The John Barwis Collection of Philadelphia Postal History

**Benjamin Franklin Free Frank**
LotNo.	Symbol	CatNo.	Lot Description
3001			Benjamin Franklin. Folded cover addressed to "*Dr. Franklin, Craven Street in the Strand, London", Edinburgh "IA 30" backstamp and manuscript "6" pence due rating, London "3/FE" Bishop mark arrival backstamp, rating crossed out and sent free of charge with red London "Free" in circle handstamp, manuscript receipt docketing "Dr. Robertson 1770" on flap (almost certainly in Franklin's own hand); reinforced with some aging and wear, F.-V.F.,* ex-Dr. Robertson. Estimate; $4,000 - 6,000. A RARE 1770 FREE USE TO BENJAMIN FRANKLIN FROM EDINBURGH TO LONDON. This cover was sent from the President Dr. William Robertson of Edinburgh College to Franklin during his term as Deputy Postmaster General, which allowed him to send and receive mail free of charge. William Robertson (1721-1793) was a Scottish historian, minister in the Church of Scotland, and Principal of the University of Edinburgh. The thirty years he presided over the college were some of its greatest. He made significant contributions to the writing of Scottish history and the history of Spain and Spanish America. He was Chaplain of Stirling Castle and one of the King's Chaplains in Scotland. (Image1)	Est. $4,000-6,000 CLOSED Will close during Public Auction

**Philadelphia Foreign Mail: 1709-1775 Colonial Period**
LotNo.	Symbol	CatNo.	Lot Description
3002			1708 (Sep. 22) Philadelphia Pa. to Jamaica. Folded cover neatly addressed "To Jonathn. Dickinson, To be left with Ezeikeil Gommersale, Mercht., In Jamaica" with sender's directive "p Capt Bayly" who was Captain of the Hannah, receipt docketing "Philadia 22 9ber 1708, Isaac Norris Lettr. p ye Hannah…Bayly Commandr. who arrived Xber 9 & carried to hand the 25 Decembr", letter was written by Isaac Norris in Philadelphia on September 22, arrived at the Gomersall Plantation in Jamaica on December 9, and received by Jonathan Dickinson on December 25; small erosion spot in address, Very Fine and rare early mail from the American Colonies to Jamaica, ex-Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500. The addressee, Jonathan Dickinson (1663-1722), was a Quaker merchant from Port Royal, Jamaica, who along with his family and crew on board the "Reformation" were shipwrecked off the Florida coast in 1696. The party was held captive by Jobe ("Hoe-bay") Indians for several days, and then was allowed to travel by small boat and on foot the 230 miles up the coast to Saint Augustine. The party was subjected to harassment and physical abuse at almost every step of the journey to Saint Augustine. During the arduous trip, five members of the Dickinson party died from exposure and starvation. Spanish authorities in Saint Augustine received the surviving members of the party and sent them by canoe to Charleston S.C., where they were able to find passage to their original destination, Philadelphia. Dickinson's family eventually settled there, and he prospered as a merchant and real estate owner, twice serving as Mayor in 1712-1713 and 1717-1719. Jonathan Dickinson's journal, written in 1697, is the earliest description of Native American culture in eastern Florida. The sender, Isaac Norris (1671-1735) was a wealthy Quaker merchant, mayor of Philadelphia in 1724 and member of the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly for many years. The Norris family emigrated from England to Jamaica around 1678, and in 1690 Isaac went to Philadelphia to arrange for his family to move to that city, but on his return he found that they had all died in the great earthquake of 1692 at Port Royal. He returned to Philadelphia and settled into business as a merchant and politician, becoming one of the wealthiest proprietors in Pennsylvania. While he was in England in 1706, he came to the aid of William Penn in his difficulties and rescued him from imprisonment. (Image1) Get Market Data for [Great Britain Collection]	Est. $1,000-1,500 SOLD for $1,000.00 Will close during Public Auction
3003			1712 (Jul. 2) Philadelphia Pa. to Liverpool, England. Datelined folded letter endorsed "pr mary hoop galley Capt John annis commdr" at bottom left, carried as endorsed by private ship "Mary Hoop" to London arriving Aug. 25th, London small "AV/25" bishop mark backstamp and "5" pence rating, which is crossed out and updated to "inall 9" pence due from addressee; some light staining, Fine and scarce early private ship letter. Estimate; $300 - 400. (Image1)	Est. $300-400 CLOSED Will close during Public Auction
