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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 30
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 62B
(62B) 1861 10c green Washington Type I tied by black grid cancel and matching "Cleveland O. Mar 25 1862" cds on red, white, and blue uniformed soldier beside a large U.S. flag patriotic cover to Bremen, Germany. Wonderful clear strike of red “N. York 7 Brem Pk Mar. 29 PAID” cds at right. The 10c franking paid the single-weight rate to Bremen by direct Bremen packet, in effect from August 1853 to January 1868. The Bremen service represented one of the earliest direct transatlantic packet arrangements, offering a competitive alternative to British and American contract steamship lines. A fine and visually striking patriotic usage to Germany, combining the scarce 10c type I with a colorful patriotic design carried by Bremen packet.
With 2025 Philatelic Foundation certificate. (Image)
Est.US$3,000-4,000
Opening US$ 3,000.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 31
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 78/96/U41
(78/96/U41) 1861-68 10c green Washington F Grill & 24c dark lilac Washington used on 1861 10c entire all with black "X" chop cancels of the U.S. Postal Agency in Yokohama, Japan on cover to Pilkington Bros. in Blackburn, England, with manuscript directive "via San Francisco & overland" at top left. Carried aboard the "China" of the Pacific Mail Steamship Co., departing Yokohama on December 3, 1869 and arriving in San Francisco on December 25. A magenta "San Francisco, Cal. Dec 29 PAID" cds appears on the reverse, along with a Blackburn receiving backstamp dated January 17, 1870. The franking pays the 44c double-weight rate, comprised of 20c for U.S.-Japan Treaty rate (2×10c rate effective 1/67–7/75) and 24c for British packet service to England (2×12c rate effective 1/68–1/70). The red manuscript "4" denotes a double-weight credit to England on transit mail originating outside the United States. The 10c stamp has a crease at top due to its placement at time of use, still a rare and visually striking cover tied by iconic Yokohama “X” chop cancels, with complete transpacific and transatlantic routing, representing a choice artifact of 19th century Japan-U.S.-U.K. postal history. 2025 Philatelic Foundation certificate. (Image)
Est.US$5,000-7,500
Opening US$ 5,000.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 32
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 89
(89) 1868 10c green Washington E Grill tied by black geometric fancy cancel with matching “San Francisco, Cal. Mar. 20” (1870) cds on blue cover originating in Japan, endorsed “U.S. Flagship Delaware” at top left, addressed to Lewisboro, Westchester County, New York. The 10c franking pays the single-weight Transpacific rate by American packet via San Francisco, effective January 1868 to July 1870. This cover was carried aboard the U.S. Flagship Delaware, which had been renamed from the USS Piscataqua on May 15, 1869, while in service in East Asia. The Delaware was decommissioned in December 1870, making 1870 the sending year for this cover. Stamp with some stains at edges, but overall a fine piece of Japan-origin U.S. postal history, combining the 10c E Grill with "U.S. Flagship Delaware" endorsement and subsequent carriage to San Francisco. (Image)
Est.US$500-750
Opening US$ 500.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 33
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 68
(68) 1861 10c green Washington tied by quartered cork cancel and additionally struck with Yokohama “X” chop cancel on pre-printed address cover from Shanghai via Yokohama & San Francisco to Philadelphia. Fair strike of desirable ornamented oval “CHINA AND JAPAN STEAM SERVICE” (SFC-PMS3) handstamp at top center, endorsed with “Via San Francisco” handstamp at top left and “Olyphant & Co. / Shanghai, May 25th 1868” double-line company datestamp at lower left. Black “San Francisco, Cal. Jun. 26” (1868) cds at left of 10c stamp with postal markings completed by Philadelphia July 11, 11 A.M. receiving backstamp. The 10c franking pays the single-rate postage from Shanghai by American packet via San Francisco under the China–Japan Steam Service in place from January 1867 to July 1875. Small cover stain affects stamp at right but still a nice usage overall from Shanghai via Yokohama with distinctive "X" chop cancel applied then via San Francisco before arriving at final destination, combining a variety of distinctive handstamps and postal markings. (Image)
Est.US$750-1,000
Opening US$ 750.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 34
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 68
(68) 1861 10c green Washington used by manuscript pen stroke cancel on buff cover originating in the Red River Settlement (present day Manitoba, Canada) on June 5, 1865 according to docketing at left and sent via Pembina in the northern most tip of the Dakota Territory to Freelton, Canada West.
