United States Postal History continued...
B.F. Stevens, Despatch Agent
| LotNo. |
Symbol |
CatNo. |
Lot Description |
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| 762 |
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 U.S. Despatch Agt, N.Y. (Care of). Directive on reverse of cover addressed on same side to "His Excellency, James Buchanan, U.S. Minister at London", likely enclosed in another envelope and sent to the Despatch
Agent in New York to be forwarded to London, front side initially addressed to Mrs. Henry D. Landis (Catherine, sister of General John F. Reynolds) in Philadelphia, franked with 1851, 3¢ dull red, two singles (11) tied by "San
Francisco, Cal., Sep 13" cds; cover edge wear and missing top flap, F.-V.F., an early and unusual forwarded U.S. Despatch Agent usage from the west coast.
Estimate; $300 - 400.
This cover was likely sent by General John F.
Reynold during his travels to or during his engagement in the Rogue River Wars in Southern Oregon and was forwarded on to James Buchanan in 1855-56.
(Image1) (Image2)
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Est. $300-400
Selling for...$150.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 763 |
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 United States Despatch Agent, B.F. Stevens, London, Au 4, 1866. Clear strike of oval date stamp in black (type I) on reverse of "United States Consulate, Queenstown, Cork" imprint cover, addressed to Illinois C.R.R.
Office in New York, Very Fine, this being the earliest known B.F. Stevens Despatch Agent marking and one of only two known in black.
Estimate; $500 - 750.
This marking was struck only 42 days after Benjamin Stevens was
appointed as agent while living in London. The other oval in black was used two days later on the reverse of a mourning cover. (Image1) (Image2)
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Est. $500-750
Selling for...$250.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 764 |
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 United States Despatch Agent, B.F. Stevens, London, Oct 22 1866. Red type I oval date stamp on reverse of cover to Consul of the United States in Leipzig, Germany, franked with G.B. 1865, 6d violet (45)
tied by "Charing Cross W.C., Oc 22, 66" duplex postmark, blue "England Per Aachen" transit date stamp; stamp with tear and edge toning, F.-V.F., an early use of the Stevens type I date stamp.
Estimate; $150 - 200.
The addressee,
Timothy Y. Dickerson, was the founder of the "Waterloo Press" in Waterloo, Ind. was commissioned Consul at Leipzig by Abraham Lincoln on April 13, 1865 (the day before his assassination), a position he held for two years. (Image1) (Image2)
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Est. $150-200
Selling for...$80.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 765 |
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 United States Despatch Agent, B.F. Stevens, London, Nov 12, 1866. Red type I oval handstamp on cover addressed to "Hiram Sibley, Vice President of the Western Union Telegraph Company" in Rochester, N.Y., letter sent
from St. Petersbugh, Russia by diplomatic pouch from U.S. Ambassador to Russia, General Cassius M. Clay to Stevens in London, posted through the mails with G.B. 1sh (since fallen off) tied by "London, No 12, 66" duplex postmark, red N.Y. exchange
cds and "21 Cents" credit handstamp, pencil "Genl Clay" docketing at left; cover soiling and edge nicks at top, F.-V.F. appearance, a rare Despatch Agent usage from Russia, accompanied by photocopy of the original enclosure.
Estimate; $200
- 300.
The contents of this cover are located in the Hiram Sibley Family papers housed at the University of Rochester Library. The contents concerns Sibley's project to build a Trans Siberian Telegraph Line to connect Europe to America.
That project became irrelevant by the successful completion of the Trans-Atlantic Cable in 1868. (Image1)
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Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 766 |
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 United States Despatch Agent, B.F. Stevens, London, Jan 11 1870. Red oval type II date stamp on cover addressed to the U.S. Frigate "Franklin" in care of Stevens in London, franked with 1869, 12¢ green
(117) tied by "Evansville, Ind., Dec 27" cds and cork duplex, red "New York, Dec 30" exchange cds and London entry postmark, Very Fine, this cover left New York on January 3, 1870 after the rate had dropped to 6¢.
