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United States Postal History continued...

1861-68 10c Issue continued...

LotNo.

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

(68,DWI 2) 1866 3c rose Danish West Indies tied by bold target cancel with matching Christiansted cds at center used in combination with 1861 10c green Washington tied by "New York Steamship" cds on cover to Rochester, New York. The cover originated in Christiansted, St. Croix, Danish West Indies (January 23, 1867 docketing at left), where the 3c D.W.I stamp was applied together with the 10c 1861 Issue to prepay internal carriage and steamship transmission to the United States.

Skilled restoration around the postage franking, but still an exceedingly scarce mixed franking from the Danish West Indies showing use in combination with a U.S. stamp prior to the establishment of formal postal agreements.

Signed Diena, with 2025 Philatelic Foundation certificate stating "it is a genuine use".

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Current Opening Price...$2,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

(96) 1868 10c yellow green Washington F Grill tied by black cork cancel on folded letter endorsed "Morro Castle" at top left, addressed to Demerara, British West Indies (now Guyana). This letter was carried by American packet from New York to St. Thomas and then transferred to a British packet for onward carriage to Demerara. A blue crayon manuscript "4" due marking was applied for internal delivery but was crossed out and replaced with an uprated "5" at left to reflect the required local delivery charge. Reverse includes St. Thomas transit and "Demerara 8 MY 68" receiving backstamps.

File fold at center has begun to split the thin paper towards the top but still a fine and very scarce usage of a 10c 1868 Grilled Issue to British Guiana with only a handful of examples known. This folded letter is particularly desirable for its intact presentation, bold markings, and clear illustration of the complex trans-Caribbean routing and accounting conventions of the period.

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Current Opening Price...$750.00
Will close during Public Auction

(68,70) 1861 10c green and 24c gray lilac Washington tied by blue “Cincinnati O. Jan 3” cds and duplex grid on cover with original letter datelined December 27, 1865 still accompanying, addressed to Paymaster of the "USS Powhatan", care of U.S. Consul, Valparaíso, Chile. The ship was there in part to protect U.S. interests during the early phases of the Chincha Islands War (also known as Spanish–South American War). Manuscript routing instructions “Via Panama” at upper left and carried by American packet to Panama, then by British packet to Chile. Clear “Panama JA 28 66” British transit marking below stamps, part strike of red "25" centavos due handstamp at center and red “24” credit marking at bottom right.

Some minor cover edge wear and small part of backflap missing but overall a visually striking franking paying the 34c rate to Chile via Panama, with the original letter still present - an uncommon and desirable usage reflecting mid-1860s transoceanic military postal routes and consular forwarding practices.

Ex Herzog.

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Current Opening Price...$750.00
Will close during Public Auction

(68,69) 1861 10c green and 12c black Washington each tied by black target cancels with matching double-circle “San Francisco Cal. Apr 10" (1866) cds on folded cover addressed to Lima, Peru. Carried by American packet via Panama, with British "Panama AP 23 1866" transit cds also tying the 12c stamp, and then British packet to destination, Neatly struck “Lima / 2 May 66” receiving backstamp on reverse confirms receipt in Peru. Manuscript "12" credit marking at upper left.

The 22c franking pays the correct treaty rate for a letter weighing up to ½ oz. during this period. File fold barely affects stamps, still a fine and attractive example of post-Civil War mail to Peru via American and British packet ships.

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Current Opening Price...$200.00
Will close during Public Auction

(68,70b) 1861 10c green vertical pair and 24c steel blue Washington horizontal pair, all tied by “Washington, D.C. Apr. 26” (1862) cds on Treasury Department, First Comptroller’s Office official envelope to E.O. Crosby Esq., U.S. Minister Resident to Guatemala, with free frank signature of Elisha Whittlesey, First Comptroller of the Treasury. Large black “6” credit handstamp at center.

An extraordinary official correspondence cover sent on U.S. government business from Washington to Central America with a 68c franking paying the double-weight 34c British mail rate in effect from October 1860 to September 1862. The addressee, Edward O. Crosby (1818–1895), served as U.S. Minister Resident to Guatemala under President Lincoln. The sender, Elisha Whittlesey (1783–1863), was a veteran public servant and key Treasury administrator during the Taylor and Lincoln Administrations.