3004			1712 (Aug. 29) Philadelphia Pa. to Liverpool, England via New York. Datelined folded letter from the Brown correspondence, privately carried to New York where transferred to private ship Andrews from New York Aug. 25th to Lisbon, put aboard the British mail packet Queen to Falmouth arrival Nov. 18th, then carried to London Foreign Post Office where rated at the "*1/6" (1s 6d) Lisbon packet rate, which included carriage from Falmouth to London, passed to the London Inland Post Office where the inland postage to Liverpool (4d) was added and rerated "In all 1N10" for total due of 1s 10d, London "NO/21" Bishop backstamp, Very Fine,* ex-Siskin. Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000. THE ONLY RECORDED PHILADELPHIA LETTER VIA THE LISBON-FALMOUTH PACKET. This letter was probably intended for the packet to Bristol, advertised as the Edgley. The Edgley never reached New York, but sailed into Philadelphia on May 3, 1712 for repairs. She did not return to Bristol, but left Philadelphia for Nevis on June 5th. The Edgley was the last advertised Bristol Packet. The Brown correspondence yielded the three recorded 1712-13 Bristol packet letters. In 1712, only a letter via packet from Lisbon would have been charged 1s6d in London. (Image1)	Est. $2,000-3,000 CLOSED Will close during Public Auction
3005			1715 (Sep. 30) Philadelphia Pa. to Liverpool, England. Datelined folded letter from the Brown correspondence, sent unpaid by private ship to London, mails ashore at Deal, London "NO/28" Bishop arrival backstamp and rated "Inall 7" pence inland postage due for 3d from Deal to London and 4d London to Liverpool, docketed as received Dec. 1st, 61 days transit; some edge wear, Very Fine and early ship letter. Estimate; $500 - 750. (Image1)	Est. $500-750 CLOSED Will close during Public Auction
3006			1734 (Mar. 5) Philadelphia Pa. to London, England. Datelined folded letter to Isaac Norris in care of the "Pennsylvania Coffee House", endorsed "via Bristoll", sent unpaid by private ship to Bristol where rated "5" pence due for 4d inland to London plus 1d ship fee, London "21/IV" Bishop backstamp, docketed received May 1st, 58 days transit; silked, toned file fold, Fine and scarce use endorsed for collection at a coffee house. Estimate; $400 - 600. The Pennsylvania Coffee House provided a place for businessmen and politicians with an interest in the colony to meet for socializing and deal-making. Letters could be delivered there, and a ship's bag was available for patrons to deposit their letters for Philadelphia, paying the ship captain 1d. This coffee house was on Birchin Lane near the Lombard Street post office. Benjamin Franklin used this coffee house as his address at times during his stays in London in 1750s-60s. (Image1) Get Market Data for [United States Collection]	Est. $400-600 SOLD for $500.00 Will close during Public Auction
3007			1737 (Jun. 30) London, England to Philadelphia Pa. via Boston. Docketed folded cover with manuscript "*B Sh:" postmark and matching "7dwt -16gr" rating, the "16" appears to be crossed out; file folds, Very Fine and early Boston ship letter.* Estimate; $500 - 750. During this period, letters sent from Boston to destinations outside of New England were rated not in local currency, but in pennyweight (dwt) and grains (gn) of coined silver (1 Sh sterling = 3 dW1; 1 dW1 = 24 gn). The rate of 7dwt, 16gr in silver was equal to the published rate in sterling for a single ship letter sent from Boston to Philadelphia, including a 16gr ship fee. (Image1) Get Market Data for [Great Britain Stampless]	Est. $500-750 SOLD for $475.00 Will close during Public Auction
3008			1739 (Apr. 15) England to Philadelphia Pa. Folded cover from England to John Reynell in Philadelphia with sender's instructions "To be put on board the Elizabeth ~ Stevenson Lying in the Downes", Bristol "15/AV" bishop backstamp and matching "PD" in circle handstamp with red manuscript "P 4" prepaid rating, receipt docketing "From Capt. James Allan, Recd. 2nd Novembr. 1739 p the Elize. Capt. Stevenson"; age stains, Fine and rare prepaid ship letter. Estimate; $750 - 1,000. The Drummer and Bristol packets had ceased service in 1711-12. No colonial postage was due as Elizabeth sailed directly to Philadelphia. (Image1) Get Market Data for [Great Britain Stampless]	Est. $750-1,000 SOLD for $400.00 Will close during Public Auction
3009			1745 (Nov. 8) London, England to Philadelphia Pa. Docketed folded cover addressed to John Kinsey Esqr., Chief Justice of the Province of Pennsylvania, endorsed via "via Bristol" at bottom left, sent unpaid by private ship from Bristol Nov. 10th to Boston arriving Jan. 23rd, entered mails with manuscript "*Bo Sh" postmark and "7.16" (7dwt 16gr) rating, reverse with "London 11mo 8th 1745" docketing and Jan. 26th arrival; light cover toning, tiny erosion spot, Fine.* Estimate; $300 - 400. (Image1)	Est. $300-400 SOLD for $200.00 Will close during Public Auction