Estimate; $200 -
300. (Image1)
|
Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 767 |
|
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 United States Despatch Agent, B.F. Stevens, London, Mar 14 1870. Perfect strike red oval type II date stamp on cover addressed to the U.S. Ship "Richmond" in the European Squadron, franked with 1869, 6¢
ultramarine (116) tied by "Washington D.C., Feb 28" cds and quartered cork duplex, red "New York, Mar 2" exchange cds and London entry cds' cover slightly reduced at right, Very Fine, a very attractive usage.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)
|
Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 768 |
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 United States Despatch Agent, B.F. Stevens, London, May 30, 1871. Red oval type II date stamp on "Legation of the United States, Florence" corner card cover to Greenfield, Mass., sent under diplomatic pouch to
Washington D.C., forwarded with blue "Department of State U.S.A." handstamp and "R.S. Chew" chief clerk free frank signature below, bold "Washington D.C., Free, Jun 14" cds, with original enclosure from envoy George P. Marsh providing exchange rates
for Italian Lira, French Francs, British Pound Sterling and the U.S. dollar; cover tear at top and most of backflap missing, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200. (Image1)
|
Est. $150-200
Selling for...$80.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 769 |
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 United States Despatch Agent, B.F. Stevens, London, May 30 1871. Red oval type II date stamp on cover to the U.S. Consul in Piraeus, Greece, franked with Great Britain 1865, 4p vermilion, horizontal pair
(43) tied by "London W.C., My 30, 71" duplex postmarks, transit and receiving backstamps, with two original enclosures; cover opening nick at lower right, Very Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200. (Image1)
|
Est. $150-200
Selling for...$80.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 770 |
|
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 United States Despatch Agent, B.F. Stevens, London, Oct 5, 1871. Choice strike of red type II date stamp on oversized cover to the editor of The St. Cloud Journal in St. Cloud, Minn., sent by United States
Minister at Stockholm Gen. C.C. Andrews with manuscript "Legation of the United States, Stockholm" endorsement at top, blue "Department of State U.S.A." handstamp with "R.S. Chew C.C." Chief Clerk free frank signature below, entered the mails with
"Washington D.C., Free, Oct 18" cds; some cover edge wear and small tear at left, still Very Fine, a scarce diplomatic pouch usage from Sweden.
Estimate; $300 - 400. (Image1)
Get Market Data for [United States Collection] View Visual Pricing Guide Make Sample Census |
Est. $300-400
Selling for...$150.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 771 |
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 United States Despatch Agent, B.F. Stevens, London, Dec 13 1871. Red oval type II date stamp on "Consulate, United States of America, Dublin, Ireland" corner card cover addressed to Edward D. Neill in West
Philadelphia, Pa., sent by diplomatic pouch to Washington D.C. and forwarded with blue straight line "Secretary of State U.S.A." handstamp and "R.S. Chew" free frank signature, partial "Washington D.C., Jan 2" cds, cover forwarded again to St.
Anthony, Minn. with forwarding postmark at top; small sealed cover tear at top, Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300.
Edward Neill was the assistant secretary to President Lincoln from 1864 to 1865 and remained at the White House as
an aide to President Andrew Johnson. He later served as a diplomat in Dublin and educator at Minnesota's Macalester College. (Image1)
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Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 772 |
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 United States Despatch Agent, B.F. Stevens, London, Aug 5, 1873. Red oval type II date stamp on cover address to New York Times writer, John Swinton in New York, with blue "United States Legation, Madrid, July 31,
1873" origin oval handstamp with manuscript date and blue crayon "Gen Sickles" docketing at top, posted by Stevens franked with G.B. 1873, 3d rose (61) tied by "Charring Cross, Au 5, 73" duplex postmark, red N.Y. entry postmark and
receiving backstamp; stamp flaws and cover missing most of backflap, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200.
A story in the August 23, 1873 edition of the New York Times entitled "Sickles on Spain" emanated from this cover and
reads…"Gen Sickles believes in the Spanish Republic, and in men who are now managing its affairs". In a letter dated Madrid, Aug 1, addressed to John Swinton, of this City, who recently published a defense of the new Radical Republic, Gen.
Sickles says; "It is a pity that the sincere and able men laboring to promote the welfare of Spain under republican institutions, should meet with so much discouragement, and, I might add, misrepresentation, in the American press. The Spanish
Republicans show unexpected fortitude and perseverance, and it is quite premature to predict the failure of the movement, as too may do."
(Image1)
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Est. $150-200
Selling for...$80.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 773 |
|
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 United States Despatch Agent, B.F. Stevens, London, Jan 5 1876. Red oval type II date stamp on folded letter addressed to the United States Consul at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands in care of Stevens in London,
franked with Great Britain, 1864, 1d rose red (33) tied by "London E.C., Ja 4, 76" duplex postmark, reverse with clear "London W.C., Ja 4, 76, S.M.P." (special mail pouch) cds, enclosure with interesting content…"we were the Bankers
for the American Government in Europe and did not charge any commission to Diplomat Agents, or Consuls of the Government. As this is no longer the case…", Very Fine and choice.
Estimate; $400 - 600.
