Schuyler J. Rumsey Philatelic Auctions Sale

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The Dale Forster Collection of Australian Colonies - United States Mails continued...

Two Capes - Direct via Cape Horn continued...

LotNo.

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

4021

Australian States: Victoria, 1853 (Nov. 4) Bendigo Creek, Victoria to Boston Mass. via New Orleans. Buff cover with red "Paid, Bendigo, 4 NO 1853" rimless postmark and red crayon "5" pence prepaid rating for 5¢ ship rate from interior, Melbourne (11.9) transit backstamp, sent on ship John McKenzie via Cape Horn to New Orleans, entered mails with red "New Orleans, Mar 4" cds and "Ship 7" rating handstamp, Very Fine and choice.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

THE ONLY RECORDED COVER FROM AUSTRALIA BY DIRECT SHIP TO NEW ORLEANS. (Image1)

Est. $750-1,000
SOLD for $1,900.00
Will close during Public Auction

4022

Australian States: Victoria, 1866 (Jan. 25) Melbourne, Australia to Boston Mass. Cover bearing Victoria, 6d gray black (71) cancelled by "Victoria" barred oval duplexed with "Melbourne, JA 25 '66" cds, red framed "Insufficiently Paid via the United Kingdom" framed handstamp, sent by private ship via Cape Horn direct to New York, "New-York Ship '6 Cts.' Jul 19" cds and two strikes of "6" due handstamp; reduced at right with upper right corner repair, otherwise F.-V.F.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

Postage in Southampton would have been 14d, but letter would have arrived more than three months earlier. This is a very late example of a direct "opportunity sailing" to New York. (Image1)

Est. $750-1,000
SOLD for $1,250.00
Will close during Public Auction

Two Capes - Direct via Cape of Good Hope

LotNo.

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

4023

1856 (Mar. 8) Greensburgh, Ind. to Melbourne, Victoria. U.S. 3¢ red (U10) buff Nesbitt entire entire uprated for 10¢ double rate with 1¢ blue (9) four margins, and 3¢ dull red (11A) three margins, tied by "Greensburgh Ind. Mar 8" cds, forwarded to Kerang and Kingower in search of addressee, scarce strike of Melbourne red oval "LC, AU 19, 1856" Letter Carrier oval datestamp, reverse with Melbourne (9.10), Kerang (9.21) and Kingower (9.24) backstamps plus red "Ship Letter, Melbourne, AU 1" crown oval, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.

A REMARKABLE 1851 ISSUE USE TO AUSTRALIA AT DOUBLE THE 5¢ PRIVATE SHIP RATE.

The few direct private ship sailings resulted in long transit times. If sent via England, single rate postage would have been 33¢, double rate 66¢., but transit time would have been just over two months rather than over five months. (Image1)

Get Market Data for [United States 9]

Est. $1,500-2,000
SOLD for $3,250.00
Will close during Public Auction

4024

1857 (Apr. 3) Fayetteville Vt. to Melbourne, Australia. Folded cover without side flap bearing 3¢ dull red (11) vertical pair, large margins except in at top left, tied by "Fayetteville Vt. Apr 3" cds, "Boston Br. Pkt., 8 Apr" exchange backstamp, sent by private ship via Cape of Good Hope, scarce strike of Melbourne red "LC, AU 6, 1857" Letter Carrier oval datestamp, "Melbourne, Victoria, AU 6" rimless backstamp, forwarded to Beechworth with rimless Aug. 9 arrival backstamp; some edge wear, Fine and rare 1851 issue use to Australia.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

A 5¢ rate applied for letters sent direct on private ships from Boston or New York. This use is convenience overpaid by 1¢. Ship captains received 2¢ per letter. During this period there were no Australian arrival charges. The red Letter Carrier datestamp was applied at the G.P.O. Melbourne to indicate that the letter had been passed on to the carriers in an attempt to deliver unclaimed mail. (Image1)

Est. $500-750
SOLD for $575.00
Will close during Public Auction

Two Capes - ARM Steamship Contract

LotNo.