The carriage fee from Red River to Pembina was 2c and paid in cash with the 10c stamp paying the postage for U.S.-Canada transit, original multi-page letter accompanies. A particularly fine and early example of a U.S. stamp used in pre-federation Canada for carriage via U.S. mails to a destination elsewhere in Canada. (Image)
Est.US$750-1,000
Opening US$ 750.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 35
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 68
(68) 1861 10c green Washington tied by black "New York Jun 21" (1866) cds and geometric cancel on folded letter sent by ship to Dorchester, New Brunswick with "Saint Johns, N.B. June 26 1866" receiving backstamp. The stamp affected by file fold but overall still a very fine appearing example of New York to New Brunswick pre-confederation U.S.-Canada postal history. (Image)
Est.US$200-300
Opening US$ 200.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 36
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 68
(68) 1861 10c green Washington tied by black "New York Aug 18 1862" cds and matching grid cancel on folded letter originating in Jamaica and addressed to Ragged Islands, Nova Scotia. The letter is datelined Kingston, Jamaica on August 7, 1862, and was privately carried or "bootlegged" from Jamaica to New York, where it entered the U.S. mails without any foreign transit markings as usual. Struck with red "U.S. 10cts, Paid" oval handstamp indicating prepayment of the U.S.-Canada treaty rate, additional Halifax "AU 23 1862" transit and "Ragged Islands AU 26 1862" receiving backstamps. A scarce and visually striking example of a bootlegged letter from the Caribbean, carried outside official postal channels into the U.S. then sent via U.S. mail to a fairly remote destination in Nova Scotia, over 100 miles southwest of Halifax. (Image)
Est.US$300-500
Opening US$ 300.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 37
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 63,68
(63,68) 1861 10c green Washington and 1c blue Franklin tied by black "New York Nov 13 1862" cds and matching geometric cancel paying the 1c carrier fee for pickup from the sender and double-weight letter rate from New York to Nassau, Bahamas. A desirable and fine cover from New York to the Bahamas with carrier fee paid by an 1861 1c stamp. (Image)
Est.US$300-500
Opening US$ 300.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 38
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 96
(96) 1868 10c yellow green Washington F Grill tied by bold strike of "Boston Mass. Jul. 19" duplex datestamp on 1869-dated folded letter to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, with merchant's embossed cornercard at left for N. P. Mann & Co. Commission Merchants. The stamp has small perf flaws, though still a fine and uncommon destination with postage paid by an 1868 10c F Grill. (Image)
Est.US$300-500
Opening US$ 300.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 39
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 68
(68) 1861 10c green Washington horizontal pair tied by blue cancels and matching clear strike of blue Philadelphia, Pa. cds on cover to Augustus Wilson in Santiago, Cuba, care of Messrs. Brooks & Co. Strike of “NA” in circle due marking applied over Philadelphia cds upon arrival in Cuba. The 20c franking paid the double-weight rate for American packet mail service to Cuba, in effect from July 1864 through July 1875. Cover with light soiling at edges and backflap tear, still a fine and scarce double-rate usage to a Caribbean destination. (Image)
Est.US$300-500
Opening US$ 300.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 40
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 96
(96) 1868 10c yellow green Washington F Grill tied by black cork cancel on folded letter datelined St. Lucia, December 10, 1868, addressed to New York City. The letter was carried privately to St. Thomas, Danish West Indies, where it was forwarded into the U.S. mails by James T. Abbott & Co., indicated by large blue oval “Forwarded By / James T. Abbott & Co. / St. Thomas W.I.” handstamp at left and “N. York Steamship Dec 23 (1868)” cds at center applied upon arrival into New York City. The 10c U.S. franking paid the standard incoming rate from the D.W.I. to the United States. The letter was carried by American steamship service from St. Thomas to New York under the mail contract of the time. The 10c stamp is affected by file fold but still fine and scarce forwarded Trans-Caribbean usage, representing a classic inbound steamship rate from the West Indies during the 1861-68 issue era. (Image)
Est.US$300-500
Opening US$ 300.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 41
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 68,DWI 2
(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". (Image)
Est.US$2,000-3,000
Opening US$ 2,000.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 42
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 96
(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. (Image)
Est.US$750-1,000
Opening US$ 750.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 43
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 68,70
