The Dubois Collection of Important Prestamp Covers and Postal Markings of British North America, 169 continued...

(Edinburgh, Scotland to Quebec via New York and Albany, Sep. 24, 1764). Folded letter written by Patrick Ferguson and datelined Edin(burgh) Sept. 24th 1764” and addressed to his uncle The Honble Brigadier General Murray, Govenor of Canada at Quebec”, entered the British American Colonial mails in New York with clear NEW/YORK” two-line handstamp, manuscript postmark Alby (Albany) to Q (Quebec) Sh. 5.16” (5 dwt 16 grains rate), cover with minor edgewear and some reinforced folds

VERY FINE. THIS IS BELIEVED TO BE THE SECOND EARLIEST INBOUND COVER INTO BRITISH CANADA AFTER THE SIGNING OF THE TREATY OF PARIS -- WRITTEN TO THE GOVERNOR OF QUEBEC BY HIS NEPHEW, A NOTABLE INDIVIDUAL IN HIS OWN RIGHT.

The enclosed letter, written by Patrick Ferguson (1744-1780), makes reference to Murray’s invitation for him to come to Quebec--quite fortuitous, as Ferguson went on to become a Major in the British Army fighting in the American Revolutionary War. He is known for designing the Ferguson rifle and was ultimately killed in the Battle of Kings Mountain in 1780. The addressee, James Murray, was Ferguson’s uncle and served as Governor of Quebec from 1760-1768 and then of Minorca (Spain) from 1778-1782.

Ex Wellburn and Montgomery. Illustrated in The Encyclopedia of British Empire Postage Stamps (Volume V, p. 70). (Image)

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(London, England (?) to Montreal, May 9, 1781). Folded cover with manuscript Mr. Cunningham with (Caleb) Blanchard...acct May 9th, 1781” docketing on flap and addressed to James Walker in Montreal, entered the mails with QUEBEC” straightline and well-struck fhip” handstamp,

p favr of Capt. Boyd” directive, rated 11-1/2” collect for 2-1/2p ship letter and 9p inland postage, top flap reinforced with tape and lightened docketing on bottom flap

VERY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED PRIVATELY HELD EXAMPLE OF THIS HANDSTAMP, WHICH IS THE FIRST KNOWN MARKING USED IN CANADA TO DESIGNATE SHIP LETTERS. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SHIP LETTER COVERS OF CANADA AND A KEY PIECE FOR AN AWARD-WINNING CANADIAN EXHIBIT OR COLLECTION.

There is one other known example of the fhip” marking, which is institutionalized in the Ottawa Archives. We presume this cover was sent from London, based on the answ 13th Oct. 1781” docketing and the fact that there was a merchant by the name of Caleb Blanchard in London at this time. The addressee, James Walker, took part in fighting the Continental Army in Quebec during 1775-76. He eventually moved to Montreal, became a lawyer in 1777, and went on to become a member of the Parliament for Lower Canada.

Ex Montgomery (Image)

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Get Market Data for [Great Britain London, England (?) to Mo]

(London, England to Montreal, Nov. 7, 1792). Folded letter datelined in London and addressed to Montreal, manuscript P Packet via New York” endorsement at bottom, rated 1/-” prepayment plus 1N7” upon arrival paying the 3dwt plus 8 grains U.S. postage from New York to Burlington and 7p inland to Montreal, letter with interesting contents discussing imminent breakout of British-French war (France eventually declared war against Britain on Feb. 1, 1793), Very Fine, ex Montgomery (Image)

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Get Market Data for [Great Britain London, England to Montre]

(London, England to Montreal, Apr. 7, 1796). Folded letter datelined in London and addressed to William Grant in Montreal, endorsed p Ariadne” at bottom, clear strike of SHIP” straightline and corresponding QUEBEC” straightline and 20/IV” Bishop mark datestamp, rated 10” for 8p inland and 2p ship letter upon arrival, Very Fine, this is from the same correspondence as lot 2047 but was directed to a different ship, the addressee’s firm became an important fur trader and shareholder in the North West Company (a competitor to the Hudson’s Bay Company), use of this Ship” marking is rare prior to 1800, ex Montgomery (Image)

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Get Market Data for [Great Britain London, England to Montre]

(London, England to Montreal, Apr. 7, 1796). Folded letter and invoice datelined in London and addressed to Grant, Campion and Co. in Montreal, sender’s ship-name directive p Earl Marchmont” at bottom, clear strike of SHIP” straightline and corresponding Quebec, Canada” double-circle with 25/IV” Bishop mark datestamp, rated 10” for 8p inland and 2p ship letter upon arrival, this is from the same correspondence as lot 2046 but was directed to a different ship

VERY FINE. AN EARLY AND RARE EXAMPLE OF THIS SHIP” MARKING AND QUEBEC DATESTAMP. ONLY A FEW ARE KNOWN USED PRIOR TO 1800.

