Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. Sale

To see new sales and other StampAuctionNetwork news in your Facebook newsfeed then Like us on Facebook!

StampAuctionNetwork Extended Features

StampAuctionNetwork Channels

Stampless Stories: A Postal History of America continued...

War of Independence continued...

Lot

Sym.

Lot Description

New York to Edinburgh, Scotland, via Cork, Ireland, 1779, American Blockade Run. Folded letter datelined May 16, 1779, sender’s directive P the Eagle Capt. Q.D.C.”, several manuscript rates crossed out before final 11/4 oz. 5N10” due, CORK” straightline handstamp and IY/14” (Jul. 14) Bishop’s receiving mark on flap, interesting war-related content, mentions lack of news about a secret expedition that sailed on the 3rd -- with a rebel account that it landed in Virginia -- also references to Generals Clinton and Howe and how the writer feels it is doubtful the colonies will be reduced”, some minor wear, a Very Fine and rare letter from British-occupied New York to Edinburgh with war content, carried by the Eagle through the American privateer blockade to the Irish port of Cork (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

E. $ 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $2,600.00
Will close during Public Auction

Quebec, Canada, to London via Portsmouth, 1778. Folded letter datelined Quebec 24th Oct. 1778” addressed to Jamaica Coffeehouse, London, sender’s directive pr. His Majesty’s Ship Triton”, manuscript 7” rate (1p plus 6p inland postage), PORSTMOUTH/SHIP LETTER” two-line handstamp, 28/NO” (Nov. 28) Bishop’s receiving mark on back, fresh and Very Fine, the French entry into the war caused the British navy to withdraw ships from North America and abandon the blockade from July 1778 to October 1781, this was carried on the H.M.S. Triton at this stage of the war (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

E. $ 300-400

SOLD for $225.00
Will close during Public Auction

Across the Lines from London to Boston, 1779. London Mar. 26th 1779” dateline on folded letter from Joseph Green to Samuel Eliot in Boston, receipt docketing dated Dec. 22, 1779, indicates lengthy delay in getting mail through the American reverse blockade, Very Fine, an interesting letter from a well-known Boston Loyalist who left for England in 1775, mentions all means of correspondence seem to be cut off” (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

E. $ 400-500

SOLD for $1,200.00
Will close during Public Auction

Hamburg, Germany to Boston via Amsterdam, 1780. Folded printed notice of a partnership datelined Hamburg the 2d June 1780”, manuscript forwarder’s notation Amsterdam July 10, 1780 per cover of Y.m.h.s. John de Newfield & Son” on flap, addressed to Boston, no postal markings or rates, this was privately carried through the American privateer blockade (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

E. $ 300-400

SOLD for $325.00
Will close during Public Auction

London to New York via Falmouth-New York Packet, 1780, American Blockade Run. Folded letter datelined London 6th Decemb. 1780” to New York City, 3/IA” Bishop’s mark on flap (posted Jan. 3, 1781) and manuscript 2N” double packet rate, interesting letter to William Bayard, reporting the capture of the Alert by two frigates and the inability to send silk gowns by Sir Samuel Hood as he is sailing to West Indies, also encloses account of ship Good Hope, minor soiling, Very Fine incoming Falmouth-New York Packet letter to British-occupied New York, illustrated in Collectors Club Philatelist (May-June 1991, p. 191), ex Hahn (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

E. $ 750-1,000

SOLD for $450.00
Will close during Public Auction

London to New York via Falmouth-New York Packet, 1780, American Blockade Run. Two folded letters from John Thornton in London to Thomas Mackaness, a British Loyalist, in New York City during the British occupation, one dated Feb. 12, 1780, with 15/FE” (Feb. 15) Bishop’s mark, other dated Nov. 16, 1780, without handstamp, both have manuscript 1N” British packet charge, contents a mix of religion and business, one mentions a running ship” (through American reverse blockade) and the possibility that Rev. John Lewis of Charles Town (S.C.) was executed for treason against the Crown, faint stains or toning along folds, still Very Fine, accompanied by three later letters from Mackaness’s wife to him in England after his return from America (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

E. $ 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $550.00
Will close during Public Auction

New York to Northumberland, England, via Falmouth-New York Packet, 1781, American Blockade Run. Folded letter datelined New York 16th of Augt. 1781” and addressed to Newcastle Upon Tine, Northumberland, England, clear 26/SE” (Sep. 26) Bishop’s receiving mark, manuscript 1N” packet rate crossed out and re-rated 1N4” with inland postage added, letter to owner of the ship Providence from Capt. John Ritchie, slight wear, Fine, written just two months before Burgoyne’s surrender at Yorktown, also accompanied by second letter dated May 27, 1782 (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