(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. (Image)
Est.US$750-1,000
Opening US$ 750.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 44
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 68,69
(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. (Image)
Est.US$200-300
Opening US$ 200.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 45
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 68,70b
(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. (Image)
Est.US$2,000-3,000
Opening US$ 2,000.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 46
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 68
(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. (Image)
Est.US$300-500
Opening US$ 300.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 47
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 68,77
(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. (Image)
Est.US$300-500
Opening US$ 300.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 48
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 68,69,70
(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. (Image)
Est.US$750-1,000
Opening US$ 750.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 49
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 68,72,73
(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". (Image)
Est.US$5,000-7,500
Opening US$ 5,000.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 50
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 68,76
(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. (Image)
Est.US$400-500
Opening US$ 400.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 51
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 89
(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. (Image)
Est.US$750-1,000
Opening US$ 750.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 52
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 68,72,73
(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. (Image)
Est.US$500-750
Opening US$ 500.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 53
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 63,68,69
(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. (Image)
Est.US$300-500
Opening US$ 300.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 54
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 68
(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. (Image)
Est.US$300-500
Opening US$ 300.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 55
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 89
(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)
Est.US$300-500
Opening US$ 300.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 56
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 88,89
(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. (Image)
Est.US$400-500
Opening US$ 400.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 57
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 96,114
(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. (Image)
Est.US$1,500-2,000
Opening US$ 1,500.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 58
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 65,68,76
(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. (Image)
Est.US$400-500
Opening US$ 400.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 59
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 68
(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)
Est.US$750-1,000
Opening US$ 750.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 60
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 68,69
(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. (Image)
Est.US$400-500
Opening US$ 400.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 61
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 89
(89) 1868 10c green Washington E Grill tied by cork cancel with matching “New Orleans, La. Nov. 16” (1868) cds on folded letter to Barcelona, Spain including bold straight-line “PAID-ONLY / TO ENGLAND” handstamp at right and red New York Nov 21 American Packet exchange cds below. Blue “4R” accounting handstamp at center accompanied by red London December 3 transit and Barcelona receiving backstamps. Sender's oval handstamp "L. Grand & Co., New Orleans" at lower left. The 10c franking pays the single-weight rate by American packet under the British open mail system, effective September 1868 to January 1870. This covered postage only to England, with additional charges due from the recipient for carriage to Spain. A fine and desirable folded letter to Spain, showing the “PAID-ONLY / TO ENGLAND” auxiliary marking franked by a 10c E Grill. (Image)
Est.US$300-400
Opening US$ 300.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 62
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 63,68
(63,68) 1861 10c green Washington vertical pair and 1c blue Franklin tied by black cork cancels with red “New York Paid 18 May 1” (1867) cds also tying 1c on small narrow cover from Rochester, N.Y. to Gibraltar. Black "Rochester NY Apr 29" cds at bottom left, red “4R” accounting handstamp at center and "Gibraltar MY 17 67" receiving cds at top right.
