Nova Scotia

(Halifax to London, England, Nov. 14, 1752). Folded letter datelined Halifax Novem 14th 1752” from Col. Peregrine T. Hopson and addressed to The Lords of Trade & Plantations” in London, England, rated 6” due, light strike of B” handstamp of Bristol and 26/FE” Bishop mark on back, cover with small edge tear at top

VERY FINE AND REMARKABLE EARLY LETTER TO LONDON FROM COLONEL PEREGRINE T. HOPSON AS THE GOVERNOR OF NOVA SCOTIA.

Peregrine T. Hopson (1696-1759) was a British army officer who earned the rank of Major General. He first arrived in Louisbourg, Nova Scotia with reinforcements in 1746 during King George’s War (War of Austrian Succession). He served as Commander of Louisbourg from 1747-49 before formally returning it to the French. At the time this letter was written, he was Governor of Nova Scotia and held this office until 1754. During the Seven Years’ War, he was dispatched to the West Indies in the British quest to capture Martinique and Guadeloupe, where he ultimately died of disease in 1759.

Ex MacDonald and Skywalk” (Image)

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British Occupation of Louisbourg--1759 Invoice for Meat for Troops by Edward Whitmore. Invoice datelined Louisbourg 30th Octo. 1759” for Victualing His Majesty’s Forces in North America...import into this Garrison...for the use of the Troops under my Command” a total of 96,800 lbs of pork and 34,240 lbs of beef, signed Edwd Whitemore” at bottom and notation of receipt from Whitehall Treasury on Dec. 5, 1759, Very Fine and remarkable historical item, these troops were likely those who fought in the Battle of Quebec, which fell in Sep. 1759, Edward Whitmore (1691-1761) was a Brigadier General and saw action in Europe and North America, he was made military governor of Louisbourg after the siege of 1758, ex Montgomery (Image)

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(Lunenburg to London, England, Oct. 15, 1767). Folded cover with manuscript A Letter from the Revd Moreau, Ministry to the French at Lunenburgh, dated Lunenburg Oct. 15 1767” docketing on inside flap and addressed to Secretary to the Society for the propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts” in London, carried privately to London with Penny Post Paid” Dockwra triangle handstamp and O’Clock 5” double-circle handstamp, some minor flap faults, still Fine and scarce early Missionary mail from Nova Scotia, Rev. Jean-Baptiste Moreau first arrived with Edward Cornwallis in 1749 to create the new town of Halifax, in 1753 he assisted in establishing Lunenburg, ex Mayer and Dr. Clark (Image)

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(Halifax to London, England, 1784). Folded cover to London with red manuscript Halifax 2 Dec” provisional postmark on bottom flap written by Joseph Peters, Deputy Postmaster General of Nova Scotia, rated 5/10” and 1/-”, London 7/IA” Bishop mark struck on arrival

VERY FINE. A REMARKABLE EARLY HALIFAX ITEM WITH POSTMASTER JOSEPH PETERS’S PROVISIONAL MANUSCRIPT MARKING. ONLY THREE EXAMPLES ARE RECORDED.

For years it was thought that only one example of this marking existed, as noted in The Nova Scotia Post by J. J. MacDonald. Nova Scotia collector Dr. Sandy Clark discovered two others, including the cover offered here. The three examples are dated 31 Aug” (ex Dr. Clark), 2 Dec” (the example offered here, ex Dr. Clark) and 5 Dec” (ex de Volpi, Glassco and Greene).

Ex Dr. Clark (Image)

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(Quebec to London, England, Nov. 15, 1794). Clear strike of AMERICAN INLAND/POSTAGE” two-line boxed handstamp (Jephcott 323; MacDonald 288) on folded letter to Adam Lymburner in London, originated in Quebec with Quebec 15th Nov. 1794” dateline, sender’s ship-name directive p Bridget”, Halifax N. Scotia, Mar. 6 95” split-circle datestamp (Jephcott 10; MacDonald 4b) struck in transit, manuscript 1/6” rate crossed out with Packet Postage 1/” added and totaled to 2/6”, London AP/20/95” arrival backstamp, slightly worn vertical file fold

VERY FINE. AN IMPRESSIVE AND RARE LETTER FROM QUEBEC TO LONDON VIA HALIFAX AND THE UNITED STATES WITH THE AMERICAN INLAND/POSTAGE” HANDSTAMP. A KEY INSTRUCTIONAL MARKING, OF WHICH ONLY ONE OTHER EXAMPLE IS KNOWN TO US.

