25 report from Pittsburgh trustees Todd & Smith and a July 16 continuation from Boston by Charles Cunningham,
seeking instructions from George Ryan while he travelled in Europe. The trustees explain that “The title of those lots mortgaged by W. W. Irwin Esqre to Mr. Geo. Ryan is now in us, as trustees,” discussing unsuccessful sales, a sheriff’s sale and the
loss Ryan might accept to dispose of the property. They add candidly that “Mr. Irwin’s habits are now such, that we can expect no assistance from him.” (Image
1)
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Estimate C$ 150
Currently...C$80.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 422 |
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 1856 (July 22), stampless folded letter from Charleston, South Carolina, to Ober-Uster, Switzerland, with contents concerning the writer’s appointment as Swiss Consul, blue folded sheet struck with Charleston
dispatch c.d.s., matching straight-line “PAID” and manuscript “20” cents rating, with magenta boxed “Charge NY No. 2 / Key Box 23” notation and red “NEW-YORK AM. PKT.” 26 Jul exchange c.d.s., endorsed in pencil “P. Steamer Barcelone via Havre” but
carried by the Havre Line Fulton, departing New York 26 Jul, reverse with red Le Havre transit, Le Havre–Paris railway and Strasbourg 9 Aug datestamps, and Zurich 10 Aug transit, orange crayon marking on front and intact red wax armorial seal on
reverse, some oxidation of the manuscript markings, otherwise fresh and very fine, and discussed by Winter in Understanding Transatlantic Mail (Vol. 2, fig. 1-127).
Written in German by J. Y. Meyer to his sister Henriette
Schätti-Meyer, the letter describes his reluctant acceptance of the Swiss consulship following representations by Consul General Hitz in Washington: “A simple clerk like me, who must earn his daily bread, does not look for such a position.” Already
responsible for the Hamburg consulate following Mr. Trapmann’s death, and temporarily for the Prussian consulate during Trapmann Junior’s absence, Meyer complains that these duties bring “heavy labor while the governments pay nothing,” yet adds that
he cannot turn distressed German or Swiss immigrants away empty-handed. Further passages report temperatures reaching “98° in the shade” and the financial ruin of local trading families through speculation. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
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Estimate C$ 250
Currently...C$140.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 423 |
|
|
 1857 (August 5), stampless folded letter from San Francisco to Herford, Prussia, with contents describing a business partner’s shipboard marriage, light blue sheet struck with red “SAN FRANCISCO / CAL. / 30 / PAID”
integral-rate c.d.s., indicating the 30c single rate paid in cash, with pencil “30” alongside, red “N. YORK / 7 / AM. PKT. / PAID” 5 Sep exchange c.d.s. crediting Prussia 7c, carried by the Vanderbilt European Line North Star, departing New York 5
Sep and arriving Southampton 17 Sep, red boxed “AACHEN / 19/9 / FRANCO” transit superimposed over the San Francisco marking, manuscript “Dampfer” endorsement, reverse with Herford 20 Sep arrival c.d.s. and partial red wax seal, a few small spots of
discolouration, fine-very fine, a scarce California origin for Prussian Closed Mail.
Addressed to Th. Weihe in Herford, the intact German-language letter describes the unexpected marriage of the writer’s business partner, Hobe, following the
arrival of his longtime sweetheart in California. In translation, “on the same day that I received your letter, my partner Hobe got married”; informed at five in the morning that he was required aboard a steamer at six, the writer hurried to the
waterfront, where he found Auguste Wright and witnessed the couple married “right on the spot by a pastor.” Further observations on San Francisco life illustrate the personal and commercial ties maintained by German merchant families in California
during the years following the Gold Rush. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
(Image 3)
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Estimate C$ 150
Currently...C$90.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 424 |
|
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 1857 (September 16), stampless folded letter from New York to Edinburgh, with New York Fire contents, as well as news of the financial panic and the Dr. Burdell murder, struck with black “5 / NEW YORK” exchange
c.d.s. and manuscript “1s” due, reverse with “AMERICA / LIVERPOOL” transit (27 Sep), Edinburgh arrival (28 Sep) and red wax seal, complete three-page enclosure, small opening faults at seal, otherwise very fine.