The 21c franking pays the single-rate (up to 1/4 oz) to Gibraltar via France under the 1857 U.S.-France Convention. The cover was carried on to Spain after arrival into France (Calais & PD handstamps at right plus transit backstamp) then on to Gibraltar. 10c pair with tiny perf flaws from edge placement, light cover soiling, otherwise fine. A fine and very scarce destination usage to Gibraltar, combining a 10c pair with the 1c Franklin to meet the 21c treaty rate. (Image)
Est.US$750-1,000
Opening US$ 750.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 63
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 68
(68) 1861 10c green Washington pair and single tied by black cork cancels on cover to Constantinople, Turkey. Red “New York Br. Pkt. 7 Paid Sep. 26” credit cds at left, with bold blue “Aachen Franco” transit and boxed “Franco-Preuss. resp. Vereinsl: Ausg: Gr.” (paid only to limits of German-Austrian Postal Union) handstamps at center. Additional “Wien” transit backstamp and “Constantinopel” arrival backstamp. The 30c franking prepaid the Prussian Closed Mail rate via Vienna to Turkey, with carriage through the North German Union and Austria before entering the Ottoman Empire. Wrinkle at top of cover slightly affects stamps, but still a very fine appearing and rare usage via German mails to Constantinople with choice blue Aachen and boxed "Franco-Preuss" exchange markings. The addressee, Rev. George Washburn (1833–1915), first arrived in Constantinople in 1858 as Treasurer of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, where he managed the finances of the Board’s Ottoman mission. His earliest years coincided with the city’s transformation in the aftermath of the Crimean War, a period he later recalled vividly in his memoir Fifty Years in Constantinople: There was a restfulness in life in Constantinople in those days which was refreshing to an American. No Turk was ever in a hurry. Time was of no account. If a Turk moved, it was with deliberation and dignity. If he smoked, it was a tchibouk or a nargileh, and it was the business of the hour. No modern improvements had come to disturb the peace of the city and complicate the simple life of the people. A few small steamers had begun to ply on the Bosphorus, but it was still picturesque with thousands of graceful caiques and hundreds of sailing craft. I remember one day when more than a thousand ships passed up the Bosphorus. I counted more than three hundred in sight at once, all under full sail. In the 1860s, Washburn worked with Dr. Cyrus Hamlin during the formative years of Robert College (founded in 1863), later becoming a professor and eventually succeeding Hamlin as President of the College. Together, they laid the groundwork for the institution to become the leading American educational presence in the Near East. Today, Robert College remains the oldest continually running American school founded outside the United States. (Image)
Est.US$2,000-3,000
Opening US$ 2,000.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 64
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 96
(96) 1868 10c green Washington F Grill vertical pair cancelled by bold black target cancels with matching “Schenectady, N.Y. Jun. 22” (1869) cds on partly pre-printed address cover to Henry Ramsay in Cairo, Egypt. Red “New York Paid All Br. Transit Jun. 23” exchange cds on reverse, with bold red “5” in circle credit handstamp at bottom right, red four-line “Verviers A/6 7 III/Coeln Franco” exchange marking tying stamps at center, and Trieste July 6 transit backstamp. Additional blue crayon “f 4” (silbergroschen) accounting at lower left, concluding with circular Alexandria transit and Cairo receiving backstamps. The 20c franking was underpaid against the then current 25¢ Northern German Union closed mail rate to Egypt, in effect from December 1868 to July 1870. The 20¢ rate was in effect during the previous year. Despite the deficiency, the cover was carried via the NGU system into the Mediterranean, reaching Alexandria as evidenced by backstamps. Some slight edge wear but overall an attractive and exceedingly rare usage of the 10¢ F Grill to Egypt, underpaid yet accepted. Ex Gibson & Herzog, with 2025 Philatelic Foundation certificate. (Image)
Est.US$3,000-4,000
Opening US$ 3,000.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 65
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 96
(96) 1868 10c green Washington F Grill vertical pair tied by black target cancels with matching “Schenectady, N.Y. Jun 21” (1869) cds on partly pre-printed address cover to Henry Ramsay in Jerusalem, Syria, later amended in manuscript to Palestine. Stamps also tied by bold red four-line “Verviers A/4 7 III/Coeln Franco” (July 4) exchange and red “5” in circle credit handstamps. Blue crayon "f 2" (silbergroschen) for credit beyond North German Union at lower left. Backstamped with red “New York Paid All Br. Transit Jun 23” exchange cds, oval “Triest 7/1” transit and clear “Gerusalemme 19/7” (July 19) receiving handstamps. The 20c franking pays the single-weight letter rate to Palestine by North German Union closed mail, in effect January 1868 to July 1870, carried via the Hamburg–American Line steamer Cimbria from New York to Hamburg. An exceedingly rare and handsome usage to Jerusalem franked by a pair of 1868 10c grilled stamps sent via German mails. Ex Gibson & Herzog, with 2025 Philatelic Foundation certificate. (Image)