E. $ 750-1,000

SOLD for $400.00
Will close during Public Auction

New York to Edinburgh, Scotland, via Falmouth-New York Packet, 1781, American Blockade Run. Folded letter datelined Aug. 15, 1781, at New York, from General Thomas Stirling to Edinburgh, Scotland, carried by Falmouth-New York Packet from New York on August 20, arriving September 21, 26/SE” (Sep. 26) London Bishop’s mark, manuscript 1N” packet rate crossed out and re-rated 1N6” for 6p additional inland postage to Scotland

VERY FINE GENERAL OFFICER’S LETTER FROM BRITISH-OCCUPIED NEW YORK TO SCOTLAND, SENT BY PACKET THROUGH THE AMERICAN PRIVATEER BLOCKADE, WITH EXCELLENT CONTENT.

Sir Thomas Stirling, 5th Baronet, had a long and active military career in the British Army, serving in the French and Indian War and the American Revolution, and ultimately attaining the rank of General. In this letter he writes I am uncertain as to the time when I shall leave this country, as I must wait for a fleet sailing for London, as the packets are not safe, inconvenient and the land journey from Falmouth more than I could bear. A fleet will, it is thought, sail end of next month which I shall take the advantage of, if Mons. de Grasse does not shut us up, which they threaten from the rebel camp. A reinforcement of 2-3,000 German recruits arrived here lately which makes us a little more respectable and may enable S.H. Clinton to look our foes at the White Plains in the face, who wait only the arrival of the French fleet off the Hook to attack N.York.” Two months after this letter was written, General Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown, in part due to the outstanding tactical efforts of French fleet commander Lt. Gen. Francois Joseph Paul de Grasse (referenced in the letter if he does not shut us up”). De Grasse achieved a crucial victory over the British fleet at the Battle of the Chesapeake in September 1781, which prevented the fleet from aiding Cornwallis. He then blockaded the coast until Cornwallis surrendered to General Washington on October 19.

Ex Barrie Jay and Walske. (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

E. $ 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $2,700.00
Will close during Public Auction

Charleston S.C. to Glasgow, Scotland, via Dover, 1782, American Blockade Run. Folded letter datelined in Charleston on June 17, 1782, endorsed Pr the Fame Capt. Morgan” and carried by the 8-gun British Letter of Marque Fame on June 17, arriving in convoy at Deal with clear strike of DEAL/SHIP LRE” two-line handstamp, re-rated 6p due for 1p ship plus 5p inland, 5/AV” (Aug. 5) London Bishop’s mark, red AU/9” (Aug. 9) Bishop’s receiving mark on back, Very Fine cover from Charleston carried through the reverse American blockade by a merchant ship with a letter of marque, such ships were allowed to capture enemy prizes while on voyage, ex Walske (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

E. $ 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $750.00
Will close during Public Auction

British-Occupied Charleston S.C. to Madeira, Portugal, 1782. Folded letter datelined Charlestown 18th November 1782”, addressed to Madeira, Portugal, receipt docketing of Jan. 17, 1783 (Madeira) and Sep. 23, 1784 apparently received back, fascinating contents including the evacuation of the Ports of Charleston and Savannah will be announced to you by this opportunity”, minor toning, Very Fine, the British occupation ended in December 1782 (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

E. $ 300-400

SOLD for $350.00
Will close during Public Auction

Alresford, England, to St. Quentin, France, 1778 French Prisoner-of-War Letter. Folded letter datelined Alresford, England, Jul. 14, 1778, from a French prisoner-of-war to St. Quentin, France, Examined July 16, E Knapp” censor marking on flap -- which was sealed with red wax, opened and overlaid with paper, then re-sealed with black wax -- entered mails with ALRES/FORD” two-line handstamp on other flap, manuscript p3” pence prepaid to London, red Post Paid” circular handstamp and 20/IY” (Jul. 20) Bishop’s mark, light strike of ANGLETERRE” straightline and 30” sols due in France, re-addressed to St. Brieux, flap with manuscript Deb de St Qui” (Debourse de St. Quentin)

VERY FINE. A RARE FRENCH PRISONER-OF-WAR LETTER DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

This letter is from a French naval officer whose ship was captured by the H.M.S. Hector. He was taken to Alresford where he was on parole when the letter was mailed.

Ex Walske (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

E. $ 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $2,100.00
Will close during Public Auction