For some reason this did not make the January 11, 1795, packet sailing from New York. Based on the London GPO April 20, 1795, receiving datestamp, it must have been carried on the Falmouth Packet Princess Royal, which sailed from Halifax on April 2, 1795 (sailing information from John S. Olenkiewicz, Frajola website). The recipient, Adam Lymburner (ca. 1745-1836), was a British militia officer, colonial agent, businessman and politician. This letter is likely from John Crawford, his nephew, who was brought over to assist with his businesses in Canada. The 2sh6p rate covered the 1sh6p postage and 1sh packet rate. We are aware of one other example, with the same Halifax date and also addressed to London (illustrated in Jephcott p. 293).

Ex Glassco, Greene and Dr. Clark. Illustrated in The Encyclopedia of British Empire Postage Stamps (Volume V) by Robson Lowe (p. 356). (Image)

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(Halifax to Rothesay, Isle of Bute, Scotland, Aug. 12, 1797). Clearly struck HALIFAX N.S./Agu [sic] 12, 1797” boxed datestamp (Jephcott 6, MacDonald 7) on flap of folded letter to Rothesay, Isle of Bute, Scotland, matching POST/PAID” in circle handstamp (Jephcott 329, MacDonald 257), manuscript Pd 2/6” rate, London Sep. 4 transit datestamp, Very Fine, a rare marking used 1797-99, the destination on the Isle of Bute is unusual, ex Maritimus” (Image)

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(Halifax to Petergate, England, Jan. 8, 1810). Folded letter datelined Halifax Jan. 8, 1810 and addressed to Petergate, England, with manuscript 8th Kings Reg. of Foot” along top and properly signed, rated 1” for one-penny soldier’s concessionary rate, light Halifax Jan. 8 two-line datestamp (Jepchott 9, MacDonald 10) on back and London Feb. 11 transit datestamp, fascinating contents regarding attack on Copenhagen and from Halifax after leaving England...to subdue the French at Martinique...sailed for Martinique and made our landing...their retreat to the interior to Fort Bourbon...fell after a brave resistance of 22 days...several of our men died from the fever...”, minor overall wear, otherwise Fine, ex Steinhart and Montgomery (Image)

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(Yarmouth to London, England, Jan. 18, 1819). Clear strike of YARMOUTH N.S./JAN 18 1819” two-line datestamp (Jephcott 36, MacDonald 32) with matching POST PAID” straightline handstamp (MacDonald 258) on folded cover to London, manuscript paid to Halifax 1/1-1/2” in red and 2/2” for transmission to London, Ship Letter Halifax” crown oval handstamp (Jephcott 137, MacDonald 236) and LIVERPOOL/SHIP LETTER” boxed handstamp, London arrival backstamp, Very Fine, rare combination of markings, ex Dr. Clark (Image)

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(Yarmouth to London, England, Apr. 9, 1820). Strike of YARMOUTH N.S./APR 9 1820” two-line datestamp (Jephcott 36, MacDonald 32) with matching POST PAID” straightline handstamp (MacDonald 258) on folded cover to London, manuscript paid to Halifax 1/1-1/2” in red and 2/2” for transmission to London, Halifax Apr. 21 transit datestamp (Jephcott 24, MacDonald 11), London arrival backstamp, some splitting along folds, otherwise Fine and rare, ex Young and Maritimus” (Image)

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(Yarmouth to London, England, Jan. ?, 1825). Clear strike of Yarmouth,/JAN ?/1825” three-line datestamp (Jephcott 37, MacDonald 33) with matching Poft paid” straightline handstamp (MacDonald 259) on folded cover to London, manuscript paid to Halifax 1/1-1/2” in red (crossed out) and 2/2” for transmission to London, Halifax Feb. 10 transit datestamp (Jephcott 24, MacDonald 11), London arrival backstamp, Fine and relatively well-struck compared to the few other known examples, reported by some to be as low as five (the Dubois” collection contains four), ex Dr. Clark (Image)

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(Yarmouth to London, England, 1835). Faint but clear strike of Yarmouth N.S.” circle with star (MacDonald 70) on folded cover to London, England, manuscript Paid to Halifax 1/1-1/2” (crossed out) and with PAID” in circle (likely applied in Halifax, MacDonald 263) then a further 2/2” from Halifax to London with Halifax N.S. MY 15 1835” circular datestamp (Jephcott 61, MacDonald 13) in transit, London arrival backstamp, Very Fine, ex Dr. Clark (Image)

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