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

4025

1852 (Nov. 23) Astabula Oh. to Hubbardtown, Tasmania. Blue folded letter with "Astabula, Ohio, Nov 23" cds and matching "Paid" handstamp with manuscript "45" cent rating, New York magenta "24" cent credit to G.B., carried by Collins Line Pacific from New York Nov. 28th to Liverpool arriving Dec. 11th, red London Paid (12.11) transit cds, then by ARM Adelaide from Plymouth Dec. 18th, but returned to Plymouth after serious leaks developed, sailed again on Jan. 2nd and on fire for two days at Bay of Biscay, via Cape of Good Hope to Melbourne arriving May 11th, coastal ship Clarence to Launceston, reverse with "Launceston, 11 MY 1853" transit cds, manuscript "5" pence due for 4d arrival charge plus 1d internal, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

THIS WAS THE LAST ARM EASTBOUND CONTRACT SAILING - 129 DAYS FROM PLYMOUTH TO MELBOURNE FOR THE "ADELAIDE" RESULTED IN CANCELLATION OF THEIR CONTRACT - EVEN SAILING SHIPS WERE CONSISTENTLY FASTER. (Image1)

Est. $500-750
SOLD for $375.00
Will close during Public Auction

4026

Australian States: Victoria, 1853 (Dec. 16) Melbourne, Victoria to Boston Mass. via Liverpool. Blue folded letter bearing Victoria, Half-length, 3d blue, fourth printing (SG 11) tied by "1 V" barred oval, matching "Melbourne, Victoria, DC 16, 1853" rimless oval, carried as endorsed by ARM Sydney via Cape of Good Hope non-contract sailing, reverse with red London (3.19) transit and blue Liverpool (3.20) arrival cds, manuscript "8" pence ship due rating paid by Brown Shipley & Co., forwarded with Liverpool (3.22) backstamp and "3/Cents" debit handstamp to U.S., carried transatlantic by Collins Line Arctic from Liverpool Mar. 23rd to New York arriving Apr. 5th, bold strike of New York "24" due handstamp; central fold, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500. (Image1)

Get Market Data for [Australia (Victoria) 11]

Est. $1,000-1,500
SOLD for $2,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

4027

Australian States: Victoria, 1854 (Jan. 19) Melbourne, Victoria to Boston Mass. via Liverpool. Folded cover bearing Victoria, Half-length, 3d blue, fourth printing (SG 11) tied by "1 V" barred oval, matching "Melbourne, Victoria, JA 19, 1854" rimless postmark, carried by GSSC Harbinger via Cape of Good Hope non-contract sailing, reverse with red London (4.19) transit and green Liverpool (4.19) arrival cds, manuscript "8" pence ship due rating paid by Brown Shipley & Co., forwarded with green Liverpool (4.22) double-arc and "19/Cents" debit handstamp to U.S., carried transatlantic by Cunard Line Africa from Liverpool Apr. 22nd to New York arriving May 5th, "Boston Br. Pkt. '24' May 6" debit exchange cds; vertical file fold, Very Fine.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500. (Image1)

Get Market Data for [Australia (Victoria) 11]

Est. $1,000-1,500
SOLD for $900.00
Will close during Public Auction

Two Capes - Adams Express

LotNo.

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

4028

Australian States: Victoria, 1852 (Sep. 8) Bendigo, Victoria to Concord N.H. Buff cover endorsed "Per Adams Express" with original letter datelined "Bendigo Australia Sept, 8 1852" with some interesting gold rush content from miner back home to his wife "…I am making my grub as the saying goes here - there are some making piles and plenty not making anything…", carried by Adams Express agent out of mails from Bendigo to Melbourne, then privately by Adams agent on Chowringee via Cape Horn, and transatlantic privately by Adams' agent on transatlantic steamship, Very Fine.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

ONE OF THE EARLIEST ADAMS EXPRESS USES FROM AUSTRALIA.