3010			1746-1794 Philadelphia Private Ship Mail and Early Uses. Group of 15 folded covers, 12 carried by private ship, several with sender's ship-name endorsements and large group from Philadelphia to Bristol with various landing ports and rating, one early "Way 16" use to Philadelphia; etc.; mixed condition, F.-V.F. Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500. (Image1) Get Market Data for [United States Stampless]	Est. $1,000-1,500 CLOSED Will close during Public Auction
3011			1748 (Oct. 10) Philadelphia Pa. to London, England. Folded cover with "*Phi. paid dwt 3:8" written in Benjamin Franklin's hand (who was Postmaster at this time)* for 3dwt (9d) inland to New York plus 8gr (1d) outgoing ship fee, first endorsement crossed out and updated to "p first ship from NYK", carried by private ship from New York Jan. 2nd to Dover arriving Apr. 15th for 106 day voyage, Dover "15/AP" Bishop backstamp and "4" pence due rating for 3¢ inland to London plus 1d ship fee, London "17/AP" arrival backstamp and rerated "4" pence due; some splitting reinforced, Very Fine, with 2019 P.F. certificate. Estimate; $7,500 - 10,000. ONE OF ONLY TWO PREPAID SHIP LETTERS FROM PHILADELPHIA RECORDED. Benjamin Franklin was the Philadelphia Postmaster from 1737 to 1753. (Image1)	Est. $7,500-10,000 SOLD for $13,000.00 Will close during Public Auction
3012			1749 (Sep. 30) Philadelphia Pa. to London, England. Manuscript docketing on inside of folded letter sheet to London, England addressed "To be left at the Pennsylvania Coffee-House in Birchin Lane", endorsed "pr the Dolphin, Capt LeGros, QDC" ship endorsement, carried as endorsed by Sloop Dolphin from Philadelphia Oct. 5th, London "2/DE" Bishop mark arrival backstamp and manuscript "10" pence due rating; tone spots and some splitting at folds, Fine and scarce use endorsed for collection at a coffee house. Estimate; $400 - 600. London rated "10" pence due for a 1 oz. letter of two-times 4d inland plus 1d ship fee and 1d delivery. The Pennsylvania Coffee House provided a place for businessmen and politicians with an interest in the colony to meet for socializing and deal-making. Letters could be delivered there, and a ship's bag was available for patrons to deposit their letters for Philadelphia, paying the ship captain 1d. This coffee house was on Birchin Lane near the Lombard Street post office. Benjamin Franklin used this coffee house as his address at times during his stays in London in 1750s-60s. (Image1) Get Market Data for [United States Collection]	Est. $400-600 SOLD for $375.00 Will close during Public Auction
3013			1756 (Sep. 11) London, England to Philadelphia Pa. Folded cover to John Reynell with London "11/SE" Bishop mark backstamp and red manuscript "P 1N" prepaid 1sh packet rating, endorsed "The Packet" at lower left, carried by Packet General Wall from Falmouth Sep. 11th to New York arriving Nov. 8th, brownish-black "NEW/YORK" two-line handstamp and red manuscript "3^dwt" rating for inland postage to Philadelphia where rated "1/3" 1sh 3d in local currency (3dwt = 9d stg., 9d x 1.66 = 15d = 1/3), receipt docketing "From Elias Bland, reced 11th mon: 10th 1756 p the Packet"; some reinforced fold splitting, Very Fine and early Falmouth-New York packet cover, ex-Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Estimate; $500 - 750. The distance from New York to Philadelphia was known to be less than 100 miles, but the rate was nevertheless set at 3 pennyweights of silver (3dwt),or 9d sterling This rate was determined by subtracting the Boston-New York rate (1s) from the Boston-Philadelphia rate (1s9d). Coinage was scarce, so payment of postage due was often made in local Pennsylvania currency. One pennyweight = three pence sterling. Sterling x 1.66 = local Pennsylvania currency. There was neither a requirement nor the facility to prepay Colonial inland postage in Great Britain. Seven-Years War Results in Introduction of Falmouth-New York Packet Service In November 1755 Great Britain introduced packet service to speed communication with military units in the American colonies, who were engaged in what Americans call the French and Indian Wars. (Image1)	Est. $500-750 SOLD for $375.00 Will close during Public Auction