A magnificent and historically rich Treasury Department official envelope sent to Guatemala and franked by a pair of desirable 1861 24c steel blue stamps - likely the finest 1861 Issue franked cover from the well-known Crosby correspondence.

With 2025 Philatelic Foundation certificate.

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Current Opening Price...$2,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

(68) 1861 10c green Washington tied by cork cancel on cover addressed to Capt. John G. Walker, U.S.S. Shawmut, care of the United States Consul, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with manuscript directive “By Steamer from New York” at lower left. The cover was forwarded by the Counsel to Buenos Aires with receipt docketing at top "Buenos Ayres March 14th 66." The 10c franking prepaid the single-weight U.S.–Brazil treaty rate for carriage by American packet.

The addressee, Captain John Grimes Walker (1835-1907), was a distinguished U.S. Navy officer who served with distinction during the Civil War and later rose to the rank of Rear Admiral. After Appomattox, Walker was given command of the USS Shawmut, a newly refitted gunboat deployed to the Brazil Station in mid-1865. There, she operated for more than a year, protecting American interests during a volatile period of regional conflict. This cover was sent during that deployment and reflects the critical diplomatic and naval presence the United States maintained in South America immediately after the U.S. Civil War, fine.

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Current Opening Price...$300.00
Will close during Public Auction

(68,77) 1861 10c green Washington and 1866 15c black Lincoln each tied by black cork cancels on 1868 cover to Buenos Ayres, So. America, addressed to Mrs. Abbie P. Godfrey. Clear "Bangor Me. Apr 20 (1868)" cds at upper right and bold French transit marking applied in Rio de Janeiro on May 22, 1868. The 25c franking pays the per ¼–½ oz. treaty rate to Argentina, carried first by American packet to Rio de Janeiro and then by French packet onward to destination, red "15" credit handstamp at bottom right. A fine piece of postal history to Buenos Aires, Argentina via American and French packet ships.

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Current Opening Price...$300.00
Will close during Public Auction

(68,69,70) 1861 10c green, 12c black, and 24c gray lilac Washington used by by black circular grid cancels on cover from Nebraska Territory, bearing a partial strike of black cds dated July 10, addressed to Lieut. B. J. Cromwell, U.S.S. Shawmut, care of the American Consul in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The letter was carried by British packet via England, with a clear red “London PAID JY 28 66” transit marking at center, red “40” credit handstamp at lower right and Rio de Janeiro receiving backstamp.

The 45c franking - comprising three different 1861-68 issue stamps - overpays the British packet rate to Brazil (45c per ½ oz.) by 1c for convenience. This was one of the highest single-weight letter rates in effect during the 1861–68 issue period, effective April 1853 to January 1868.

The U.S.S. Shawmut was a Civil War gunboat refitted in 1865 for postwar foreign service. Stationed on the Brazil Station, she patrolled South Atlantic waters to protect American citizens, commerce, and diplomatic interests amid regional tensions following the war.

A fine and interesting cover - representing one of the very few 45c rate 1861–68 issue frankings known to Brazil, and especially notable for its route via British packet service through London, rather than the more common American packet line. A wonderful artifact of post-Civil War naval deployment and American diplomatic engagement in South America.

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Current Opening Price...$750.00
Will close during Public Auction

(68,72,73) 1861 10c green Washington, 90c blue Washington, and 2c black Jackson, two singles, tied by bold quartered cork cancels on 1867 legal-size cover sent from Thompson Station, Long Island, N.Y., to Robert Peck, Esq., Solicitor, East Grinstead, England. Red “New York Paid All via Br. Pkt.” exchange cds, boxed red “P.D.” handstamp at upper center, and partial London receiver on reverse.

The franking represents $1.04 postage prepaid at 13 × 8c Book Post rate (printed matter class) to Great Britain, each step representing one-half ounce of weight. Mailed as a packet of legal documents, endorsed “Book Post via England” at upper left.

Only recorded example of the 90c 1861 Issue used on a Transatlantic printed matter rate cover. Stamps lifted and replaced, cover cleaned, still a striking and important high-denomination usage illustrating the evolution of postal classifications and rates between the United States and Great Britain in the pre-UPU era.

With 2025 Philatelic Foundation certificate stating "it is a genuine use".