Writing on September
15, Geo. Bruce recalls the December 1835 fire, which he reports destroyed “500 dwelling houses and stores, covering 40 acres,” and a subsequent conflagration that cleared “ten or twelve blocks.” Discussing the current financial crisis, he observes:
“We import too much because foreigners are too ready to sell on credit,” adding that “there is great distress here among the Banks, and those who have used Bank credit.” He also recounts “the deliberate murder of Dr. Burdell at ten o’clock in the
evening in his own room while the inmates of the house were enjoying themselves in adjoining apartments,” noting that the murderer had not been discovered. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
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Estimate C$ 200
Currently...C$120.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 425 |
|
|
 1859 (May 21), maiden voyage of the Vanderbilt Line Ocean Queen, stampless folded letter from New York to Paris, discussing shipping arrangements, cargo logistics and customs bonds, endorsed “Per
Ocean Queen,” with New York dispatch c.d.s., manuscript “36” accountancy marking and “1½” weight notation, blue “J.M. CEBALLOS / NEW-YORK” merchant handstamp and manuscript “24” décimes due marking, carried from New York 21 May to Havre,
arriving 2 Jun, with blue octagonal “ET. UNIS SERV. AM. D / HAVRE” 3 Jun entry datestamp, reverse with same-day Le Havre–Paris railway transit and Paris arrival, minor filing fold wear, an attractive and rare maiden-voyage letter, ex White, Hegland,
Baird. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
(Image 3)
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Estimate C$ 400
Currently...C$250.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 426 |
|
|
 1859 (December 31), cover from Boston to Paris, with detailed contents concerning falling rents and vacant commercial properties, struck with red “BOSTON / PAID / 6” c.d.s. and framed “PAID,” manuscript and blue crayon
rate markings, French maritime entry datestamp (11 Jan 1860), reverse with Paris arrival (12 Jan) and red wax seal, complete cross-written enclosure, some toning and light handling wear, otherwise fine.
Writing to his brother on
December 30, George W. Collamore reports that “Rents in this City have declined; say full 25% from what they were three years ago,” adding that extensive building had left many stores and lofts vacant, while “tenants felt independent and it was
necessary to approach them carefully.” He notes that the lofts above the Blackstone Street stores were vacant and that one tenant refused to renew without a substantial reduction, concluding: “Perhaps there never was so many houses and stores for
rent in this City before.” (Image 1)
(Image 2)
(Image 3)
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Estimate C$ 140
Currently...C$70.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 427 |
|
|
 1862 (circa), Civil War Union patriotic cover from Laconia to New Hampton, New Hampshire, depicting Liberty holding the flag, franked with 1857-61 3c dull red, tied by neatly-struck Laconia N.H. c.d.s., slightly reduced
at right just touching adhesive at top, light stain at lower left, else fine with the illustration quite fresh. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
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Estimate C$ 100
Currently...C$60.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 428 |
|
|
 1862 (circa), General McClellan embossed Civil War patriotic cover to Dyberry, Wayne County, Pennsylvania, franked with 3c rose tied by indistinct double-circle c.d.s., red and white borders on back flaps, some edge
creasing and a small fault at lower right, but an uncommon patriotic.
George B. McClellan organised and commanded the Army of the Potomac, earning considerable loyalty from his troops, though his cautious conduct repeatedly frustrated
President Lincoln. He was removed from command in November 1862, and later challenged Lincoln unsuccessfully in the 1864 Presidential election, running as the Democratic candidate. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
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Estimate C$ 100
Currently...C$50.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 429 |
|
|
 1862 (circa), Union Civil War patriotic cover from Illinois to Canada, depicting a 34-star flag and firing cannon, franked with 1861-2 10c green, tied by circular black grid cancel, Amboy (22 Oct) despatch c.d.s. at
centre and U. STATES / PAID / 10 exchange handstamp in red, to Thornhill, Canada West, with partial double split-ring arrival backstamp, vertical fold and some light creasing, but an uncommon cross-border patriotic usage. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
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Estimate C$ 150
Currently...C$80.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 430 |
|
|
 1862 (September 20), Civil War Union patriotic cover from Utica to South Trenton, New York, depicting Liberty holding the flag, franked with 1861-2 3c rose, tied by circular grid cancel and postmarked with Utica
double-circle datestamp, slightly reduced at right and stain at upper left, clear of illustration, else fine. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
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Estimate C$ 100
Currently...C$60.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 431 |
|
|
 1865 (June 27), Ball correspondence cover from Boston to Florence, Italy, franked with 1861-2 1c blue and 10c green vertical pair, prepaying the 21c French treaty rate for ¼-½ oz, tied by segmented cork cancels,
postmarked with crisp Boston PAID 18 c.d.s., framed P.D. in red above, black "Et. Unis Serv. Br 6" French entry c.d.s. (9 Jul), reverse with oval transit and partial c.d.s. receiver, back flap partially cut out, else fresh and very fine. (Sc. 63,
68).
Thomas Ball (1819-1911), was an American sculptor best known for his equestrian George Washington in Boston’s Public Garden and the Emancipation Memorial in Washington. He married Ellen Louisa Wild in 1854 and travelled with her
to Florence to study sculpture. After several years in Boston working on the Washington monument, the couple returned to Florence in 1865 to rejoin its expatriate artistic community. This letter is signed "Mother," sent from Ellen’s mother, Eliza
Wild. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
(Image 3)
(Image 4)
(Image 5)
(Image 6)
(Image 7)
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Estimate C$ 350
Currently...C$180.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 432 |
|
|
 1868, Ulysses S. Grant & Schuyler Colfax campaign cover, franked with 3c green, likely not originating, to Hartford, Connecticut, some creasing and ink staining at right, but an uncommon illustrated
Republican campaign cover.