3014			1757 (Jan. 9) London, England to Philadelphia Pa. Folded cover with London "9/IA" Bishop mark backstamp and red "P 1N" prepaid 1sh packet rating, carried by Packet General Wall from Falmouth Jan. 21st but returned to port and resailed Feb. 10th to New York arriving Mar. 22nd, New York red "*NY 3^dwt" rating for inland postage to Philadelphia where rated "1/3" 1sh 3d in local currency (3dwt = 9d stg., 9d x 1.66 = 15d = 1/3), receipt docketing "From Mary Groth rece'd 24th of 3 mon. 1757 via New York", reverse with additional "RG" in circle; minor tone spot and wear, Very Fine and scarce manuscript New York postmark,* ex-Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Estimate; $500 - 750. (Image1) Get Market Data for [Great Britain Stampless]	Est. $500-750 CLOSED Will close during Public Auction
3015			1759 (Jan. 16) London, England to Philadelphia Pa. Folded cover to John Reynell with London "16/IA" Bishop mark backstamp and red "1N6" rating updated to "P 1N" prepaid 1sh packet rating, endorsed "p the Packett, QDC" at lower left, carried by Packet General Wall from Falmouth Jan. 21st to New York arriving Mar. 5th, New York "3^dwt" rating for inland postage to Philadelphia, receipt docketing "From John Edwin, Rece'd 3 mon 17. 1759, p Packett", instructions on back "If gone to be sent back to James Woodbridge, London"; Very Fine. Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)	Est. $200-300 CLOSED Will close during Public Auction
3016			1764 (Feb. 29) London, England to Philadelphia Pa. via New York. Folded cover docketed "London, Febry, 29th 1764", London "10/MR" Bishop mark backstamp and red manuscript "P 2N" prepaid 2sh double-weight packet rating, carried by packet Harriet from Falmouth Mar. 17th to New York arriving May 2nd, magenta "New/York" two-line postmark on flap and manuscript "6" dwt rating for inland postage of two-times the 3dwt rate to Philadelphia where rated "2/8" 2sh 8d in local currency (6dwt = 18d stg., 18d x 1.66 = 30d + 2d carrier fee = 2/8), docketed "Rece'd p Packet, May 4th. 1764. pd postge. 2/8 & 5d", Very Fine use sent on the Leap Year of 1764. Estimate; $300 - 400. Westbound trips took at least two months plus an overland trip to Philadelphia of at least two days. Scheduled, one-day stage service between New York and Philadelphia was unavailable until 1785. (Image1) Get Market Data for [Great Britain Stampless]	Est. $300-400 SOLD for $290.00 Will close during Public Auction
3017			1766 (Jun. 6) Philadelphia Pa. to London, England. Datelined folded letter sent by private ship Jamaica from Philadelphia Jun. 6th to Dover arriving Aug. 10th, "Dover/Ship Lre" two-line entry handstamp and "4" pence due rating for 3rd inland plus 1d ship letter, London "10/IY" Bishop mark arrival backstamp, Very Fine and early ship letter. Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)	Est. $200-300 SOLD for $180.00 Will close during Public Auction
3018			1767 (Apr. 11) London, England to Philadelphia Pa. via New York. Folded cover to John Reynell with London "11/AP" Bishop mark backstamp and manuscript "3N" triple-rate 3sh packet due rating, carried by packet Lord Hyde from Falmouth Apr. 16th to New York arriving May 28th, 49 day voyage, back flap with brownish "New/York" two-line postmark and matching "28 MA" Franklin mark, manuscript "18" dwt due rating for three-times the 4 dwt packet rating plus 2 dwt inland, docketed "Recd 5 mo., 29th 1767", Very Fine and choice packet due use. Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000. A GPO London notice of 24 October 1755 required prepayment of the packet letter rate, but this rule was not strictly enforced until it was reiterated in a GPO notice of 22 May 1784. The postage from New York to Philadelphia was reduced to 2 dwt (6d) effective October 10, 1765. (Image1) Get Market Data for [Great Britain Stampless]	Est. $1,500-2,000 SOLD for $1,150.00 Will close during Public Auction
3019			1767 (Aug. 8) London, England to Philadelphia Pa. Docketed folded cover with London "8/AV" Bishop mark backstamp and manuscript "1N" due rating for 1s schilling packet rate, carried Falmouth packet Earl of Halifax from Falmouth Aug. 29th to New York arriving Oct. 7th, reverse with "New/York" two-line postmark with "7 OC" Franklin mark and red manuscript "6" due rating for 4dwt packet plus 2dwt inland, docketed as received Oct. 10th, Very Fine. Estimate; $150 - 200. (Image1)	Est. $150-200 SOLD for $120.00 Will close during Public Auction
3020			1768 (Nov. 7) Philadelphia Pa. to London, England. Datelined folded letter endorsed "p. Capt Falconer" at lower left, carried by ship "Pennsylvania Packet" from Philadelphia Nov. 7th to Plymouth arriving Dec. 11th, "Plymouth/Ship.Lre" two-line handstamp and rated "5" pence due for 4d inland plus 1d ship, some edge wear, Very Fine and early ship letter, ex-Arnell. Estimate; $150 - 200. (Image1)	Est. $150-200 CLOSED Will close during Public Auction