Est.US$3,000-4,000
Opening US$ 3,000.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 66
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 68
(68) 1861 10c green Washington horizontal pair tied by black cork cancels with matching “Newark, N.J. Jan. 29” cds on yellow cover with preprinted address to Rev. James S. Dennis, Beirut, Syria. Red “New York Paid All Br. Transit Jan. 30” exchange cds on reverse, with matching red “5” credit handstamp on front. Additional four-line “Verviers A/12 2 III/Coeln Franco” (Feb. 12) exchange handstamp at center, blue crayon "f 2" (silbergroschen) for credit beyond North German Union plus Trieste Feb. 14 transit and Beirut Mar. 2 arrival cds backstamps. The 20c franking pays the North German Union closed mail rate to Syria, in effect January 1868 to July 1870. Cover with repair at top center with perfs of right stamp affected by edge placement, otherwise fine. A colorful and scarce usage of the 10c 1861-68 Issue to Syria, with a desirable sequence of exchange, transit, and arrival markings. The addressee, Rev. James Shepard Dennis (1842–1914), was a prominent American Presbyterian missionary and author who spent much of his early career in Beirut, Syria (modern-day Lebanon). Arriving there in 1868 under the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, Dennis devoted himself to educational and evangelistic work in connection with the Syrian Protestant College (later the American University of Beirut). Over the following decades he became a leading interpreter of Christianity’s role in the Near East and a prolific writer on the global missionary movement, authoring the influential three-volume Christian Missions and Social Progress (1897–1906). His early years in Beirut, during which this cover was sent, marked the beginning of a career that helped shape American religious and intellectual engagement with the Middle East. (Image)
Est.US$500-750
Opening US$ 500.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 67
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 69,96
(69,96) 1868 10c green Washington F Grill and 1861 12c black Washington tied by geometric cork cancels with Boston, Massachusetts cds at left on cover endorsed “Via England” and addressed to Captain H. Lowenstein, Sierra Leone, W.C. Africa. Red London March 20, 1869 transit cds below stamps and Sierra Leone April 8, 1869 receiving backstamp. The 22c franking paid the single-weight rate by British packet to Sierra Leone effective January 1868 to January 1870. Cover slightly reduced at left from opening, repair at top left corner but still a fine appearing and very scarce West African destination using 1861-68 Issue stamps, representing one of the few recorded U.S. covers to Sierra Leone in this period. Ex Gibson. (Image)
Est.US$500-750
Opening US$ 500.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 68
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 68,76
(68,76) 1861 10c green Washington, 5c brown Jefferson, two of each, tied by black target cancels on cover addressed to Mauritius, endorsed “In care of U.S. Consul.” with September 12 origin town cds at left, red Red “New York Sep 26 Paid 24” exchange cds at center, French transit cds and "PD" in box handstamp. Reverse includes Paris October 10, Marseilles October 11 transit and Mauritius November 22 receiving backstamps. The 30c franking pays the single-weight rate to Mauritius under the French mail system, in effect from April 1857 to January 1870, at 30c per ¼ oz. The cover has been restored including the right side added, stamps with faults though still a fine appearing and colorful franking to the scarce destination of Mauritius, combining 5c and 10c values of the 1861–68 Issue to pay the French mail rate. (Image)
Est.US$500-750
Opening US$ 500.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 69
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 63,65,68
(63,65,68) 1861 1c blue Franklin, two singles, 3c rose Washington, and 10c green Washington vertical pair and two additional singles, all canceled by circular grid cancels with matching “New Brunswick N.J. Mar 18 1862” cds at right on cover to Hong Kong, China. Red London transit cds at right. magenta manuscript “24” credit notation at center and black "Hong Kong MY 21 62" receiving backstamp. The 45c composite franking pays the single-weight British mail rate via Southampton to Hong Kong. A very fine and visually impressive seven-stamp 1861 Issue franking to Hong Kong.
