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Schuyler J. Rumsey Philatelic Auctions Sale: 93

United States
Via San Francisco Pre-1870

Sale No: 93
Lot No: 4061
Symbol:
Cat No: 15

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image Australian States: New South Wales, 1857 (Apr. 24) Sydney, New South Wales to New York N.Y. Docketed folded cover with sharp blue "E. Lynch & Co., Sydney" double-oval, carried out-of-mails by private ship to San Francisco, entered mails with United States, 10¢ green (15), mostly large margins, tied by "San Francisco Cal., Aug 5, 1857" cds, ship via Panama to New York, Very Fine, ex-Kramer.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

Captains of private ships were required to turn over mail to United States post office at port of entry. In this case, the letter was mailed directly with the post office and the captain's gratuity was not paid.
Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

Opening US$ 900.00
Sold...US$ 900.00


Closed..Jun-12-2020, 19:05:19 EST
Sold For 900

Sale No: 93
Lot No: 4062
Symbol:
Cat No: 18

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image Australian States: Victoria, 1859 (Jan. 16) Melbourne, Victoria to New York N.Y. via San Francisco. Blue folded cover bearing Victoria, 1s blue tied by numeral "1" barred oval, matching "Melbourne, Victoria, JA*16, 1858" (year not updated to 1859) rimless oval backstamp, endorsed for Columbian via Suez and Southampton, framed "Detained for "2" Postage" handstamp with ms. "2" pence due, red "G.P.O. Insufficiently Paid, Melbourne" oval handstamp, Melbourne (2.1.1859) backstamp, sent by private ship via Pacific Ocean, "San Francisco Cal., '12' May 20, 1859" integral-due cds for 10¢ postage over 3,000 miles plus 2¢ ship fee, sent by ship via Panama to New York; bottom flap missing and bottom left corner repair, 1s creased from horizontal fold, Very Fine appearance.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

The rate to the United States border via Southampton during this period was 14 pence, so this cover was marked "Insufficiently Paid" and "Detained for Postage". When the additional 2 pence was not forthcoming, the cover was sent via San Francisco overpaid for the 6 pence private ship rate.
Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Opening US$ 500.00
Sold...US$ 500.00


Closed..Jun-12-2020, 19:06:00 EST
Sold For 500

Sale No: 93
Lot No: 4063
Symbol:
Cat No: 35

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image 1860 (Jun. 4) South Bend Ind. to Melbourne, Victoria. Light amber cover bearing United States, 10¢ green (35) tied by sharp "South Bend Ind. Jun 4" cds, endorsed "Via California", carried by private ship via Pacific Ocean, reverse with "Ship Letter, Sydney, SP 3" rimless cds and red Melbourne (9.11) arrival cds, forwarded to Sunbury with Sep. 12th arrival backstamp, forwarded again to Black Forest with Melbourne (9.13) transit backstamp and Sep. 17th arrival backstamp; top edge tear, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS RARE 10¢ PRIVATE SHIP LETTER RATE TO THE AUSTRALIAN COLONIES.

Starnes lists a 10¢ private ship rate from San Francisco to Australian Colonies from April 1855 until August 1863. Very little mail was sent since sailings were infrequent and post offices did not have access to private ship sailing schedules. Note there were no arrival charges in Australia.
Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Opening US$ 900.00


Closed..Jun-12-2020, 19:06:25 EST
Sold For 0

Great Britain and British Commonwealth
Via San Francisco Pre-1870

Sale No: 93
Lot No: 4064
Symbol:
Cat No: 30

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image Australian States: Victoria, 1861 (Mar. 18) Melbourne, Victoria to San Francisco Cal. Gray folded cover with original letter bearing Victoria, 6d blue (30) tied by bold "1" numeral grid, matching "Melbourne, MA 18, 61" backstamp, carried as endorsed by Iconium to San Francisco, entered mails with "San Francisco Cal., Jun 7, 1861" cds and matching bold "Ship 6" due handstamp; some edge wear, Very Fine.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