The addressee, Grant, Campion and Co., became important fur traders and were shareholders in the North West Company (a competitor to the Hudson’s Bay Company). Ex Montgomery (Image)

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Get Market Data for [Great Britain London, England to Montre]

(London, England to Montreal, Apr. 10, 1800). Folded letter datelined in London and addressed to Montreal, ship-name directive Ewretta” (a transatlantic trade vessel owned by a prominent Jewish merchant), clear strike of SHIP” straightline and corresponding QUEBEC/3 JUL 1800” two-line datestamp, rated 10” for 8p inland and 2p ship letter upon arrival, Very Fine and rare, ex Glassco and Steinhart (Image)

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Get Market Data for [Great Britain London, England to Montre]

(London, England to Charlotteville, Upper Canada, Jun. 8, 1807). Folded letter datelined in London and addressed to Thomas Welch in Charlotteville, London Jul. 1807 departure datestamp where it was marked 6/-” for triple packet rate, datestamped Halifax Aug. 31, Quebec Sep. 21 and Apr. 10 (1808), having been delayed by winter, and finally Montreal Jun. 16, red manuscript rates Packet 6N9 (+) 5N (=) 11N9 (+) forwarded 1N6 (=) 13N3 (+) forwarded 2N4 (=) 15N7”, cover with minor faults including heavy folds and minor tears, otherwise Fine, a remarkable cover which took more than a year to deliver and cost a large sum upon receipt, the addressee, Thomas Welch, led a fascinating life as surveyor, militia officer and judge, ex Montgomery (Image)

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Get Market Data for [Great Britain London, England to Charlo]

(Edinburgh to Quebec, Nov. 1, 1812). Red Paid at Edin, Nov. 1, 1812” circular datestamp on folded letter to Custom House in Quebec, rated Pd. 4/10” paying double inland and packet rate, carried via Bermuda and Halifax with HALIFAX/FEB 9” two-line datestamp (Jephcott 9, MacDonald 10) applied on back in transit, further rated 3N4” due, docketing indicating arrival on Mar. 5, small edge tear at top and trivial light stains, Very Fine, this cover was sent via Falmouth Packet to Bermuda due to growing concerns over American privateers attacking British ships, ex Skywalk” (Image)

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Get Market Data for [Great Britain Edinburgh to Quebec]

(Glasgow, Scotland to Montreal, Feb. 5, 1821). Clearly struck Camillus * I. Boyer * Sailed Feby 13” in ornamental oval frame datestamp on folded letter from Glasgow to Montreal, entered the mails in New York with red SHIP” handstamp and matching New York Apr. 6” circular datestamp, rated 20-1/2” and 1N7” paying both the U.S. and Canada postage, Very Fine, ship purser handstamps are rarely encountered on covers to Canada, ex Steinhart (Image)

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Get Market Data for [Great Britain Glasgow, Scotland to Mont]

(Liverpool, England to Montreal, May 28, 1821). Clearly struck Ship Atlantic * W. Matlock * Sailed May 30” in ornamental oval frame datestamp on folded letter from Liverpool to Montreal, entered the mails in New York with red SHIP” handstamp and New York Jul. 3” circular datestamp, rated 20-1/2” and 1N7” paying both the U.S. and Canada postage, minor internal tears not affecting outer panels, Very Fine, ship purser handstamps are rarely encountered on covers to Canada, ex McDonald and Montgomery (Image)

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Get Market Data for [Great Britain Liverpool, England to Mon]

(Wargrave, England to York, Upper Canada, Jun. 9, 1829). Bold PAID AT/OXFORD” boxed handstamp with Jun. 15 departure datestamp on back of folded letter to York, manuscript post paid to Liverpool”, manuscript directive at bottom left, entered U.S. mails with red SHIP” and New York datestamp, clear AMERICAN POSTAGE 1/4-1/2 /FERRIAGE 2 /FORWARDED 7 (=) 2/1-1/2” three-line handstamp applied at Niagara with additional circular datestamp, back with notation by some chance this letter missed Burnham by one hour, RDC”, Very Fine, an outstanding and colorful transatlantic cross-border cover, the three-line handstamp especially scarce as it often comes poorly struck, ex Steinhart and Dr. Robertson (Image)

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Get Market Data for [Great Britain Wargrave, England to York]