Adams Express, an American company operating expresses in the east and California, opened offices in Melbourne and Sydney during the Australian gold rush. They carried mail on the Two Capes Route, also direct via San Francisco and via Panama. They advertised in Melbourne newspapers in 1853 and the letter offered here proves Australian presence in 1852. (Image1)

Est. $500-750
SOLD for $525.00
Will close during Public Auction

4029

Australian States: Victoria, 1853 (c., May) Melbourne, Australia to Canaan Me. Orange cover with embossed "Adams & Co., American and European Express, Melbourne, N.S.W." flap cameo and red "Adams & Co.'s Express, Melbourne N.S.W." framed handstamp, carried by General Screw Steamship Co. Harbinger via Mauritius and Cape of Good Hope to Southampton arriving Aug. 18th, "Forwarded by Edwards Sanford & Co., Liverpool" illustrated forwarders oval showing steamship, entered mails with Liverpool (8.19.53) backstamp and red "5/Cents" credit to U.S. handstamp, originally posted with G.B. 1s green embossed issue that is now missing, carried as endorsed by Cunard Line Europa from Liverpool Aug. 20th to Boston arriving Aug. 31st, red "Boston Br. Pkt. 'Paid 24' Aug 31" credit exchange cds, Very Fine appearance.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

ONE OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED EMBOSSED ADAMS MELBOURNE ENVELOPES, AND THE FINEST OF ONLY THREE RECORDED ADAMS MELBOURNE HANDSTAMPS.

The Adams Melbourne envelope and handstamp were probably produced in the United States. This sailing of the General Screw Steamship Co. "Harbinger" via Mauritius and Cape of Good Hope to Southampton arriving Aug. 18th was the first direct sailing from Australia to Southampton.. (Image1)

Get Market Data for [Australia (Victoria) Stampless]

Est. $750-1,000
SOLD for $1,200.00
Will close during Public Auction

4030

Australian States: Victoria, 1854 (c.) United States to Melbourne, Australia. Light buff cover endorsed "Per Express Adams & Co." at bottom left and rated "Collect" to miner endorsed at left: "He is now at or near Ballarat & information can be got to him there - it may be three or four months before he will call for this.", carried out of mails by Adams Express on private ship to Melbourne; reduced at right, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $300 - 400. (Image1)

Get Market Data for [Australia (Victoria) Stampless]

Est. $300-400
CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction

Two Capes - Clipper Ship Period

LotNo.

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

4031

Australian States: Victoria, 1854 (Oct. 28) Melbourne, Victoria to Philadelphia Pa. Cover with original datelined letter bearing Victoria, 1s blue (18), tied by bold "1 V" barred numeral oval, matching "Melbourne, Victoria, OC 28, 1854" rimless oval, carried by Great Britain via Cape Horn to England, red "Liverpool, Ship, 24 JA 1855" framed handstamp and bold "3/Cents" debit handstamp to U.S., carried by Collins Line Atlantic from Liverpool Jan. 27th to New York arriving Feb. 9th, partial "Philadelphia, Am. Pkt. '24' Feb" due exchange cds, Very Fine.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

Inexplicably, some Victoria mail to the United States via England was treated as paid to England and some was not. There is no consistency found, so apparently this was at the whim of British postal clerks. (Image1)

Get Market Data for [Australia (Victoria) 18]

Est. $500-750
SOLD for $750.00
Will close during Public Auction

4032

Australian States: South Australia, 1854 (Oct. 30) Adelaide, South Australia to Albany N.Y. via Melbourne and Boston. Folded letter with red "Paid, Adelaide, OC 30, 1854" rimless cds and red manuscript "6" rating for 6d empire rate, carried by Bosphorus to Melbourne, then by GSSC Calcutta via Cape of Good Hope to England, red London Paid (1.30) tombstone transit with manuscript "28" cent debit to U.S., carried by Cunard Asia from Liverpool Feb. 3rd to Boston arriving Feb. 15th, partial "Boston Br. Pkt. Feb 15" exchange cds and matching "33" due handstamp; edge tape stains and separation, Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

This cover, one of the last GSSC sailings, should have been considered paid to England at the 6d empire rate, but British postal clerk either thought it was unpaid, or that it originated in Victoria where retaliatory rate applied. (Image1)

Est. $200-300
SOLD for $900.00
Will close during Public Auction

4033

Australian States: Victoria, 1854 (Nov. 29) Melbourne, Victoria to Lyman N.H. via New York. Cover with bold red "Paid * Melbourne, NO29, 1854" rimless oval and red manuscript "1/" prepaid, carried by Clipper Kent via Cape Horn to England, London (2.27) transit cds and manuscript "12" cent debit to U.S., carried transatlantic by Ocean Line Hermann from Southampton Feb. 28th to New York arriving Mar. 18th, "New-York Am. Pkt. Mar 18" exchange cds and matching "33" due handstamp; cover edge tear, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1)