This San Francisco "Ship 6" marking is the last state of the device with the clamshell removed. See article by Fred Gregory in "Western Express".
Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Opening US$ 700.00
Sold...US$ 700.00


Closed..Jun-12-2020, 19:06:45 EST
Sold For 700

Sale No: 93
Lot No: 4065
Symbol:

image Australian States: New South Wales, 1861 (Apr. 17) Sydney, New South Wales to San Francisco Cal. Datelined folded letter bearing New South Wales, 6d violet (40), some per flaws, tied by "N.S.W." barred oval duplexed with "Sydney, AP17 '61" cds, carried as endorsed by ship Alcyone via Pacific Ocean, entered mail with "San Francisco Cal. Jul 3, 1861" cds and matching bold "Ship 5" rating handstamp (earliest recorded example); cover wear, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

In 1861, the anomaly that letters sent beyond the port of entry were charged less than those to the port of entry was corrected. Now the rate to port of entry was 5¢; the rate beyond was domestic postage plus 2¢ captain's concession.

Illustrated in "Letters of Gold" by Coburn on p. 339.
Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Opening US$ 400.00


Closed..Jun-12-2020, 19:07:08 EST
Sold For 0

Sale No: 93
Lot No: 4066
Symbol:
Cat No: 36, 39

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image Australian States: New South Wales, 1861 (Jun. 29) Sydney, New South Wales to San Francisco Cal. Datelined folded letter bearing New South Wales 2d blue (36), 6d brown (39), each tied by "N.S.W." oval duplexed with "Sydney, JU 29 '61" cds, carried as endorsed by Midas via Newcastle across the Pacific Ocean, entered mails with "San Francisco, Oct 17, 1861" cds and matching bold "Ship 5" due handstamp for 5¢ port-of-entry ship fee; some age spotting, Very Fine.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

Apparently the 8d rate included 2d to Newcastle plus 6d for private ship letter.
Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

Opening US$ 550.00


Closed..Jun-12-2020, 19:07:21 EST
Sold For 0

Worldwide Stamps and Covers
Via San Francisco Pre-1870

Sale No: 93
Lot No: 4067
Symbol:
Cat No: 47, 48, 40

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image Australian States: New South Wales, 1864 (Jun. 13) Clarencetown, New South Wales to El Monte Cal. via San Francisco. Cover bearing 1d red (47), 2d blue (48) and three 6d violet (40) singles, all tied by radial "56" numeral cancels prepaying the 21d rate west-coast rate via Southampton, matching "Clarencetown N.S.W., JU 13, 1864" rimless postmark, sent by ship Uruguay across Pacific Ocean, "San Francisco, Cal. Oct 16, 1864" cds and matching "FOREIGN" and "10" rating handstamps, stagecoach to El Monte; stamp flaws, some aging and soiling, reduced at left, Fine.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED SAN FRANCISCO "FOREIGN" HANDSTAMPED COVERS ORIGINATING FROM THE AUSTRALIAN COLONIES.

For a two month period in 1864, the San Francisco postmaster misinterpreted the 1863 blanket rate for arriving ship letters, applying a FOREIGN handstamp and charging 10¢ postage. See "San Francisco's Foreign Handstamp of 1864", D. Forster and F. Gregory, Collectors Club Philatelist, May-June 2006. The Forster-Gregory census records a total of eighteen covers with the "FOREIGN" handstamp - only three of which originate from Australian colonies.

This cover was properly franked for the Southampton rate to west coast, but the Sydney postmaster sent on an opportunity sailing of the "Uruguay" via the Pacific Ocean.
Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Opening US$ 800.00


Closed..Jun-12-2020, 19:07:47 EST
Sold For 0

Great Britain and British Commonwealth
Via San Francisco Pre-1870

Sale No: 93
Lot No: 4068
Symbol:

image Australian States: New South Wales, 1864 (Jul. 13) Sydney, New South Wales to San Francisco Cal. Cover bearing New South Wales, 2d blue, strip of three, tied by two bold strikes of "N.S.W." oval duplex with "Sydney, JY13 '64" cds, carried by Bark Australind via Pacific Ocean, sharp "San Francisco Cal., Oct 1, 1864" cds with matching bold "FOREIGN" and "10" rating handstamps, Extremely Fine and choice.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.