With 2025 Philatelic Foundation certificate. (Image)
Est.US$1,000-1,500
Opening US$ 1,000.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 70
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 65,68
(65,68) 1861 10c green Washington vertical pair and single, 3c rose Washington, canceled by black grid cancels with matching “Dover, N.H. Dec 12 1864” cds on fresh cover to Melbourne, Australia. Red “Boston Br. Pkt Paid” backstamp, carried by British mail via Southampton with red “28” credit handstamp. Reverse includes "London DE 26 64" transit and blue “Melborne MR 15 65” receiving backstamps. The 33c franking pays the single-weight rate (per 1/2 oz.) to Victoria by the Southampton route in effect from January 1857 to January 1868. A very fine and attractive usage to Australia, featuring a striking 33c composite franking with 10c & 3c 1861-68 Issue stamps.
With 2025 Philatelic Foundation certificate. (Image)
Est.US$750-1,000
Opening US$ 750.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 71
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 65,68,73
(65,68,73) 1861 3c rose Washington, 10c green Washington block of four, and 2c black Jackson, all manuscript cancelled and tied partially by “Adamsville, R.I. Nov. 26” (1866) markings on cover to Pyramid, Long Creek, New South Wales. Red “New York Paid All Br. Pkt Nov 28” exchange cds at left, 1866 London transit cds, and “40” credit to Great Britain handstamp at right. Reverse with clear “Sydney Ship Letter Feb 15 1867” and Long Creek, NSW receiving backstamps. The 45c franking pays the British mail rate via Marseilles for a ¼–½ oz. letter to New South Wales, in effect from January 1857 to January 1868. All stamps with small faults and light cover soiling, small backflap tears, though overall still nice in appearance. A rare and desirable destination usage, with a 10c 1861-68 Issue block paying the bulk of the 45c rate to Australia. (Image)
Est.US$500-750
Opening US$ 500.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 72
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 68,69
(68,69) 1861 10c green and 12c black Washington tied by black cork cancels with matching “Washington, D.C. Jul. 31” (1868) cds on cover endorsed “Via Steamer per Panama R. Road” and addressed to Sydney, New South Wales. Red “New York 12” credit handstamp at left, carried by American steamship to Panama, across the Isthmus by rail, with clear “Panama Aug. 17 68” transit cds, and onward by British packet service across the Pacific. Arrival into Sydney noted by October 9, 1868 receiving backstamp. The 22c franking pays the British packet rate per 1/2 oz. to New South Wales via Panama, in effect from January 1868 to January 1870. A very fine and scarce Panama-route usage from Washington, DC to Sydney, Australia. (Image)
Est.US$500-750
Opening US$ 500.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 73
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 68,76
(68,76) 10c green Washington, two horizontal pairs and 5c brown Jefferson, manuscript cancels on cover from North Falmouth, Massachusetts with red "North Falmouth, Ms. Aug 3" (1866) cds at left to Mongonui, New Zealand, endorsed “via Marseilles.” Red “Boston Paid Br. Pkt 3 Aug” exchange cds on reverse and London transit cds tying stamp at center. Cover reverse includes October 23, 1866 Auckland transit and November 5, 1866 Mongonui, New Zealand receiving backstamps. The 45c franking pays the double-weight letter (1/4-1/2 oz.) rate to New Zealand by British mail via Marseilles, in effect from October 1858 to January 1868. Cover restored at top, backflap missing and minor soiling, still a colorful and scarce 45c franking to New Zealand, one of the most elusive Australasian destinations in this period of U.S. postal history. (Image)
Est.US$500-750
Opening US$ 500.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 74