The addressee,
George Gerard, was the American Consul in Port Stanley at the time. (Image1)
|
Est. $400-600
Selling for...$200.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 774 |
|
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 United States Despatch Agent, B.F. Stevens, London, 30 Sep 78. Clear sharp strike of red oval type III date stamp on cover addressed to the U.S.S. "Gettysburg" in care of Stevens in London, franked with 1873,
3¢ green, two singles (158) tied by "New York, Sep 19, 78" duplex postmarks, cover "forwarded to Malta via Italy" with "Charing Crossing, Oc 2, 78" duplex and "T" due handstamp, transit and receiving backstamps, Very Fine, a very rare
example of the Stevens red type II oval date stamp.
Estimate; $300 - 400.
Richard Graham in his article in Linns Stamp News (Oct. 29, 1984) records only three examples of this date stamp in red used between January 4th and 7th, 1879.
This example is most likely the earliest example and appears to be used along with the type II date stamp. (Image1)
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Est. $300-400
Selling for...$150.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 775 |
|
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 United States Despatch Agent, B.F. Stevens, London, 1 Mar 81. Red oval type III date stamp on "Department of State, Consulate of the United States, Londonderry." corner card cover to Pittsburgh, Pa., franked with
State Dept., 1873, 3¢ dark green (O59) tied by "Washington, D.C., Mar 12, 1881" cds and "L" in target duplex, receiving backstamp, Very Fine, a scarce incoming Consular use from the United States Legation in Ireland.
Estimate;
$500 - 750. (Image1)
|
Est. $500-750
Selling for...$250.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 776 |
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 United States Despatch Agent, B.F. Stevens, London, 9 Dec 81. Purple oval type III date stamp on county clerk's corner card cover addressed to the U.S.S. "Galena" in care of Stevens in London, franked with 1879,
5¢ blue (185) canceled by "Salem, N.J., Nov 24, 1881" cds and grid duplex, Philadelphia, Pa. transit and receiving backstamps, forwarded with purple "Care of the United States Consul" and red manuscript "Teneriffe, Canary
Islands" destination below, Very Fine, a rare destination.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)
|
Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 777 |
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 United States Despatch Agent, B.F. Stevens, London, 13 Feb 82. Purple oval type III date stamp on cover addressed to the U.S.S. "Quinnebaug" in care of Stevens in London, franked with 1879, 2¢ vermilion +
3¢ green (183, 185) tied by "Taftville, Conn., Jan 3" duplex postmark, forwarded with purple "Care of the United States Consul, Alexandria Egypt" three-line handstamp, reverse with receiving backstamp, Very Fine.
Estimate;
$200 - 300. (Image1)
|
Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 778 |
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 B.F. Stevens, 4 Trafalgar Sq., London (Care of). Endorsement on cover addressed to the U.S.S. "Marion" at Gibraltar, franked with 1882, 5¢ yellow brown (205) tied by "Washington, D.C., Apr 7, 85"
duplex postmark, forwarded to Malta with "Gilbraltar, Ap 22, 85" duplex postmark, reverse with "Malta, My 2, 85" receiving cds with purple "United States Consulate, Malta" circular handstamp below docketed "Rec'd at…May 2nd, Forwarded
May 4"; some cover corner wear, still Very Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200. (Image1) (Image2)
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Est. $150-200
Selling for...$80.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 779 |
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 United States Despatch Agent, B.F. Stevens, London, 1 Jul 85. Purple oval type III date stamp on cover addressed to the U.S.S. "Quinnebaug" in care of Stevens in London, franked with 1881, 1¢ gray blue + 1883,
2¢ red brown, vertical pair (206, 210) tied by "Washington, D.C., Jun 19, 85" duplex postmark, forwarded with purple "Care of the United States Consul, Smyna, Turkey" three-line handstamp, reverse with receiving backstamp; small cover
edge nick at left, Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)
|
Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction |
| 780 |
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 United States Despatch Agent, B.F. Stevens, London, 5 Oct 85. Purple oval date stamp on 2¢ brown entire uprated with 1881-83, 5¢ yellow brown + 1¢ gray blue + 2¢ red brown (205-206, 210), all
tied by "Emmitsburg, Md., Sep 25, 1885" cds and target duplexes, addressed in care of Stevens to the U.S.S. "Omaha", forwarded with matching "Care of the, United States Consul, Egypt" three line handstamp and "Charing Cross, Oc 9, 85"
postmark, cover sent down the Suez to meet up with the Omaha on its way to the Asiatic Station; cover with corner clip at lower right, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)
|
Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction |
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