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Current Opening Price...$5,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

(68,76) 1861 10c green Washington and 5c red brown Jefferson tied by black cork cancels with matching "New Orleans, La May 11" (1868) cds on cover addressed to Mons, Belgium. Red “New York Paid All Br. Transit May 16” (1868) cds at center, with transit and "Mons, Belgium 28 Mai 68" receiving backstamps. The 15c franking pays the single-weight prepaid rate to Belgium by British packet under the Belgian Closed Mail arrangement, in effect from January 1868 to March 1870. A fine and an attractive Belgian Closed Mail usage.

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Current Opening Price...$400.00
Will close during Public Auction

(89) 1868 10c green Washington E Grill irregular block of three used by black cork cancels with matching by “Ithaca, N.Y. Oct. 29” (1868) cds on cover to Paris, France. Red “New York Paid 24 Oct. 31” exchange cds at left, with French arrival cds alongside. On arrival, the cover was readdressed and forwarded to Geneva, Switzerland, showing blue oval Hottinguer & Co. forwarder’s handstamp on reverse, then forwarded again to Rome, Italy. Final Rome address written on back of cover. Several additional transit markings and rate notations are found on both sides, reflecting its extensive journey across Europe.

The 30c franking pays the single-weight letter rate to France by French packet under the 1857 U.S.–France Convention, with forwarding charges accounting for its additional carriage to Italy and Switzerland. Light wrinkling in the top pair, noted as crease on certificate, and perfs at left slightly affected by edge placement. Still a remarkable and unusual 10c E Grill multiple franking, with extraordinary forwarding history across three European countries.

With 2013 Philatelic Foundation certificate.

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Current Opening Price...$750.00
Will close during Public Auction

(68,72,73) 1861 10c green Washington vertical pair, 90c blue Washington, and 2c black Jackson, all tied by black cork cancels with matching “Hartford, Ct. Jun 3” cds on cover to Leipzig, Germany. Red “Boston Br. Pkt. Paid Jun 5” exchange office cds at center and repeated at right. Manuscript “28/4” credit handstamp at left, clear blue “Aachen 17 6 Franco” boxed transit handstamp at right and additional receiving backstamp.

The $1.12 franking represents the four-times 28c Prussian Closed Mail rate for a lettering weighing between 1 1/2-2 oz in effect from September 1861 to January 1868.

The 90c stamp is a replacement for a stamp that was torn in half, the 2c stamp is a replacement for a missing stamp. Even with the replacement stamps, the cover represents a visually striking quadruple-weight Prussian Closed Mail usage - one of only two recorded covers bearing the 90c 1861 Issue to Germany.

Signed by Ashbrook, with 2025 Philatelic Foundation certificate.

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Current Opening Price...$500.00
Will close during Public Auction

(63,68,69) 1861 1c blue Franklin, 10c green and 12c black Washington tied by black cork cancels with matching “Watertown, Wis. Jul 15” cds on registered cover to Germany, with red "New York July 18 Br Transit" cds at center. The 23c franking pays the 15c North German Union closed mail rate via England and Belgium, plus the 8c foreign registration fee noted by red “REGISTERED” straightline handstamp, black "Registered" in circle applied at left and German red fancy "Recomandirt" handstamp. Additional red four-line “Verviers Franco” exchange handstamp on front, and German receiving backstamp. The four-line red “Verviers Franco” marking was used only during the first NGU rate period, when the closed mail rate was 15c (January 1869 to July 1870). Repaired tears at top but still a fine appearing and visually striking registered NGU usage to Germany.

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Current Opening Price...$300.00
Will close during Public Auction

(68) 1861 10c green Washington on 3c entire tied by cork cancels with matching “Dubuque, Iowa Jun. 11” cds addressed to Oldenburg, Germany, endorsed “pr Bremen Mail.” Red “New York Paid All Direct” exchange cds at right and framed red “Bremen, Franco” transit handstamp at left, with clear German receiving backstamp. A fine example of the 13c rate via Bremen in effect until January 1868.