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 68,69
(68,69) 10c green and 12c black Washington tied by Boston cds and cork cancel on cover endorsed “Via Panama” and addressed to George Windsor, care of Taylor & Co., Lyttelton, New Zealand. Red “New York 12” credit handstamp at right over red exchange cds, and "Panama JA 11 67" transit cds at center. Reverse has "Lyttelton, New Zealand FE 25 67" receiving backstamp. The 22c franking pays the single-weight British packet rate to New Zealand via Panama, in effect August 1866 to March 1869, with carriage by American packet to Aspinwall, over the Isthmus of Panama by rail, and onward across the Pacific by British colonial packet. Stamps slightly affected by edge placement, backflap with tears but overall a fine appearing and rare Panama-route usage to New Zealand, combining 10c and 12c 1861–68 Issue stamps to pay the proper rate. (Image)
Est.US$750-1,000
Opening US$ 750.00
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1861-68 30c Issue
Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 75
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 32,71,73
(32,71,73) Hawaii 5c blue King Kamehameha, U.S. 30c orange Franklin and 2c black Jackson horizontal pair, all tied by manuscript or cork cancels on 1867 cover from Hawaii. via San Francisco to Glasgow, Scotland. Black “San Francisco Cal Nov 15” transit cds and partial red New York cds at right. The 39c franking represents a carefully calculated composite payment of the 2c ship fee, 3c Hawaiian postage rate the 10c rate to the U.S., and the 24c rate from the U.S. to Scotland - a combined rate structure valid for only four months, from September 1867 to January 1868. The 24c rate from the U.S. to Scotland was in effect from February 1849 to January 1868 and the 10c rate from Hawaii to the U.S. was in effect from September 1867 to July 1870. Only a handful of covers are known sent from Hawaii with a 30c 1861 Issue stamp. This is the only one franked with a Hawaiian stamp in combination with the 30c 1861 Issue that we are aware of. Part of the right backflap is missing, but overall this is very fine appearing and remarkable Hawaiian and U.S. mixed franking with a 30c 1861 Issue used from Hawaii. With 2025 Philatelic Foundation certificate. (Image)
Est.US$10,000-15,000
Opening US$ 10,000.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 76
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 68,71,73
(68,71,73) 1861 10c green Washington, 30c orange Franklin and 2c black Jackson tied by bold checkered cork cancels with matching “New York Paid 36 May (1866)" exchange cds at right on cover to Acting 3rd Asst. Engineer Wm. H. Leonard, U.S. Steamer Ticonderoga, Lisbon, Portugal. Additional "Care of American Consul" manuscript at left. Red French boxed "PD" and black August 19, 1866 transit cds at right alongside black “480” reis due handstamp tying 10c stamp. Black Lisbon June 6, 1866 receiving backstamp. The 42c franking pays the double 21c French mail rate to Portugal, in effect from April 1857 to September 1866. The postage only paid to the French-Spanish border with the "480" reis due applied in Portugal for additional carriage of the double-weight letter on to Lisbon, where the USS Ticonderoga was stationed as part of the U.S. European Squadron, patrolling Atlantic and Mediterranean waters in the mid-1860s after the U.S. Civil War. 10c stamp shows faults at right from placement near the edge, and 2c stamp with perforation flaws from edge trimming, otherwise fine and attractive. A scarce naval-related destination usage of the 1861 Issue to Portugal, combining three denominations to make up the correct double rate alongside a "480" reis handstamp. (Image)
Est.US$500-750
Opening US$ 500.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 77