Est. $200-300
SOLD for $525.00
Will close during Public Auction

4034

Australian States: Victoria, 1855 (Jul. 21) Melbourne, Victoria to Boston Mass. Gray folded cover bearing Victoria, 1s blue (18) horizontal pair, tied by two strikes of "1 V" barred numeral oval, matching "Melbourne, Victoria, JY 21, 1855" rimless oval backstamp, carried as endorsed by Clipper Marco Polo to England, "New York, Nov 7" exchange cds and blue manuscript. "96" due rating for four-times the 24¢ transatlantic packet rate; some edge wear, Very Fine.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

Cover was prepaid two shillings for four-times the 6d empire rate. Great Britain's retaliatory rate for Victoria was supposedly in effect at this date, but not charged here. (Image1)

Get Market Data for [Australia (Victoria) 18]

Est. $750-1,000
SOLD for $750.00
Will close during Public Auction

4035

Australian States: New South Wales, 1855 (Sep. 1) Sydney, New South Wales to New York N.Y. Blue folded letter bearing New South Wales, 3d green (Sc 35), four margins, tied by barred oval, matching "Sydney, N.S.W., SR 1, 1855" rimless backstamp, carried as endorsed by Clipper Pride of the Seas via Cape Horn direct to New York, New York "6" in circle due handstamp for 6¢ ship rate to port; couple edge tears at top and some, Very Fine and attactive use, ex-Risvold.
Estimate; $500 - 750. (Image1)

Est. $500-750
SOLD for $1,700.00
Will close during Public Auction

4036

Australian States: New South Wales, 1855 (Oct. 20) Sydney, New South Wales to Richmond Va. via New York. Folded letter with "Sydney, N.S.W., OC 20, 1855" rimless backstamp and manuscript "6" rating, "1d" debit handstamp to G.B., carried as endorsed by Clipper Champion of Seas contract sailing via Cape Horn to England, reverse with "Australian Packet, Liverpool, AP 25, 56" backstamp and matching "ART-2" accounting handstamp, manuscript "28 Cts" debit to U.S., carried by Cunard Line Persia from Liverpool Jan. 26th to New York arriving Feb. 9th, partial "New-York, Br. Pkt. Feb 9" exchange cds and matching "33" due handstamp for 33¢ rate, Very Fine.
Estimate; $500 - 750. (Image1)

Est. $500-750
SOLD for $1,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

4037

Australian States: Victoria, 1855 (Nov. 1) Greelong, Victoria to Harrisburg Pa. via New York. Registered cover bearing Victoria, 3d blue (SG 31) horizontal pair, large margins with rich color, and Victoria 1s registration (F1), large to huge margins, both tied by strikes of Greelong "2 V" barred numeral ovals, matching "Greelong, Victoria, NO 1, 1855" rimless oval backstamp, manuscript "6" pence debit, Melbourne transit backstamp, carried as endorsed by Clipper James Baines via Cape Horn to England, reverse with "Australian Packet, Liverpool, MR 4 * 55" transit cds and manuscript "Art 2", manuscript "1/" rating and "¢ 24" cent debit to U.S., carried by Collins Line Quaker City from Liverpool Mar. 5th to New York arriving Mar. 21st, "New.York Am. Packet, Mar 21" exchange cds with matching "45" cent due handstamp, Very Fine, ex-Col. Green, with 2002 B.P.A. certificate.
Estimate; $5,000 - 7,500.

THE ONLY RECORDED VICTORIA HALF-LENGTH COVER TO THE UNITED STATES WITH THE WORLD'S FIRST REGISTRATION STAMP.

The "45" due handstamp is the 33¢ collect rate plus 12¢ for British registration. Note that England was still punishing Victoria by not considering transit covers paid to England at the 6d empire rate.