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Current Opening Price...$300.00
Will close during Public Auction

(89) 1868 10c green Washington E Grill tied by black cork cancel with matching ?San Francisco, Cal. Nov. 30? (1868) cds on cover addressed to Rheinberg, Germany. Red ?New York Paid All Direct Dec 24? transit handstamp at right and boxed purple ?Bremen? arrival handstamp at left. The 10c franking pays the single-weight rate to Germany by Northern German Union direct mail via Bremen, effective January 1868 to June 1870. A fine and attractive west-coast usage of the 10c E Grill to Germany via GNU direct mail. (Image)

Current Opening Price...$300.00
Will close during Public Auction

(88,89) 1868 3c rose E Grill, two singles, and 10c green Washington E Grill tied by blue "Galesburg, Ill May 21 (1868) cds and duplex cork cancels on cover addressed to Oskarshamn, Sweden. The 16c franking pays the North German Union direct mail rate to Sweden via Hamburg in effect from January 1868 to May 1869. Clear red boxed “FRANCO” exchange marking applied at Hamburg and backstamped on arrival in Sweden, a fine and scarce usage to Scandinavia.

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Current Opening Price...$400.00
Will close during Public Auction

(96,114) 1869 3c ultramarine Pictorial, two singles, and 1868 10c green Washington F Grill tied by unusual black Maltese Cross cancels with faint “Hartford, Ct. Apr. 26” (1870) cds at left, on cover with printed address to Copenhagen, Denmark. Manuscript directive “Via N. German Union” at lower left, red “2½” credit handstamp at lower right alongside GNU red framed Bremen transit datestamp and framed “Weiterfr. 1 Sgr.” handstamp. Cover reverse has red “New York Paid All Direct Apr. 30” cds and Copenhagen May 15 receiving backstamps.

The 16c franking overpaid the proper 13c prepaid NGU rate to Denmark (effective June 1868 to July 1870), likely reflecting confusion between the 13c prepaid and 16c unpaid rates as listed in the U.S. Postal Guide.

Small nick at the top edge of the cover and the 10c affected at right from edge placement, but still very fine appearing and scarce mixed-issue franking to Denmark, with the F Grill and 1869 Pictorial series appearing together on a correctly routed NGU cover.

Ex Starnes and illustrated opposite page 13 in United States Letter Rates to Foreign Destinations, 1847 to GPU–UPU.

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Current Opening Price...$1,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

(65,68,76) 1861 3c rose horizontal pair, 10c green Washington, and 5c red brown Jefferson tied by black grid cancels with matching “Highland, Ill. Sep. 23” (1866) cds on cover addressed to Luzern, Switzerland. Manuscript "Via French Mail" and "Paid 21ct" at left, red “New York Paid 18 Sep. 27” credit cds at right, with red boxed “P.D.” handstamp and red French transit cds alongside. Cover reverse has Luzern receiving backstamp.

The 21c franking pays the ¼ - ½ oz single-weight letter rate to Switzerland via French mail under the 1857 U.S.-France Convention, in effect until January 1870. This comprised 3c U.S. inland postage plus 18c credit to France, with mail routed via New York and carried in closed mail through France to Switzerland.

Light staining at the edge of the 3c stamps and slightly affected by edge placement, but still a fine appearing cover correctly rated to Switzerland, combining three different denominations of the 1861-68 Issue.

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Current Opening Price...$400.00
Will close during Public Auction

(68) 1861 10c green Washington strip of three used by grid cancels and tied by matching ?Mountain View, Cal. Mar 26? cds on cover addressed to Essek in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, today Osijek, Croatia. Carried by Prussian Closed Mail, with a clear blue ?Aachen? exchange cds on front, a marking struck in blue only between February 1865 and December 1867, Pesth transit and Essek receiving backstamps. The 30c franking represents a 2c overpayment of the 28c single-weight prepaid rate for Prussian Closed Mail letters, effective from September 1861. The left-most 10c is affected by edge placement but otherwise a fine and scarce mid-1860s usage from California to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. (Image)

Current Opening Price...$750.00
Will close during Public Auction

(68,69) 1861 10c green and 12c black Washington tied by black target cancels with matching “New Orleans Apr. 16” (1866) cds alongside on cover endorsed “Via New York” and addressed to Barcelona, Spain. New York cds applied before departure then red boxed “P.D.” handstamp over French transit cds applied upon arrival in France before transit to Spain. Bold blue “4R” Spanish accounting handstamp at center and three additional Spanish transit and receiving backstamps.

The 22c franking slightly overpays the 21c British open mail rate to Spain, in effect from October 1858 to January 1868, covering postage to Great Britain. Backflap missing with repaired portion at top center not affecting the key elements of this fine appearing and scarce cover to Spain.

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Current Opening Price...$400.00
Will close during Public Auction