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 69,71
(69,71) 1861 12c black Washington and 30c orange Franklin tied by black grid cancels with matching Cambridge, Massachusetts cds on cover addressed to Midshipman Charles H. Davis, U.S.N., United States Frigate “Colorado,” Antwerp, Belgium. Additional red "New York Paid 36 July 12" credit exchange cds at right and black French July 23, 1865 transit marking at left. Reverse has additional transit marking and Belgian receiving cds. The 42c franking pays the double-weight French mail rate to Belgium, in effect April 1857 to February 1867, with carriage by British packet across the Atlantic and onward into Belgium. A fine and scarce naval-related destination usage, combining the 30c and 12c 1861 Issue to make up the double-weight (between ¼-½ oz.) French mail rate to Belgium. The addressee, Charles Henry Davis Jr. (1845–1921), was the son of Rear Admiral Charles H. Davis, a distinguished Union naval commander during the Civil War. Following his father’s path, Davis Jr. entered the U.S. Navy during the war years and by the mid-1860s was serving as a midshipman in Europe. At the time this cover was sent, he was stationed aboard the USS Colorado, then the flagship of the European Squadron. Ordered to that station, Colorado departed the New York Navy Yard on 16 June 1865 and remained in European waters until July 1867, cruising off England, Spain, and into the Mediterranean. Davis Jr. later continued his naval career, highlighted by his appointment as the third Director of the Office of Naval Intelligence from 1889-1892. (Image)
Est.US$500-750
Opening US$ 500.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 78
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 65,71
(65,71) 1861 3c rose Washington and 30c orange Franklin horizontal pair, natural straight edge at right, all tied by black targets duplexed with “Philad’a Pa. Apr. 4, 1865” cds on cover addressed to Madame Pike, American Legation, The Hague, Holland. Partial red “New York Paid Apr. 5” exchange cds to right of 30c pair, with black French transit and "P.D." in box at center, April 17 French transit and April 18 Hague receiving backstamps. The 63c franking pays the triple 21c French mail rate to Holland, in effect from April 1857 to January 1868, carried by French packet via Southampton. This is a rare and visually striking triple-rate usage, combining a 30c pair and 3c 1861 Issue to make up the exact 63c postage. Left 30c stamp shows pre-use tears and a crease, otherwise fine appearing and attractive. The addressee, Madame Pike was the wife of James Shepherd Pike (1811–1882), U.S. Minister to the Netherlands (1861–66). Pike, a noted journalist and diplomat, represented American interests during the U.S. Civil War and maintained strong U.S.–Dutch relations at a pivotal moment in transatlantic politics. With 2007 Philatelic Foundation certificate. (Image)
Est.US$750-1,000
Opening US$ 750.00
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Sale No: 0126
Lot No: 79
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 100
(100) 1868 30c orange Franklin F Grill tied by large black grid cancel on cover to Paris, France, with red “New York Paid 12 Dec. 9” (1868) credit cds at center and blue Calais entry cds above. Original letter enclosure datelined “New York, December 5, 1868” remains with cover. The 30c franking pays the double 15c French treaty rate to France by American packet, in effect from April 1857 to January 1870. Posted in December 1868, this cover represents a first-month usage of the 30c F Grill. Small stain visible along top of cover, otherwise a fine example of the 30c F Grill used at the double French treaty rate, with crisp exchange and entry markings and the original letter preserved. Included in William Herzog's 1985 census of 30c F Grill covers published in the USPCS Chronicle 126. (Image)