A REMARKABLE USE OF THE SAN FRANCISCO "FOREIGN" HANDSTAMP ON AUSTRALIAN MAILS, ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED.

The Forster-Gregory census records a total of eighteen covers with the "FOREIGN" handstamp - only three of which originate from Australian colonies.
Est. $2,000-3,000 (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000

Opening US$ 2,400.00
Sold...US$ 2,400.00


Closed..Jun-12-2020, 19:08:21 EST
Sold For 2400

Sale No: 93
Lot No: 4069
Symbol:
Cat No: 16, 25

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image Australian States: South Australia, 1864 (Jul. 27) Port Adelaide, South Australia to West Port Conn. Blue cover bearing South Australia, 2d vermilion (16), 1s lake brown (25) tied by barred numeral ovals prepaying 14d for the prepaid rate via England, matching "Port-Adelaide, JY 27 '64" cds, endorsement "Via England" crossed out and updated to "Via Sydney", private ship via Pacific Ocean to San Francisco, entered mails with "San Francisco Cal., Nov 5, 1864" cds with "SHIP" straightline and "8" in circle due handstamp, overland stage to Westport; reduced at right, some edge wear and small tears, Very Fine.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

Cover was correctly prepaid for the 14d rate via Southampton but sent via the Pacific. It should have been rated "6" cents due in San Francisco for a single-rate or "12" cents due for a double rate.
Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Opening US$ 900.00
Sold...US$ 900.00


Closed..Jun-12-2020, 19:09:03 EST
Sold For 900

Sale No: 93
Lot No: 4070
Symbol:

image Australian States: New South Wales, 1864 (Aug. 23) Sydney, New South Wales to San Francisco Cal. Blue cover bearing New South Wales, 2d blue, strip of three, tied by two strikes of "N.S.W." oval duplex with "Sydney, AU 23 '64" cds, carried as endorsed by ship Amateur via Pacific Ocean to San Francisco, entered mails with sharp "San Francisco Cal., Jan 25, 1865" cds and matching "Ship4" due handstamp; tone spot, couple edge tears, right stamp small flaws, Very Fine.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

Correctly rated "4" for cover to port-of-entry as specified by blanket rate of July 1864. The 2¢ local letter rate plus 2¢ ship fee.
Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Opening US$ 425.00
Sold...US$ 425.00


Closed..Jun-12-2020, 19:09:35 EST
Sold For 425

United States
Via South America & Panama

Sale No: 93
Lot No: 4071
Symbol:

image Adams & Co. Express Broadside "California, Oregon and Australia, via Panama". 1853 circa broadside listing services offered and principal offices in the United States, file folds with top separated and reinforced, Very Fine and scarce.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

Opening US$ 150.00
Sold...US$ 150.00


Closed..Jun-12-2020, 19:10:10 EST
Sold For 150

Sale No: 93
Lot No: 4072
Symbol:
Cat No: 73

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image Australian States: New South Wales, 1854 (Mar. 6) Sydney, New South Wales to Boston Mass. via Peru. Blue folded cover bearing New South Wales, Laureate, 6d brown, plate II (Sc 19, SG 73), four margins, tied by multiple strikes of barred oval, matching "Sydney, N.S.W., FE*11, 1854" rimless backstamp, carried by private ship direct to South America (not via England as endorsed), then British packet to Panama and across Isthmus by mule and canoe to Aspinwall, contract steamship to New York where "Steamship 20" in circle due handstamp struck, Very Fine and choice.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.

A CHOICE NEW SOUTH WALES USE PREPAID FOR DOUBLE THE 3D PRIVATE SHIP RATE.

Cover was prepaid 6d for double the 3d private ship rate, but was treated as single rate in New York with 20¢ due for steamship rate over 2,500 miles.