The 1868 Republican campaign saw Union war hero Ulysses S. Grant seek office with House Speaker Schuyler Colfax as his running mate, under the slogan “Let Us Have Peace.” Their victory over the Democratic
candidates brought Grant to the presidency in the first presidential election following the abolition of slavery. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
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Estimate C$ 100
Currently...C$60.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 433 |
|
|
 1882 (circa), "Our Union Forever" patriotic cover, franked with 1881-2 1c gray-blue, tied by Philadelphia oval cancellation, redirected from Buchanan to Litchfield, Michigan, reverse with imprint of John P. Charlton of
Philadelphia on flap, some pencil docketing on reverse and perf toning to adhesive, else a quite attractive post-Civil War usage. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
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Estimate C$ 200
Currently...C$120.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 434 |
|
UY4 |
 1905 (May 19), 1c Sheridan reply card uprated from Suvalki, Russia, to Detroit, with 1c Louisiana Purchase commemorative tied by Cyrillic Suvalki c.d.s., Kursenai transit on front and further mostly indistinct datestamps,
some corner creasing, an unusual return usage from present-day Poland, particularly with commemorative uprating. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
(All Images)
Get Market Data for [United States UY4] View Visual Pricing Guide Make Sample Census |
Estimate C$ 80
Currently...C$50.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 435 |
 / / |
499b, 499 |
 1917, 2c rose Washington, block of eight, imperforate vertically at centre, hinge remnant in places and a few tiny superficial thins, straight-edge at foot, bright colour, fine-very fine. (Image 1)
Get Market Data for [United States 499b, 499] View Visual Pricing Guide Make Sample Census |
Scott U$ 1,800
Currently...C$200.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 436 |
|
|
 1924 (July 2), registered naval cover from U.S.S. California to Los Angeles, California, on the printed stationery of the Bank of Italy, Los Angeles Branch, franked with a single 12c brown-carmine Washington, tied by oval
U.S.S. California c.d.s. (2 Jul), with violet Registered / No. 17 box handstamp, reverse with three U.S.S. California registered transit strikes (2 Jul) and Los Angeles registered arrival backstamp (8 Jul), very fine.
The U.S.S.
California was serving as flagship of the Battle Fleet at the time this cover was mailed, the 12c franking correctly paying the 2c domestic letter rate plus the 10c registration fee. She was sunk at Pearl Harbor on 7 Dec 1941 by two torpedoes and a
bomb, with the loss of 100 crew members. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
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Estimate C$ 50
Currently...C$50.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 437 |
|
|
 1928 (October 27), Graf Zeppelin first flight cover from New York to Cologne, franked at $1.05 for the rate to Germany, cancelled by Varick Street Station slogan cancel and New York USA Foreign ovals, typed endorsement
"per 'Graf Zeppelin'" and struck with violet FIRST FLIGHT AIRMAIL / VIA GRAF ZEPPELIN / UNITED STATES - GERMANY confirmation cachet, some edge wear, else fine. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
(Image 3)
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Estimate C$ 120
Currently...C$70.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 438 |
|
647 |
 1928, 2c Hawaii, complete sheet of 100, with plate number 18984 at upper left, never hinged, the odd trivial gum bend, else fresh and fine. (Image 1)
Get Market Data for [United States 647] View Visual Pricing Guide Make Sample Census |
Scott U$ 725
Currently...C$100.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 439 |
|
|
 1932/1941, selection of ten Navy Asiatic Fleet covers, three cacheted, with ship cancellations noting U.S.S. Mindanao at Hong Kong and Kwangtung Province, U.S.S. Guam at Ichang and Chungking, U.S.S. Panay at Ichang and
U.S.S. Tutuila at Lungmenhao Lagoon, among others, overall fine or better. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
(Image 3)
(Image 4)
(Image 5)
(All Images)
Get Market Data for [United States Collection] View Visual Pricing Guide Make Sample Census |
Estimate C$ 100
Currently...C$50.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 440 |
|
|
 1989 (circa), Stamp Venturers “Eagle and Flag Over Trees” imperforate test coil roll of approximately 3,000 stamps, unused, printed in grey-black on white unwatermarked wove paper with dull gum, design featuring a large
“A” at lower right, corresponding to type TE60 used for TD119/TD120, intact roll with clean slit edges and no reverse counting numbers, an unusual production item for the test stamp specialist, sound and very fine. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
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Estimate C$ 100
Currently...C$60.00
Will close during Public Auction |
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