References: Illustrated and Discussed in Milgrams "Foreign Registered Mail: 1855-1875, Part Two: British" in the Chronicle May 2019, p. 181, fig. 21. (Image1)

Get Market Data for [Australia (Victoria) 31]

Est. $5,000-7,500
SOLD for $8,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

4038

Australian States: Victoria, 1855 (Nov. 2) Melbourne, Victoria to Boston Mass. Gray folded letter bearing Victoria, 6d yellow orange (17), four clear to large margins, tied by barred "1 V" numeral oval, matching "Melbourne, Victoria, OC 2, 1855" rimless oval backstamp, missed James Baines as endorsed, carried by Clipper Shalimar packet sailing to England, reverse with "Australian Packet, Liverpool, FE 3, 56" backstamp and "ART-2" straightline, partial "^d5" debit h.s. to Victoria, Liverpool (2.4) oval backstamp and matching "10/Cents" debit handstamp to U.S., carried by Collins Line Atlantic from Liverpool Feb. 6th to New York arriving Feb. 24th, closed bag to Boston with "Boston, Am. Pkt., Feb 25" exchange backstamp and matching bold "31" due handstamp, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED 31¢ RATE USES FROM AUSTRALIA TO THE UNITED STATES.

Note that United States retained 21¢ on this American transatlantic packet use, whereas United States retained only 5¢ internal postage on the British Packet use on previous page. (Image1)

Get Market Data for [Australia (Victoria) 17]

Est. $750-1,000
SOLD for $800.00
Will close during Public Auction

4039

Australian States: Victoria, 1856 (Apr. 14) "Three Mile Creek, Ovens Diggings", Victoria to Concord N.H. Original letter datelined "Three Mile Creek, Ovens Diggings", blue cover bearing Victoria, 6d yellow orange (17), three margins, creases, tied by barred circle cancel, matching "Beechwood, Victoria, AP 14" rimless oval backstamp, Melbourne (4.18) transit backstamp, carried by Clipper Earl of Sefton departing Apr. 26th to England, reverse with "Australian Packet, Liverpool, JY 16, 56" backstamp and "ART-2" straightline, "^d5" debit h.s. to Victoria, manuscript "26" cent debit to U.S., carried by Cunard Line Arabia from Liverpool Jul. 19th to Boston arriving Jul. 30th, "Boston, Br. Pkt., 30 Jul" exchange backstamp and matching "31" due handstamp; some edge wear, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED 31¢ RATE USES FROM AUSTRALIA TO THE UNITED STATES.

The 31¢ collect rate resulted from accountancy between Victoria and England. Great Britain claimed 5d, instead of 6d, due to the expiration of the retaliatory rate period (see Talbeart Vol 1). Three covers are recorded by exhibitor (two are shown in this exhibit) - all three have Boston arrival markings from 1856. This 31¢ rate is not discussed in the literature.

Original letter datelined "Three Mile Creek, Ovens Diggings" and with some excellent gold rush content "…We have now commenced something like California Mining - We are now sluicing. Have just begun and cannot tell what it will pay yet - But hope we may get into something that will in the end pay better than sinking or running round…". (Image1)

Get Market Data for [Australia (Victoria) 17]

Est. $750-1,000
SOLD for $625.00
Will close during Public Auction

4040

Australian States: New South Wales, 1856 (Mar. 21) Sydney, New South Wales to Boston Mass. Blue folded letter with "Sydney, N.S.W., MR 21, 1856" rimless backstamp and "Insufficiently Stamped" and "Too Late" framed handstamps, "1d" debit to G.B., sent by City of Sydney to Melbourne, carried as endorsed by Clipper Marco Polo packet letter via Cape Horn to England, reverse with "Australian Packet, Liverpool, 21 JU, 56" backstamp and Liverpool (6.22) oval, "^d6" debit handstamp to N.S.W., manuscript "12" cent debit to U.S., carried by Collins Line Baltic from Liverpool Jun. 25th to New York arriving Jul. 6th, closed bag to Boston with "Boston Am. Pkt. 7 Jul" exchange; file folds, Very Fine.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

This voyage of the Clipper "Marco Polo" carried 68,737 ounces of gold and 157 passengers. (Image1)

Est. $500-750
SOLD for $450.00
Will close during Public Auction