Some private ships from Australia traveled across the Pacific direct to Panama, others first to Valparaiso or Callao. Mail to the United States west coast was then carried from Panama to San Francisco on Pacific Mail Steamship vessels. Mail to the eastern United States crossed the Isthmus to Aspinwall and went by contract steamships to New York.
Est. $1,500-2,000 (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000

Opening US$ 5,250.00
Sold...US$ 5,250.00


Closed..Jun-12-2020, 19:12:27 EST
Sold For 5250

Worldwide Stamps and Covers
Via South America & Panama

Sale No: 93
Lot No: 4073
Symbol:

image Australian States: New South Wales, 1854 (Mar. 25) Melbourne, N.S.W. to Fayetteville Vt. via Peru. Buff cover with blue embossed "Adams & Co., American & European Express, Melbourne, N.S.W." cameo on back flap, manuscript "13" express rating, carried out of mails as endorsed by Bark Orestes from Melbourne Mar. 25th to Callao, Peru, then via Panama where Adams's agent J.M. Freeman forwarded letter across Isthmus by mule and canoe, then ship to New York; small flaws including flap repair, Very Fine appearance.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED ADAMS & CO.'S EXPRESS MELBOURNE ENVELOPES.

Reference: Census of recorded covers in "Adams & Co.'s Express, the Melbourne Australia Branch", Allan Levy, Collectors Club Philatelist, May 1982.
Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Opening US$ 1,200.00
Sold...US$ 1,200.00


Closed..Jun-12-2020, 19:13:57 EST
Sold For 1200

France and French Colonies
Via South America & Panama

Sale No: 93
Lot No: 4074
Symbol:

image Australian States: Victoria, 1854 (Apr. 17) Melbourne, Victoria to Haverhill Mass. via Panama. Datelined blue folded letter with "Forwarded by Rogers, Warfield Lord & Co., Melbourne" forwarder's oval on reverse, carried as endorsed by American Steamship Golden Age from Melbourne May 5th, via Sydney May 12th and Tahiti May 24th to Panama arriving Jun. 19th, across Isthmus by mule and canoe to Aspinwall, then U.S. Mail S.S. Co. vessel to New York where "Steamship 20 Cts" in circle due handstamp struck; cover stained, Fine.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.

THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE ROGERS, WARFIELD & LORD FORWARDER HANDSTAMP. Est. $1,500-2,000 (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000

Opening US$ 1,200.00


Closed..Jun-12-2020, 19:14:16 EST
Sold For 0

United States
Golden Age

Sale No: 93
Lot No: 4075
Symbol:

image Australian States: New South Wales, 1854 (May 9) Sydney, New South Wales to Clarkstown N.Y. via Panama. Datelined blue folded gold rush letter bearing New South Wales, 3d green, tied by barred oval, carried as endorsed by Steamer Golden Age from Sydney to Panama arriving Jun. 19th, across Isthmus by mule and canoe to Aspinwall, then U.S. Mail S.S. Co. vessel to New York where "Steamship 20" in circle due handstamp struck, Very Fine.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

A coaling stop was made at Tahiti, but this route involved unfavorable winds and ocean currents which led to high coal costs for this inefficient paddle steamer.

Apparently only two covers to the United States have survived from this "Golden Age" sailing, the this lot and the following lot. See "Golden Age", Forster, Dale, The Informer, Oct, 2011.
Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Opening US$ 475.00
Sold...US$ 475.00


Closed..Jun-12-2020, 19:14:38 EST
Sold For 475

Worldwide Stamps and Covers
Golden Age

Sale No: 93
Lot No: 4076
Symbol:

image Australian States: Victoria, 1854 (Aug. 13) Hobson's Bay, Victoria to Salem Mass. via Callao, Peru and Panama. Blue folded letter datelined "Port Philip, Hobson Bay, August 13th 1854" from Capt. of the ship Shirley concerning safe arrival and discharge of cargo, sent by Adams Express agent on ship Albatross to Callao, then ship to Panama, entered mails with red "Forwarded by J.M. Freeman, Agent of Adams & Co. Express" oval handstamp, then privately by ship to New York, Very Fine and choice.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

THE ONLY RECORDED USE OF THE J.M. FREEMAN & CO. PANAMA FORWARDER OVAL ON MAIL FROM AUSTRALIA.

J.M. Freeman was Adams & Co. Express's agent in Panama until their dissolution in 1855.
Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Opening US$ 475.00
Sold...US$ 475.00


Closed..Jun-12-2020, 19:15:22 EST
Sold For 475

Sale No: 93
Lot No: 4077
Symbol:

image Australian States: Victoria, 1854 (Aug. 17) Melbourne, Victoria to New York N.Y. via Peru. Datelined folded letter endorsed "D. pr. "Crystal Palace" via Callao - Adams Express", carried by Adams Express on private ship to Callao, then privately to New York; horizontal fold, Very Fine.
Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Opening US$ 425.00


Closed..Jun-12-2020, 19:15:38 EST
Sold For 0

Great Britain and British Commonwealth
Golden Age

Sale No: 93
Lot No: 4078
Symbol:

image Australian States: Victoria, 1855 (c.) Melbourne, Victoria to Bridgeport Conn. via Callao, Peru and New York. Blue cover carried as endorsed by Adams Express on ship Tasmania to Callao, then by ship to Panama, railroad across Isthmus and ship to New York, flap with blue framed "Forwarded by the Adams Express Company from 59 Broadway N.Y." handstamp, overland by Adams & Co. to Bridgeport; some edge toning and flaws, Fine and scarce Adams & Co. Express use.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Opening US$ 190.00
Sold...US$ 190.00


Closed..Jun-12-2020, 19:16:04 EST
Sold For 190

Worldwide Stamps and Covers
Golden Age

Sale No: 93
Lot No: 4079
Symbol:

image Australian States: Victoria, 1855 (Apr. 22) Springs Ballarat, Victoria to Concord N.H. via Callao, Peru and New York. Gray cover with original letter datelined "Springs Ballarat, April 22, 1855" endorsed "by Adams & Co. Express" at left, carried by Ship Hastings to Callao, then British packet to Panama, across Isthmus by railroad, out of the mails to New York by USMS Co. vessel, entered mails bearing 3¢ dull red (11A), four margins, tied by "New-York, Jul 30" cds; bottom edge repaired, Very Fine appearance.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

Advertisements in Melbourne newspapers announced the dissolution of Adams Melbourne branch on March 1, 1855. Cobb & Co. succeeded Adams and may have forwarded this letter. The Panama railroad across the Isthmus was completed January 1855.
Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Opening US$ 550.00
Sold...US$ 550.00


Closed..Jun-12-2020, 19:16:37 EST
Sold For 550
United States
Golden Age

Sale No: 93
Lot No: 4080
Symbol:
Cat No: 2

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image Australian States: South Australia, 1855 (Aug. 23) Adelaide, South Australia to San Francisco Cal. via Panama. Cover bearing South Australia, 2d dull carmine (2) strip of three, large margins except touched at right, cancelled by manuscript and circle of bars killers, red "Paid, Adelaide S.A., AU23, 1855" cds and matching "Registered No." straightline, red manuscript "6" pence prepaid rating for registration fee, carried by private ship across Pacific to Valparaiso, then ship to San Francisco where "20" due handstamp for 20¢ steamship rate over 2,500 miles; cover tears and nick at bottom right, Fine, with 1997 Holcombe certificate and signed by him.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.

A RARE SOUTH AUSTRALIA REGISTERED USE TO THE UNITED STATES.

References: Illustrated and Discussed in Milgrams "Foreign Registered Mail: 1855-1875, Part Two: British" in the Chronicle May 2019, p. 180, fig. 20.
Est. $2,000-3,000 (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000

Opening US$ 2,300.00
Sold...US$ 2,300.00


Closed..Jun-12-2020, 19:17:20 EST
Sold For 2300

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